The Therapist & Client Relationship for Long-Lasting Recovery with Rachael Alder-Byrne & Clare Steedman

In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Clare Steedman and Rachael Alder-Byrne. Clare and Rachael are the CEO’s and founders of TEDS – The Eating Disorder Specialists.

Clare and Rachael's approach at TEDS allows them to see their clients as individuals with their own difficulties and recovery journey ahead of them, and use the client's past, present, and future to support clients in moving away from their eating disorder.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

  • How TEDS work with their clients to determine what recovery may look like for them, and how they tailor their work together to achieve this.

  • Changes that occur in recovery, and how a client's identity, motivations, and values which are centralised around their eating disorder need to be addressed in recovery with the support of a therapist.

  • The role of fear and the unknown in holding someone back from eating disorder recovery, and how this can be overcome by trying something different.

  • The development of new coping mechanisms rather than leaning into old behaviours, the importance of practice and patience to normalise novel, positive behaviours.

  • The psychotherapy tool EMDR and how this process can be used to help clients reprocess trauma that may be holding someone back from eating disorder recovery.

To find out more about Rachael and Clare and their work at TEDS, you can find them on social media @teds_edspecialist or visit https://edspecialists.co.uk/. You can also find the BEAT help finder mentioned in this podcast here: https://helpfinder.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

Recent Posts

Exploring Addiction & Eating Disorder Stigma & Support
By Hannah Hickinbotham June 9, 2025
In this blog post, we explore addiction and eating disorder stigma and why this support matters beyond Men’s Mental Health Week.
Using Family-Based Therapy to Support Eating Disorder Recovery
By Hannah Hickinbotham May 26, 2025
Family-based therapy empowers families to support children and teens in eating disorder recovery. Learn how it works and why it’s effective.
Treatment Resistant or Systemic Failure? Reframing “Untreatable” Eating Disorders
By Hannah Hickinbotham May 19, 2025
In this blog, we explore whether eating disorders are truly untreatable or if treatment models need to evolve. Featuring insights from Dr. Anita Federici and recent research on "terminal anorexia."
The Power of Community in Eating Disorder Recovery for Midlife Women
By Hannah Hickinbotham May 12, 2025
Discover how community can transform eating disorder recovery for midlife women. Learn why connection, support, and shared experiences make healing possible.
Navigating Menopause and Cultivating Positive Body Image
By Hannah Hickinbotham May 5, 2025
Researcher Sophie shares how body appreciation can support mental health and quality of life during menopause. Learn about the science and practical takeaways.
Supporting Disordered Eating & RED-S in Athletes
By Hannah Hickinbotham April 21, 2025
Understanding disordered eating in athletes, RED-S, and how sports culture normalises under-fuelling with an eating disorder dietitian.
Show More