Important Note: Our ED therapist is on a short maternity leave and as a result, we have suspended participant applications in July and August for our Hand in Hand program. Please check back at the end of August. For participants who are currently on the Hand in Hand waitlist, please note that the matching process will be slower than usual at this time. Stay tuned for our next Hand and Hand training for volunteers, which is scheduled for September 28^th & 29^th. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Brenda Scott (brenda@lookingglassbc.com; 604-314-0548). For any volunteer-related questions, email volunteer@lookingglassbc.com. Thank you for your interest in Hand in Hand - we look forward to connecting with you soon.

Hand in Hand Support

hand-in-hand-support Hand in Hand offers caring, personalized, and confidential support to anyone sixteen years or older who wants to recover from an eating disorder.

The program pairs each participant with a well-trained Looking Glass volunteer whose background and interests suggest they'll be a good match. After an initial meeting to get to know one another a bit, the two agree to meet for regular (usually weekly) 60-90 minute conversations in person or via Skype.

While it isn't therapy per se, Hand in Hand helps eating disorder sufferers move toward recovery. This looks different for every individual based on the circumstances of their illness, where they are in their recovery, and what other treatment or support they are receiving. The idea is to support individuals wherever they are in their unique recovery journey and help them discover what they are capable of achieving, as they are ready. Many Hand in Hand volunteers have first hand experience with an eating disorder, so they know that recovery is possible and understand that an individual's struggle can have many dimensions. Our focus is on the whole individual, not just the eating disorder.
Regular, confidential, empathetic encouragement and support from a caring person who understands what it is to suffer from an eating disorder (and what it might take to get to the other side) can be a crucial missing piece for those who are reaching out for help for the first time, who are on wait lists for treatment, who are receiving treatment but need additional support, and/or are well into their recovery but need help with relapse management.
*Please note all participants must be medically and psychiatrically stable.

Here's how just a few Hand in Hand participants describe their experience:

"Hand in Hand support is a kind of lifeline -- someone who can meet me exactly where I am in my recovery, who believes in me, and who really listens. It keeps me from feeling like I'm falling through the cracks. It makes me feel like a person again, and that I matter."

"Just knowing she was there for me and wasn't judging me helped me out of a dark place."

"Hand in Hand has been the missing piece of my recovery journey. Before it, I felt totally alone with the secret of my eating disorder."

Hand in Hand support is provided at no charge and can continue for as many weeks or months as is helpful. Program oversight and mentorship is provided by Looking Glass ED Therapist.

Volunteers: If you are interested in being a Hand in Hand volunteer, you can sign up here.

Important Note For Those Interested in Volunteering: Because of the average age of our participants in this program, we are currently only accepting volunteer applications for Hand in Hand from individuals ages 25 and up. We are still welcoming participants ages 16 and up. Thank you for understanding. Please check back here for updates.

Special thanks to the Y.P. Heung Foundation for their generous support of the Hand in Hand program.

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