Eating disorder recovery is possible, A talk by Alice Richardson peer support worker for eating disorders in the National Eating Disorders Recovery Centre NEDRC.
Thank you to Alice for her talk at 7th Irish National Eating Disorders Conference 2025 on eating disorder recovery.
Alice is a qualified Peer Support Worker based in the National Eating Disorder Recovery Centre (NEDRC) in Dublin and is the only full-time Peer Support Worker for Eating Disorders in Ireland. Alice is an Expert by Experience, having recovered from an eating disorder herself and successfully completing a level 8 certificate in ‘Peer Support Working in Mental Health’ in Dublin City University. Alice previously studied English Literature in Trinity College Dublin and has completed multiple Continuous Professional Development courses since commencing her role. Alongside her role as a PSW, Alice now supervises other student Peer Support Workers on placement in NEDRC. Alice’s lived experience, insights and support are not only gratefully received by clients, but also her team members. Alice is an active member of the multidisciplinary team, engaging 1:1 peer support sessions, meal time/post meal support and facilitating multiple therapeutic groups a week. Alice is very positive for change in eating disorders, is proactive in putting her words into action, a true advocate and leader.
Topic: ‘The role of a peer support worker as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team’
Peer Support Workers (PSW’s) provide invaluable lived experience insights into eating disorder recovery and service user needs that go beyond traditional therapeutic models (Repper and Carter, 2011). Acting as living, breathing examples of recovery, Peer Support is understood to be “the single most important factor contributing to changes towards more recovery-oriented services” (Repper, 2013). PSW’s offer emotional, practical, and social support, serving to improve a person’s overall well-being and enhance the outcomes of mental health care. Peer support has been linked to lower rates of hospitalisation, improved social functioning, and increased adherence to treatment plans (Davidson et al., 2012). This session will explore the role of a Peer Support Worker within the wider context of Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder treatment teams. I will highlight the differences between ‘Lived Experience’ and ‘Expertise by Experience’, while also exploring the specific role and responsibilities of Peer Support Workers in the treatment of eating disorders.
My goal is to answer commonly asked questions relating to Peer Support such as:
1. How does the role of a PSW contribute to the development of truly recovery-oriented services?
2. How do we integrate this role into existing infrastructure?
3. What is the value of lived experience perspectives of recovery from an eating disorder for both service users and clinicians alike? I will also focus on the concept of identity functioning in Eating Disorders, and specifically the role of a PSW in supporting the exploration and formulation of an identity beyond the eating disorder.
Thank you to Alice for her talk on eating disorder recovery and everyone else who supported eating disorder awareness week 2025, Click here for further information on the conference.
Other talks from member of National Eating disorders Recovery Centre
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NEDRC can help you and your loved one take that vital step to regain a happy, healthy life. Please use the contact details below to find out about our eating disorder treatment options available to you and your loved one. Contact NEDRC
Telephone: 01 564 4450 or Mobile: 087 7755996 / Email enquiries@nedrc.ie
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