This week, I’m joined by the incredible Harriet Parsons, CEO of BodyWhys, the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland.

Harriet is a qualified psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. Alongside her clinical background, she’s passionate about education, advocacy, and making services more accessible and compassionate for carers.

Harriet joins us to discuss how services can better support the families, partners, and carers of people living with eating disorders, and why helping “the system around the person” is just as important as direct treatment.

Together, we explore:

• The Pillar Programme and how it builds carer resilience
• How Maudsley Carer Skills can empower families to support recovery
• The myth of the “perfect carer” and why presence > perfection
• The importance of meeting carers where they are emotionally
• Supporting professionals to better understand the carer experience
• How carers can change their approach to support recovery

Timestamps:

• 04:25 – Harriet’s pathway into ED work and psychotherapy
• 08:10 – Understanding the unique needs of carers
• 13:00 – Pillar Programme: what it is and how it works
• 19:15 – Maudsley Carer Skills & emotional coaching
• 24:45 – Why psychoeducation is game-changing
• 30:40 – What Harriet wishes more professionals knew
• 36:00 – Moving from “fixing” to “supporting”
• 41:50 – Final reflections and words of encouragement

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and caregiving. Please take care while listening.

Resources & Links:

• Visit Bodywshy

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• Read our latest blog here

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Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