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Eating Disorders Devon

@eatingdisordersdevon

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Eating Disorders Devon works with anyone adversely affected by a relationship with food, the sufferer, parent, carer, sibling or friend.

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This weeks marks the beginning of retirement from my private practice 'Eating Disorders Counselling Services Devon'.

I set up 'EDCSD' thirteen years ago to help clients who were aware that their relationship with food was having a detrimental affect on their lives. It did not need to be a fully diagnosed Eating Disorder, and no one need to qualify for help. My practice enabled clients to talk about their concerns and receive trained support. I based my business model on that of 'SWEDA', with whom I trained, and it has always been clear from the beginning how badly this service is needed.

The presenting issues from clients have become more complex over the years, and clients have become younger. There are many reasons for this, however it is clear that we need earlier discussions about food, bodies, diversity, resilience and ways to navigate this truly bonkers world, where people are convincing us that our bodies are not good enough.

Whilst retiring from my private practice, I will be working with @thebodyhappyorg, and amazing organisation that completely aligns with my thoughts, aims and principles. I will be going into schools, opening up important discussions about having a good relationship with our amazing bodies, instead of hating them. If you would like more information of this, please do let me know.

Being a therapist is a very special role. We are privileged to be let into peoples and family's lives, often when they are incredibly vulnerable. Trust and respect is a two way process, and it has to be built over time, and I appreciate that it can be really scary for clients, and take a huge amount of courage to confide in a stranger, especially during Covid when all sessions where suddenly taken on line.

For any clients reading this, thank you. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for all the hard work you put in, thank you for allowing me into your life, so that I could enable you to recover. I do not expect any acknowledgement of this post, as confidentiality is the corner stone of the work, but thank you to each and everyone of you.

I will be taking some time off in September, but will be back to start new beginnings in October

Gill x by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

After thirteen years of running my private practice, the time has come for me to bring things to a close and venture into some new areas of work.

I have huge respect and admiration for all my clients and their families who have been affected by an eating disorder, and the battles they have faced. It has been a privilege to have been able to help and support so many clients over the years, and my work has been challenging but so rewarding. So thank you for putting your trust in me and for letting me enable you to move forward and heal.

‘Eating Disorders Counselling Services Devon’ comes to a close at the end of August, I then hope to use my skills and knowledge to help in other areas of this work.

Thankyou

Gill
X taken in Exeter, Devon by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

Recently I have been working alongside an organisation called Body Happy Org. This non profit organisation is so aligned with my thoughts, beliefs on body image, it’s feels like coming home.

I then find that two female swim coaches are attempting to swim the channel later this year to raise funds for Body Happy Org, and this seemed to be another sign that I was working with the correct organisation.

Swimming is huge passion of mine, and I know that many people do not participate in this sport because they feel very exposed in a swimming costume. Evidence shows that young children give up swimming and other sports at quite a young age because of feeling self conscious in their bodies.

So, I wanted to share The Coastal Swim Cast podcast which articulates better than I can, this huge topic of being happy in our bodies, swimming, worrying about what we look like, feeling we should look a certain way, this topics affect everyone all ages and all genders and how hugely important that is. It also gives more information on the work of Body Happy Org.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IOZeUtWdMlGd8Fuw91Ubi?si=m7CHv1gPR8yNXeM0gkoE0g&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A1bnAwpY8TzVtyeM0VPpOVX by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

One of my favourite days of the year is teaching the children at Whimple Primary School that all bodies are great, especially their own.

We had some really mature conversations about how it feels when someone comments on your body, and that actually the way that we look is probably one of the least interesting things about us.

We finished the session by producing some bunting, and each child wrote one thing that they would remember about the morning. It’s now on display in the shelter for the whole school to see.

Thanks Whimple Primary. If your school would be interested in some sessions to discuss this vital subject, please get in touch. taken in Whimple, Devon by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

A splendid afternoon was spent at Chudleigh Knighton C of E Primary School in Devon, supporting @mollyjforbes from @bodyhappyorg, run a creative body happy creative workshop.

This has been the first school in the country to run the new peer advocacy programme, where Year 5's take on a leadership role within the school and become ambassadors for body respect. The programme is amazing and I have witnessed first hand the conversations that young children are having about the insecurities around their body image. It is SO important that we open up this topic for children so that they can appreciate that bodies all come in a variety of shape and sizes and all are great!!!

Body respect still isn't something that is always talked about in education , but it needs to be. Poor body image affects how children show up in the classroom, how they learn, take part, whether they take part in sport, put their hand up in class and feel about themselves.

If your school would be interested in hearing more about what the @bodyhappyorg are able to offer please do get in touch.

AND........ if you are a school based in Devon, then there is a FULLY FUNDED offer available, as part of a project with Devon Schools Wellbeing Partnership (an initiative from Devon County Council.

