An outreach of the Parent, Family and Friends Network

Are you new to an eating disorder diagnosis for yourself or a loved one? NEDA Navigators are here to support you!

What is a NEDA Navigator?
Navigators are volunteers that have experience navigating the complex and overwhelming systems and emotions involved with the diagnosis and process of seeking help for an eating disorder. Volunteers are trained by NEDA staff and Clinical Advisors and NEDA founders Douglas Bunnell, PhD and Ilene Fishman, LCSW, to be a knowledgeable, informal source of support and guidance to those who are new to the illness.

Navigators provide support by:
1) Helping you find local resources, treatment options and support groups
2) Directing you to helpful websites, books, articles, NEDA resources, etc. 
3) Sharing their personal stories to provide insight, strategies for self-care and hope for recovery
4) Encouraging you to keep supporting your loved one (or you) to seek professional help
5) Being a listening ear as you are going through what can be a difficult jouney
6) Helping navigate insurance issues for treatment coverage
7) Providing a listing of organizations that offer treatment scholarships and research studies that offer free treatment 
8) Decreasing feelings of isolation for those who do not know anyone that has dealt with an eating disorder

*Navigators are not treatment professionals and do not provide mental health services. They provide informal, personal support through a difficult journey, and direct individuals and families to the professional help they need.

How do I contact a Navigator? 
Email pffnetwork@myneda.org, and include your city, state, and any specific aspects of the issue you are dealing with in order to help us determine the best Navigator match for you. We can match you by proximity to your location, similarity of experience (type of eating disorder, gender, co-occuring conditions such as substance abuse or depression, etc). We will send your request to the best Navigator for you within one day of receiving your message. Navigators respond to new messages at least once per week. For immediate assistance, call the NEDA Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

Become a Navigator
If you have experience dealing with an eating disorder and are well into your own or your loved one's recovery, you can be a NEDA Navigator!

Future training opportunities will be posted here. To be placed on the registration notification list for upcoming trainings, email admin@pfn.nationaleatingdisorders.org. All registrants must meet the Navigator critieria. View criteria below.

NEDA Navigator Criteria 

All NEDA Navigators must be able to answer "True" to the following statements in order to complete training and become a Navigator.

I have personally experienced an eating disorder and am now well into my recovery OR I have a friend or family member who struggled with an eating disorder and is now well into their recovery OR I have lost a loved one to an eating disorder and well into my own healing process. 

I am not an eating disorders professional (treatment provider for clients with eating disorders).

I will check my Navigator email and respond to all new messages a minimum of once per week. 

I am willing to read all documents in the NEDA Navigator Guidebook prior to training (received by training registrants at least 7 days in advance of the training date).

I am willing to keep a record of my time spent volunteering as a Navigator and will submit my time sheet to NEDA on a quarterly basis.

I am willing to fill out a 5-10 minute evaluation survey after training and an annual 20 minute evaluation survey.

Find a Navigator in your state!