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Communication skills to support your child and be more effective
$38.00
Description
The price is flexible: see below
Why this workshop?
Treatment for our children is tough, at a time when the eating disorder puts them in a highly distressed state. While previously, we parents did a perfectly fine job and had happy, loving children, suddenly we need to skill up.
Without new skills, our homes become war zones, or we're constantly walking on eggshells. Parents ask, "What should I say when…?"
When we get better at connecting with our children, we reduce their distress, bring a vision of wellbeing, and make it easier for them to go through the challenges of treatment.
"I never won on the strength of my argument […], I won on the strength of our relationship"
(Psychologist Xavier Amador, talking about psychosis, but I think it's just as applicable to eating disorders)
When we're skilled at connection, we are imparting emotion-regulation tools that help them grow confidently independent, and that will serve them well in all their relationships.
It's good for us too: we find more wellbeing when we know we can connect with our children, even though many youngsters have an impulse to reject us. We get less conflicted when we know how to be loving and compassionate while also, where necessary, being firm and persistent.
I have studied and compiled much of what is known on communication and connection. While there are various 'schools' and methods, the principles are the same everywhere, and that is what I will share with you.
The content will be similar to Chapters 13 to 15 of my book, and of many of my Bitesize audios, but of course, it will be more interactive when we're together.
"Such helpful and practical tools to be gained in a safe and confidential space. I would highly recommend for both parents and/or anyone working with parents or clients with eating disorders."
From Leona Monaghan, psychotherapist, 2live Psychotherapy, Ireland
Content of this one and a half hour workshop
- First, brief introductions to make you feel welcome and connected to everyone — feeling you're with like-minded souls is a benefit of groups.
- I focus on a few of the most effective tips for dialogue that nurtures connection and makes it more likely you will be effective.
- I demonstrate them on some of your own situations (anyone up for a short demonstration, that works well, but I can also use hypothetical typical situations).
- We address your questions, which usually are highly relevant to others
Who is it for?
This is for parents or carers who have a child or teen with an eating disorder, living at home. Relatives are also most welcome.
As this is about communication, you can be at any stage of the treatment journey and this should be relevant to any type of eating disorder. Note that if your main issue is around meals, you will get more help in my "Essentials" workshops. My field of knowledge is mostly around children/teens with anorexia or similar.
Clinicians, you are very welcome too. Please contact me after you've booked, so I know to check with parents, should there be any objections, at the start of the workshop. Parents, if you are worried about a clinician you know being there, you are welcome to contact me.
More workshop information
It's all here. And in particular:
Don't let money be an obstacle
Although a price (in your preferred currency) is displayed for this workshop, you can use a coupon at checkout to get whatever reduction you may need. Details here.
Limitations of the workshop
The workshop aims to expand your toolbox, not to tell you what to do, which could be dangerous. Check everything with your clinicians.
To keep everyone comfortable, safe and private
I will be reminding everyone not to record. I am want to guard the privacy of all those who attend, and their children's.
You will get follow-up emails with lots of resources, though.
And I cover communication in my Bitesize audios. In my book, it's everywhere and in particular in Chapters 13 and 14.
I'll be asking everyone to turn their video on, so we feel connected. I can better respond to everyone's needs when I see them. Although this is my preference, especially for this workshop which will be quite interactive, if this doesn't work for you, you are welcome all the same.
Cancellations and refunds
I know things can be unpredictable. If you can't attend a workshop you booked, contact me, and I'll give you a voucher to get you onto any other workshop at a time of your choosing. More here.
Technical difficulties with booking in
I've got troubleshooting tips for you here and of course you're welcome to contact me.
Aftercare
Please sign up to my mailing list as I aim to send you more resources after the workshop, including my slides and an overview of the tools we discussed.
Anon –
A short note to thank you for the session yesterday, your calming and supportive approach was wonderful. I had, of course, read your book, but the in person session really helped to bring it all to life.
