Supporting family and parents has always been a core aspect of our work. As part of this, we offer parents and families a free four week (1 evening per week) structured programme, incorporating both psycho-education and support, as well as practical advice and skills to help you support your family member towards recovery.

The PiLaR programme is delivered by Bodywhys, in support of the HSE’s Model of Care for Eating Disorders.

Understanding eating disorders, the mindset of a person, how to manage at home	Dealing with meal times, routines, different behaviours and triggers
Recovery – what is the recovery process and how does it happen?	Coping with relapse
Communication, active listening skills	Dealing with rejection/shut down/anger
Helping a person to accept help

Note: the PiLaR programme is only for carers, parents, siblings, family members, friends. It is not a programme for clinicians. We offer information/training/CPD for clinicians separately.

If you are a professional, a clinician, an allied health professional who would like to enquire about CPD training in eating disorders please email Harriet Parsons, our Training and Development Manager on harriet@bodywhys.ie

At present, Bodywhys staff are working from home due to COVID19, as per the Government’s guidelines. We therefore cannot take PiLaR bookings through the office landline, by phone. Please contact pilar@bodywhys.ie with any queries on PiLaR.

For supports doing COVID19, please see here.

As part of the ongoing support that the PiLaR Programme provides, having completed PiLaR, participants have the option of joining a twice monthly support group. This group has limited numbers and it is ONLY open to those who have attended PiLaR. Verification of attendance will happen.

Are you a sibling of a person with an eating disorder? Have you attended the PiLaR Programme? Would you find it helpful to attend a sibling only support group? We are looking for expressions of interest. If you would be please email pilar@bodywhys.ie to express interest.

Your name will be added to a list to be contacted in the event the programme comes to your county. Your personal information is not circulated outside of Bodywhys.

Since 2014, PiLaR has been delivered in:

• Antrim, Athlone, Carlow/Kilkenny and Cavan/Monaghan
• Cork, Donegal and Dublin
• Galway, Kerry, Laois, Limerick and Mayo
• Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford and Westmeath
• Online – during Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Evaluation by Prof. Fiona McNicholas and Dr. Ingrid Holme, UCD

• An evaluation of the PiLaR programme, by UCD, was published on 26/02/19.
• You can read the PiLaR Evaluation Report – PDF here.