NEDA Navigator Guidebook
Not for public distribution. For exclusive use by official NEDA Navigators
NEDA Navigator
Volunteer Job Description
NEDA Navigators (NN) are trained volunteer members of the Parent, Family & Friends
Network (PFN) who connect locally to families and friends of those with eating disorders
in their communities. NNs are supported with ongoing training by program Clinical
Advisors and NEDA founders, Doug Bunnell, PhD and Ilene Fishman, LCSW, and NEDA
staff. Navigators provide support by:
1. Helping contacts find local resources, treatment options and support groups
2. Directing contacts to helpful websites, books, articles, NEDA resources, etc.
3. Sharing their personal stories responsibly to provide insight, strategies for self-
care and hope for recovery
4. Encouraging contacts to keep supporting their loved one (or the contact) to seek
professional help
5. Being a listening ear as contacts are going through what can be a difficult journey
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.
NEDA Navigators will:
1. Agree to receive a minimum of 2 hours of training from a NEDA staff and Clinical
Advisors designated by NEDA
2. Sign an official agreement acknowledging that they keep all information and
interactions confidential and a disclaimer that NEDA is not responsible for their
personal communication with contacts. Documents that must be signed and
returned to NEDA:
Navigator Volunteer Job Description ▪ Page 1
©2012 National Eating Disorders Association. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction or other use of this outline without the express written consent of the National Eating Disorders
Association is prohibited.
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