Developing Dolphins - free online training course for carers of people affected by eating disorders

Developing Dolphins is a set of free online training workshops for anyone caring in a personal capacity for someone with disordered eating, based on the principles of the New Maudsley method developed by leading expert Professor Janet Treasure. Learning online over five weekday evenings, you’ll find out more about eating disorders, gain an understanding of the driving forces behind them, and learn some techniques to help your loved one in recovery and look after your own wellbeing. Developing Dolphins is delivered by clinicians who work directly with people with eating disorders.

How much time will I need to commit?

There are five workshops in total, which run weekly for two-and-a-half hours.

What does Developing Dolphins cover?

You should finish Developing Dolphins with:

• An increased understanding of eating disorders and the psychology behind them.
• Strategies for encouraging recovery, including motivational interviewing, collaborative goal setting, and more.
• Understanding of how your own behaviour could maintain the eating disorder, and how to avoid this.
• Tips for taking care of your own wellbeing while your loved one is recovering.

'I attended Beat’s workshop when my 16-year-old daughter had relapsed after regaining weight in hospital. I was feeling very depleted and hopeless. I can now see light at the end of the tunnel and have hope I can use the skills learnt to help my daughter recover.'

You will hear from other families about their experiences and receive peer-to-peer support. Developing Dolphins will also include practicing your communication skills and understanding Beat’s services. Where possible you will hear from a Beat Ambassador on their lived experience of an eating disorder and in the final session you will develop an action plan to complete the workshop.