#BodyHappySchools #BodyHappyOrg taken in Chudleigh Knighton by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

Such a pleasure to meet the pupils at Silverton Primary School yesterday and talk about Body Image. The children ‘got it’ and I feel are now slightly prepared to question the messages that they are already getting that their bodies are not good enough, and that they need fixing. If you are interested is a similar talk at your school or organisation, please feel free to contact me.
#bodyimage taken in Silverton, Exeter, Devon by @eatingdisordersdevon

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a year ago

And its over.....

After months of planning, the UK Premiere of 'Embrace Kids' has taken place. What an amazing evening, thank you so much to everyone who came and supported the event. It was so lovely to see so many children and young people in the audience, as well as people with influence in our schools and youth organisations.

The feedback has been overwhelming and so very positive. Thank you to Molly at @bodyhappyorg for working on the event with me. The @uniofexeter for sponsoring the event. and The @bodyimagemovement and Taryn Brumfitt for creating this amazing film, which has been so needed.

If you would like us to help you, to support the young people in your life to have an amazingly positive relationship with their bodies, then please do get in touch.

Gill
x by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago

Its tomorrow!!!

'Embrace Kids', 6.45pm at the Alumni Auditorium, the University of Exeter.

Its going to be amazing!!!

Please reserve your ticket before hand, it will help us enormously.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/gill-wilson-eating-disorders-devon-104699112191

See you there xx taken in Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, University of Exeter by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago

Only six days to go! Please reserve your seats before the evening, the link is below, and please contact us if you would like comp tickets.

This amazing documentary brings together vibrant stories from young people and celebrities who share their experiences of body image, social media, bullying, gender identity, advocacy, and more. It is a must see film for everyone aged nine years and up.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/gill-wilson-eating-disorders-devon-104699112191

Join us on Tuesday 25th February at 6.45pm at the University of Exeter. I would love to meet you, please come and say hello. taken in Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, University of Exeter by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago

Do you have a young person in your life aged nine years and up? If so, this event is for you and them.

'EMBRACE KIDS'
Tuesday 25th February 2025
6.45pm at the Alumni Auditorium, The University of Exeter.

Studies suggests that body image is the number one issue affecting our children, and we need to be part of the solution. It is alarming and heartbreaking that children are being held back by how they feel about their bodies. Imagine giving children the tools to move, nourish , respect and enjoy their bodies instead. 'Embrace Kids' explore the relationship children have with their bodies, why so many boys and girls hate their bodies and what we can all do about it.

See the trailer for an insight into the film.
https://youtu.be/mhQr2FjEeSM?si=FG3GCYYuwwVZDaaM

Comp tickets are available for schools and students, and anyone for whom the cost of a ticket is a barrier to attending. the Eventbrite link below give more information, but please do contact if you have any questions.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-premiere-of-embrace-kids-tickets-1117515090719?aff=oddtdtcreator

The event will include a Q& A with Molly Forbes, Exec Director and founder of Body Happy Org, and Gill Wilson, an eating disorder therapist and Founder of Eating Disorder Counselling Services Devon.

Please come and join this, it is a must see film for everyone. taken in Alumni Auditorium, The Forum, University of Exeter by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago

So excited to be promoting the first UK screening of 'Embrace Kids', which will be held four weeks today on Tuesday 25th February, at the University of Exeter. Doors open at 6.45pm, and we will be welcoming teachers, school counsellors , school nurses, youth workers, parents and young people to watch this must see documentary, and I would love you to be there too.

As an eating disorder therapist, I see the impact that it can have, when our young children begin to think that their bodies aren't good enough, that they need to change and fix them some how. Recent studies suggest the 'body Image' is the number one issue affecting our children and I want YOU to be part of the solution to fixing this. 'Embrace Kids' shows us how it is possible to give children the tools that they need to move, nourish, respect and enjoy their bodies .

The evening is being held in collaboration with Molly Forbes, the Executive Director of The Body Happy Organisation, an award winning certified social enterprise helping young people celebrate, respect and accept all bodies .

Tickets are available via the Eventbrite link below.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1117515090719?aff=oddtdtcreator
Complimentary tickets are available for schools and students, and anyone for whom the cost of the ticket is a barrier to attending. Please DM or send an email to info@eatingdisordersdevon.co.uk

I look forward to seeing you there.

Gill
x by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago

@eatingdisordersdevon and @bodyhappyorg are thrilled to announce the screening of Embrace Kids at the University of Exeter, 25th February from 6.30pm. This amazing documentary is by Taryn Brumfitt @bodyimagemovement, and features school aged children and young people from @theembracehub. The aim is to improve the body image of young people. Whilst suitable for an audience of 9-14 year olds, it is equally important for adolescents, teachers, parents, indeed anyone with a young person in their life to see this film. Everyone is welcome, please follow the link for tickets. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1117515090719?aff=oddtdtcreator. taken in University of Exeter by @eatingdisordersdevon

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2 years ago