The Support Group is one of our best tools in Recovery. By definition, “Support” is an essential component and the Support Group offers several ways of healing.
We all walk around with some level of alienation, convinced that if others knew our secrets, we would be rejected- a particularly painful aspect of struggling with food and hating our bodies. Learning we are not alone dispels this fear- we will find someone in these rooms who relate to our fears, misconceptions, and behaviors.
Groups offer Hope, impart Information, and can be an invaluable source of Feedback. Joining a group is a choice to be open to building relationships in the world- to practice expressing ourselves to others and to learn their experience of us in a safe setting.
And groups provide a unique opportunity to reflect on our original Family experience- the time when a Disordered Eating pattern often took hold. What worked for us then- the way our ED protected us at the time- can be understood as something we no longer need as we develop new ways to interact with people in our world today.
Although Groups are not a substitute for Individual Psychotherapy, Nutrition Counseling, and Medical Treatment- they are an affordable addition that can save time and money. Groups are also used as a first step and as the final stage in the Full Recovery process.
Most groups are ongoing and at any given time, there are new ones being formed. If a group looks interesting, but is still “In Development”, please contact the leader, sign up, and be patient as they gather members for a start date.
