​Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders 2019 Conference

Event Start Date:
23/08/2019		Event End Date:
23/08/2019		Event Venue:
Adelaide Convention Centre

June will be co-hosting a workshop at the 17th annual ​Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders conference on Friday, 23 August 2019. See the full details below:

F4. Transforming lived-experience: An Innovative Approach to Eating Disorder Support and Recovery

By Olivia Soha , Uncovery Eating disorder coaching; June Alexander, The Diary Healer; Carly Harris, Recover Well

Lived experience, from people with eating disorder (ED) experience, and caregivers, is gaining a place in the heart of treatment strategies. The value of lived experience is gaining recognition among ED professionals. Australia is developing peer-mentoring programs, but more exploration is needed on how to best utilise ‘expert by experience‘ wisdom. ED coaching and mentoring is an emerging aspect of an overall treatment strategy. The coach or mentor works as an adjunct to the clinical team, helping the client to implement behavioural goals related to recovery.

Two of our presenters have extensive ED experience and, having rebuilt their lives, now work to help others. Olivia Soha, a certified ED coach, describes how a coach can complement and enhance the clinician’s work. June Alexander, a writing mentor and ED advocate, describes the national situation regarding mentor and coach training opportunities, and presents narrative strategies that clinicians can utilise with clients. Carly Harris, a dietitian specialising in supporting clients through ED recovery, discusses how coaches and mentors like June and Olivia can assist in transforming a client’s suffering into powerful self-awareness and a skill base that ensures the mindset for sustainable recovery. Time is allowed for group discussions on the current benefits and drawbacks of peer mentoring and coaching in Australia. Our workshop concludes with sharing the findings from our group discussions.