Eating Disorders
WHAT are Eating Disorders?
Food is a necessary part of life and we all differ in the food we like, how much we need, and when we like to eat. However, sometimes people use food as a way of coping or controlling/avoiding feelings by restricting their food intake, bingeing, purging or over-exercising.
ABOUT Eating Disorder Counselling
SAFA work with all different types of eating disorders. Our overall aims are to help you to:
- Understand the underlying issues behind your eating problem.
- Develop healthier ways of coping.
Past clients have told us that counselling also helped with:
- Body image.
- Depression.
- Self-confidence.
- Being more positive.
- Sleeping better.
- Anxiety.
- Self-esteem.
- Improved relationships.
- Feeling more assertive.
Counselling is a working relationship in which you are helped to explore and manage what is happening in your life. It provides a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space in which to explore the difficulties that you may be experiencing, in a way not always possible with family and friends.
Counsellors do not provide advice or offer magical solutions, but will help you to explore and identify thoughts, feelings and behaviours and understand yourself better. The counsellor will be like a companion on a journey, helping you to find ways of moving forward.
Everyone who suffers from an eating disorder will experience it in a different way and respond to different types of treatment. Our counsellors are able to work in a variety of ways, depending on the individual needs of the client.
WHAT to expect on the first appointment?
During your first appointment we will assess your needs. It can be useful for looking at what sort of issues you may wish to explore. This is also a chance for us to decide if counselling would be useful or not. If we both agree on future counselling sessions, a contract will be formed, which covers confidentiality, attendance etc.
For some people undertaking counselling can be a difficult journey but with the support of a counsellor many people do begin to feel better.
WHAT is confidentiality?
It is important that you are willing to attend regularly to make the best use of therapy. Counselling sessions usually take place once a week at an agreed time.
WHAT Is meant by Confidential?
This means that any information you disclose to your counsellor is private, and is not shared with anyone else outside of SAFA, unless you give permission to do so. There are, however, some exceptions where we cannot keep confidentiality, for example, due to severe risk to yourself or someone else or for legal reasons. These will be FULLY discussed with you during your assessment.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE!
SAFA FAQ`s
What age of people do SAFA support?
We work with clients aged 11+. There is no upper age limit.
Do you have support for drug and alcohol abuse?
We recognise that alcohol or substance misuse is a form of self-harm. We recommend that you have not been dependant on alcohol or drugs for 6 months prior to referring to SAFA.
Where can I get face to face support?
We offer counselling in Barrow in Furness, Kendal and several other locations around the county.
Where to get help?
The first place to start is your GP.
We recognize that it takes courage to speak openly about your worries and concerns, perhaps take a family member or a trusted friend along for support.
Talking to your Doctor
This can feel incredibly overwhelming and makes the way you are feeling very real, often when we are in the grips of an Eating Disorder we are in denial that there is a problem.
It’s everyone around us who doesn’t like it or is jealous of you being thin. When we are able to move out of denial we can see that we have a problem which needs help. Often we feel weak for asking for help but in fact it’s a strength.
Are SAFA counsellors qualified?
All of our counsellors are registered with the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).
Do you provide support and treatment for Eating Disorders?
The sooner someone is treated for an Eating Disorder, the better the chance of making a full recovery. We know that gaining access to treatment isn’t always as straight forward as we would like it to be.
SAFA is not a crisis service which can also be very frustrating for you. Because it takes courage to ask for help. What SAFA does offer is a professional 1:1 counselling to work with the core issues which are affecting you.
Self-Harm awareness for all.
"SAFA is commited to making a possitive difference to the lives of individuals who self harm and to those who support them”
SAFA is also committed to providing safe, ethical and professional counselling/psychotherapy services. We also offer professional training courses tailored to both individuals and organisational need.
Working in partnership with:
Cumbria Youth Alliance
Providing infrastructure support for organisations working with children, young people and families..
Morecambe Bay CCG
Clinincal Commissioning Group.
Referral Forms
To access SAFA counselling services
a referral form is required.
Self Referral
If you are a individual whom needs to self-refer, follow this link to take you to the referral process.
Professional Referral
If you are a professional practice and have a client to refer, follow this link to the referral process.
If you need to use our counselling services please fill out a Self Referral Form. If a Doctor or Profesional organisation is involved they can use the Profesional Refarral Form.
After filling out the referral you will initially be contacted by one of our trained counsellors via email. If you prefer to be contacted another way please specify on the form.
After filling out the referral you will initially be contacted by one of our trained counsellors via email. If you prefer to be contacted another way please specify on the form.
Each counselling session has a full cost of £85. We are inviting contributions of £35 per session payable at the beginning of each session which will reduce your waiting list time. If you tick yes we will be in contact with further information. Otherwise you will be added to the normal SAFA waiting list.
For any queries please contact us by clicking the link below.
For any queries please contact us by clicking the link below.
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Each year SAFA Cumbria provides counselling to hundreds of people to overcome their self-harming behaviours.
