Aim
The aim of this project is to use the internet as medium to support primary caregivers of patients with an Eating Disorder (e.g Anorexia Nervosa).
In weekly administered chat-sessions primary caregivers can chat with a professional for Eating Disorders and others who may go through the same difficulties.
"Caregivers are the experts"
Research studies support the use of family-based therapy. Multifamily Therapy in particular has proven to be an effective treatment approach to meet the specific needs and requirements of families who care for a loved one with an eating disorder.
An eating disorder normally affects not only the "ill" patient but the whole family. Primary caregivers often feel helpless, overburdened or even responsible for the eating disorder of their loved one. Our chat-platform "Get-Connected" is a professional guided self-help forum that brings together primary caregivers who support a child or a partner with an eating disorder. Primary caregivers have the deepest understanding of the daily struggles with all aspects of an eating disorder. In weekly chats they can share their insights, feelings, thoughts and concerns about the eating disorder, and give and receive support.
Participate in "Get-Connected"
To take part in our project "Get-Connected" primary caregivers have to meet the following criteria:
1. Child/Partner has a diagnosed Eating Disorder
2. Child/Partner lives in household with primary caregiver/s
3. Stable and fast internet connection
If you meet the above mentioned criteria and want to take part in our program "Get-Connected" please register by clicking on the button "Registration" and complete a short screening interview. After registering you will receive an E-mail with further information and instructions.
"Get-Connected" - Caregivers are the experts
... is a chat support forum. Our chat-sessions are designed as open groups for 3-10 participants (parents, spouses, partners of a patient with an eating disorder). Chat sessions will be administered weekly (over 12 weeks), for 1.5 hours and supervised by a professional for eating disorders. After every chat-session participants will be asked to complete a short evaluation.
If you want to register for "Get-Conncected" please make sure to take part in our chat groups on a regular basis and answer the questionnaires after every chat session. After logging in, you will have access to further services of "Get-Connected" (enter the chat room or complete the questionnaires.) To test the efficacy of our chat program we ask you to complete questionnaires (accessed by clicking on the Measures button) before the chats begin, after 6 weeks and at the end of our program (after 12 weeks).
"Get-Connected"
Our support forum "Get-Connected" is a collaborative project with the Center of Psychotherapy Research (CPR) at the University Hospital Heidelberg in Germany and the Psychiatric Clinic 1 at Charles University in Prague. The therapeutic responsibility is hold by the Psychiatric Clinic 1 in Prague. The technical equipment and support is carried out by CPR. The research project is funded by the EU.
Expert monitoring
Dipl.-Psych. Annette Mehl
Psychiatric Clinic 1 Prague
Ke Karlovu 11
120 00 Prague 2
Medical & Psychological Monitoring
Prof. Dr. Hana Papežová PhD.
Dipl.-Psych. Annette Mehl
Psychiatric Clinic 1 Prague
Ke Karlovu 11
120 00 Prague 2