Good ED centres in UK (looking for internship)

[*****]

Hi,

I used to come here a lot several years ago. Since then I fully recovered from ED/SI/trauma/... and that was the perfect time for me to start studying clinical psychology (I wanted to be healthy before I started it).

I'm really happy with my choice and it's going very well. But there aren't a lot of jobs here in Belgium, so as a student it's a good idea to get as much extra experience as you can get outside of your degree.

So I was thinking of doing a summer internship in the UK (I have family there). Seeing as I would only be able to this for about a month I would need to pick a field that I know a lot about already. That's why I'm looking into ED treatment centres (both IP or OP).

In my own experience not all places are what they should be for treating ED patients. I'm very much for patients being motivated, taking responsibility and also working on underlying issues (not just refeeding). Anyone been to places they think might fit this profile? A plus would be if they have ex-patient staff, but that's probably still a bit not done (here it is anyway, don't know about UK).

Thanks a lot!

[Crazy Cat Lady]

Hi,

I'm so pleased you're doing well; I am ever so proud of you.

It's very hard to get clinical experience, especially in an eating disorder unit. I know a lot of units often advertise for nursing assistants/HCA's; maybe you can look into that?

All the best,

x

[EyelinerAndCigarettes]

Congratulations on getting healthy & following your dreams

The IP Unit I went to has won awards for excellence in IP treatment for Eating Disorders & they have personally saved my life twice. I would highly recommend it, but as Ginger said there's plenty of support worker jobs available in those units, I know mine was always looking for them...

x x x

[fragile as glass]

I'm speaking from personal experience of going IP to several different ED units in the UK and I think you would need to know what sort of people you want to treat in the future - i.e. children/adolescents or adults and then apply to the relevant units for 'work experience'. That would half your search margin. ED's may be your field but in this country children and adult units are run very differently and would give you very different experiences and in order to get the most out of your time in the UK you would want experiences that are relevant in your future field of work.

[LionCondemned]

^completely agree with above, i have been in both children/adolescent and adult ED services and they are incredibly different.