Support Groups
The Eating Disorders Foundation participates in many different activities, but one of our key aims is to establish support groups in Sydney and seed community groups throughout country areas - both for families, friends and carers, and for those wanting to recover from eating disorders. Our groups have operated in different metropolitan locations since 1992.
We have professionally qualified volunteers highly experienced in the treatment of eating disorders who train our group leaders and provide in-service backup and supervision.
What can go wrong?
In past years other groups have often begun in a flash of inspiration - but so much depends on the continuing good health (physical and emotional) and on the interpersonal and group skills of the founding member. These disconnected groups tended to flounder after only a few sessions - reinforcing the failure and despair of other participants.
There has been a fear that group members might reinforce anorexic behaviours by exchanging “tips” or vying for anorexic “honours”. There was a suspicion that participants may wallow in mutual pain, pool grievances, set up antagonistic relationships with professionals, divert people from treatment programs and even offer simplistic solution and cures themselves. There was a fear that “self helpers” were well intentioned but naive.
Not so the Groups run by EDF!!!
Recovery groups run by EDF are not self help or treatment groups. Our groups are mutual support groups run by professional social workers who have themselves recovered from eating disorders. We are a group of people who meet because we share the common grief of days, months, years lost or squandered by our eating rituals. We support each other to find meaning and purpose beyond the obsession. We validate positive choices and changes and provide role models of people who have made it!
Emphasis is on recovery, not on illness. But while the illness and treatment itself may be bewildering and even frightening - we aim to be there as a resource - to support, to encourage, even to inspire.
Our groups cover specific areas in NSW, however we are would are interested in hearing from people in different areas of Sydney or rural areas who wish to participate in or run groups to reflect local issues, styles and needs.
If you would like to attend any of our groups, or would like some more information about the groups, please email us, or call the Support and Information line on 02 9412 4499. Please note we don’t give out the exact location of the groups via email for security and confidentiality reasons.