Pamela Macdonald

I am a research psychologist, coach and trainer as well as having lived experience of supporting someone with an eating disorder. I am a passionate advocate of evidence-based research that equips carers with the appropriate information and tools that will help them best support their loved one through their eating disorder. I have worked with Professor Treasure and her team at King’s College, London since 2006 on the development of skills training interventions for carers of people with an eating disorder. Having had personal experience of the regular emotional challenges that can impinge upon the functioning of the entire family at different points along the recovery path, this has undoubtedly impacted and shaped my work in training and educating carers of people with eating disorders. As well as holding a PhD in psychological medicine (Eating Disorders), I also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. In recent years, I have been actively involved in supporting carers of people with eating disorders using the principles of motivational interviewing as well as the supervision of peer mentors and befrienders in their own work with people with eating disorders. I have co-edited a Clinicians Guide with Professors Janet Treasure and Ulrike Schmidt, written a handbook on How to Help Someone With an Eating Disorder and contributed to multiple peer reviewed papers in the academic literature.