Instilling Hope for Families with CEO of Eating Disorders Victoria Belinda Caldwell

On this week’s episode I am excited to be introducing you to our next special guest CEO of Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV), Belinda Caldwell. Belinda has extensive experience in both eating disorders and in the broader health sectors such as in health policy and program management. She has completed a Masters in Public Health and has been a renowned CEO at the Australian Practice Nurses Association where she had been a CEO for seven years. However, it was after Belinda had been personally deeply influenced by her daughter’s diagnosis with Anorexia Nervosa that she professionally began to pursue roles in the eating disorder space. Most recently, Belinda is known for her senior role at the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED) as a Carer Consultant and Project Manager where she played a crucial role in the development of resources for carers of loved ones battling eating disorders.

Belinda has not only worked to expand organisations in the state of Victoria but she has also worked for national organisations such as Eating Disorders Families Australia where she is currently a Founding board member and Vice- Chair. Belinda has also served as a Vice- Chair of the international nonprofit, Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorder (FEAST) up until her departure in 2019. However, it is Eating Disorders Victoria that she has created significant expansion of the organisational services since she joined the organisation in 2019. EDV is the largest community- based organisation in Victoria, funded by the government to provide support services for those affected by eating disorders. EDV offers services for Telehealth counselling services, telehealth nursing, Dietetic services, Carer Coaching, Carer Courses, A Peer Mentoring Program, workshops, group programs and a podcast called ‘Candid Conversations’.

On today’s episode Belinda shares her heartfelt story after her daughter Lucy was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa. Sharing how her and her family were deeply affected by her daughter's diagnosis and what resources they could draw on in order to maintain hope. Belinda also shares some of her experience and expertise gained working in the eating disorder space supporting families and loved ones of those affected by eating disorders. So please welcome Belinda!

Podcast Summary:

1. The experience of a parent of a child going through recovery from Anorexia Nervosa

2. Family Based Therapy

3. Online communities for carers

4. The difficulties with transitioning into independence after treatment

5. COVID- 19 and the surge of eating disorders in Victoria & worldwide

Eating Disorders Victoria

Website: eatingdisorders.org.au

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email