Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT) on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Recovery Support Services
in Tasmania
Butterfly’s Recovery Support Services (RSS) are dedicated to empowering people with eating disorders by providing support and guidance on the recovery journey.
Our mission is to help people achieve and maintain recovery within their own communities, offering both virtual and in-person programs.
We understand that a support network is vital, so we also provide services for the family and friends of those affected.
Support led by fully-trained peers
What sets RSS apart is our commitment to lean into the wisdom of lived experiences to inspire and uplift individuals on their path to recovery. Funded by the Tasmanian State Government, RSS operates through a fully peer-led team, affirming that lived experience is a form of expertise that is equally, if not often more valuable than traditional academic qualifications. Compared to other support systems, peer support offers three distinct advantages:
- Instilling hope through personal story sharing
- Modeling practical self-care strategies and skills for navigating everyday challenges
- Providing connection – a peer can often empathise directly and immediately.
Recovery Support Group
Butterfly’s Recovery Support Group provides a welcoming and accepting space where you can freely discuss your body image and eating concerns. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Where: ONLINE (ZOOM)
Time: Every Monday from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm (AEST/AEDT)
The group is facilitated by trained peer facilitators with lived experience of an eating disorder. Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend. While there is no set discussion, the focus is on supporting you with topics covering understanding, self-care, and recovery skills. We also run an in-person support group in Launceston. Please e-mail rss@butterfly.org.au. for more information about the in-person group.
Carer Support Group
Butterfly’s Carer Support Group provides a space where you can feel free to discuss topics related to your friend or loved one’s recovery from body image issues or an eating disorder. You can receive strength and support from others who are on the same journey as you.
Where: ONLINE (ZOOM)
Time: Every second Tuesday from 7:00pm – 8:30pm (AEST/AEDT)
Our groups are facilitated by trained facilitators who have lived experience of caring for a loved one with body image issues or an eating disorder. They can often relate to what you are going through. Anyone over age 18 from anywhere in Australia is welcome to attend.
“Emerging” Recovery Support Program
Butterfly’s Emerging Program is an 8-week psychoeducation and skills program for individuals experiencing an eating disorder or who engage in disordered eating. Emerging focuses on building skills and motivation to assist you with your recovery. It will help you:
- Increase your awareness of the effects of disordered eating on behaviour and thinking
- Identify and promote opportunities to explore what motivates you and what hinders your recovery
- Gain skills & strategies to keep you in track of your recovery vision and journey
- Reduce isolation and build your support networks.
Collaborative Care Skills Workshop (CCSW)
Based on the new Maudsley Approach, Butterfly’s Collaborative Care Skills Workshop offers evidence-based training in motivational interviewing and effective communication techniques to aid a friend or loved one in their recovery. You are also provided with support around self-care and wellbeing to reduce psychological distress, difficult emotions, and the burden of caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Our trained peer facilitators draw on the wisdom of their lived experience to encourage carers in their vital role of caring for a loved one, friend or family member so they can provide compassionate and skilled support.
Peer Mentoring for Recovery
Butterfly’s Recovery Peer Mentor Program (PMP) pairs our Peer Mentors with people recovering from an eating disorder in the community. The supportive relationship leans on the wisdom of the mentor’s personal, lived experience of recovery to help you set your own recovery goals and maintain the motivation to achieve them. A Peer Mentor can help with:
- Building self-awareness
- Utilising practical strategies for positive change
- Enjoyment of social contact and daily activities
- Navigating and accepting setbacks
- Acknowledging and taking pride in your achievements.
Peer Mentoring for Carers
The Carer Peer Mentor Program (PMP) pairs our Peer Mentors with people supporting a loved one in their recovery. We know family members and carers play an incredibly significant role, so our Peer Mentors provide opportunities to:
- Increase your understanding about eating disorders
- Learn new skills and strategies around communication
- Manage your own emotions and expectations
- Practice self-care during the potentially stressful experiences of a loved one’s recovery
- Navigate and accept of setbacks
- Acknowledge and celebrate achievements.
If you have any questions about resources and support for body dissatisfaction or eating disorders in Tasmania, please contact our Recovery and Support Services Team at rss@butterfly.org.au.
Butterfly’s Recovery and Support Services in Tasmania are kindly supported by the Tasmanian Government.