My daughter had been politely refusing to talk to be about her ED, because I go on to long, because I intrude on her personal space and because I let my own anxiety dictate my behaviour. Since the session, I have filled my heart with love for her before any interaction, some of which are by text message (on her request) and I am already seeing a more positive line of communication showing. It also occurred to me that something might need saying, but it doesn't need saying immediately, or all at once!!
I am concerned she is not eating as much as she should be (school lunch for example) when I am not there, and the after school snack is being avoided. I want to tackle ALL of that this minute, Instead, I have focused on the snack, gently reminding her that it has to be eaten and insisting it is. Her response by text was "OK Mum, love you too xx" – I can deal with the part about lunch in a few days once the snack has been re-established.
I wouldn't have done that before the session, I would have been all in as the fixer trying to resolve it all at once.
So thank you! I appreciate your work greatly and will definitely attend more courses as they are available. You do unbelivable work for so many and I have much gratitude for that.
Anonymous –
This workshop was a great complement to Eva's book, and brought many of the techniques described in there to life. Her calm, kind and compassionate approach soothes the parents as well as the child. I left feeling empowered and ready to go into the next challenging conversation with a new approach. Thank you Eva!
Anonymous –
Really useful workshop, as all Eva's are. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skills, they are invaluable.
Anonymous –
Thank you Eva, very helpful input. Focused on every day problems and questions.
Anonymous –
Eva, thanks so much for your workshop on Compassionate Communication. I knew it would be relevant, despite my daughter‘s more advanced age. When our children are in an agitated state they do need to have their minds calmed in order to “get our messages.” Funny how something like this makes perfect sense, but when we are on the battlefield we can’t figure it out on our own. THANK YOU for so generously sharing your wisdom and clearly describing how to do it.
The message underneath –
Each time I finish one of Eva's courses I'm able to implement more of her suggestions into my relationship with my daughter and I've found it useful to participate more than once in the same course.
Eva's communication course has assisted me in managing the intense moments of emotional outpouring with better grace and more courage. As Eva points out we are being asked to gently guide and hold the journey for our children and it's easy to get lost ourselves.
Thanks to this course I'm learning to listen with love before trying to "do or solve" anything , I keep my hand on my heart to hold myself steady when I feel panic arising and l try not to react to the behaviour but instead attempt to understand the message hidden underneath my daughter's words or actions and attend to her real needs with kindness.
Non violent communication, compassion, respect and connection can only make us better parents no matter how the journey to recovery goes for our children. Thanks Eva
Sarah –
The communication workshop was brilliant. It was open, honest and I came away with some very clear and concise ideas on how to communicate and connect with my child. It gave me the confidence of knowing when – and when not – to speak and more ideas on what to say – and also how to say them. I now feel calmer and more equipped to deal with the more difficult situations that arise.
And I’ve found the techniques helpful with my youngest daughter who isn’t suffering from anorexia. The advice in the workshop is so useful in so many situations.
Thank you so much Eva!
Anonymous –
The communication workshop helped me to see that it is possible to communicate with our child and build that up. My daughter had not spoken to me for over a year and if she did, it was the illness speaking hurtful words. We are communicating again in small steps and real words through love, compassion, and Eva's guidance. Very grateful for this!
Victoria –
Eva's work is so helpful; her calm and thoughtful approach works best in our house. This workshop made me realise that I am already doing some of the 'right stuff' which boosted my confidence and also gave some simple tips to support my child further. It also highlighted some of the habits / phrases that I used from reading other literature / attending courses that perhaps aren't so helpful. I came away with renewed hope that my child and I can beat this together. Thanks Eva!
Parent –
I attended Eva’s workshop of communication and tried the suggested techniques on compassionate communication with my daughter.
I started with empathy and then repeated back what I was hearing and asked if that was correct. The difference was immediate and wonderful.
Instead of me offering direction or advice and my daughter refuting me, we had a real conversation. And when I repeated back what she was saying…she recognized for herself that her thinking was distorted by her eating disorder.
Thank you, Eva for sharing this technique. So valuable.