Recovery
Group Leadership
Our Recovery groups are run by people who have either recovered from an eating disorder themselves or have been close to someone who has struggled with this illness. The facilitators have also acquired skills in group leadership either because they have professional qualifications in a relevant field - eg social work or psychology, or have participated in the Volunteer intern program provided by the Eating Disorders Foundation.
We aim to provide two facilitators at every group - to assist with the prevention of burn-out and to provide valuable feedback about the group. If you are interested in becoming a group facilitator there is information available about the Volunteer intern program under the Get Involved section of the site. You can also get in touch with us via phone or email for further information.
What to Expect
Our groups are not 12-step programs – such as Overeaters Anonymous. We have no religious affiliation, nor are we attached to any treatment program or clinic. We aim to provide a place for people in various treatment centres (or those who are still only thinking about getting treatment!) to discuss issues of mutual concern. The only rules we have about our groups is that you must maintain the confidentiality of the group members, and that you don’t have to feel compelled to speak if you are too hesitant or shy or nervous.
Our groups are not a substitute for professional treatment. We aim to support people to get the help they need. Different people have varying levels of illness and therefore require different forms of help. Many people tell us that they find the groups particularly helpful when they are on their own for the first time and feel at risk of relapsing.
Recovery Groups are only attended by people who have or who are experiencing an eating disorder. If you are a parent, partner, sibling or friend, the groups that are suitable are called Family and Friends, and you are most welcome to attend. Our Northern Districts group runs both a Recovery Support Group and a Family and Friends Support group on the same night at our Artarmon office. The two groups are held in separate rooms – but it is a good opportunity to bring family members, partners or friends who need more support for themselves or a better understanding of how best to support you.
Recovery Groups - The Experience
It took me three months to get to my first recovery meeting; six months to get to my second. It was not a long journey physically; quite the opposite, as the group met just a short drive away. However, metaphorically, I had come a long way to get there, and I know now I still have much of the road ahead of me.
Why is it so hard to attend a recovery group? There is a barrage of reasons, some of which I would like to discuss (now being an old hand at the recovery group!) in the hope it might help someone else.
When I first read about the recovery groups in the The Eating Disorder Foundation newsletter, I instantly thought I would like to go. But as the date rolled around, I couldn’t bring myself to go. This happened a few times before I had to face some of my fears about going. I was scared, mostly because I didn’t know what to expect, because I wouldn’t know what to say, and because I didn’t think I was sick enough to go- or recovered enough! (That last line of logic comes under what my husband has coined “anorexic head” !) So, having been there, let me dispel these fears which I’m sure some of you out there are having.
As far as not knowing what to expect, well that is an easy one. A recovery group always contains a few The Eating Disorder Foundation staff, and whoever else turns up on the night- all who have or are experiencing an eating disorder. So, it could be a small group, or a large group- no-one really knows! We sit in a circle and the The Eating Disorder Foundation staff “run” the group. There is no real structure, but there are always people at the meeting that have recovered from an eating disorder, and so after introducing ourselves and being told that the meetings are a safe place (what is said in group stays in group- this helps you feel more secure) the meeting will usually progress to people asking questions or sharing struggles they are having. It is a place to find people who understand what you are going through and will not judge you if you are finding it hard (after all, who doesn’t?). It’s not a place of competition, but of support and comfort.
If you are afraid of not knowing what to say in a meeting, that’s OK. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. I spent my entire first meeting absolutely terrified, not saying anything and looking frequently for the exits! But having been through that first meeting, it made it easier to come back again, and the second time I felt so at ease that I was happy to ask questions and offer encouragement to the other group members. I’m not saying that it will not be uncomfortable, everyone deals with it differently. However if you get over the uncomfortable feelings enough to listen in the group, maybe even contribute, you will hopefully find as I did that the groups can be very beneficial.
I didn’t think I was sick enough to go. Well let me tell you something – everybody thinks that before they attend a meeting. The truth is, the groups are there for anyone who needs help or wants to give it. If you feel like you want to go, you should. No limit in age, sex, degree of health or stage of recovery. Just go.
I wish I could tell you that after two recovery group meetings, I am fully recovered. Unfortunately that is far from the truth. However, it is not the responsibility of the group to get its members well, but to encourage us that complete recovery is possible, and to support us in the journey.
Brooke
Locations
Eastern Districts Recovery Group
Meetings held the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm.
Hills District Recovery Group
Meetings held the 1st Tuesday of every month at 8:00pm
Northern Districts Recovery Group
Meetings held the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00pm.
Inner West Recovery Group
Meetings held the 2nd Monday of every month at 6:30pm.
Sutherland Shire Recovery Group
Meetings held the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm.
Northern Beaches Recovery Group
Meetings held the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6:30pm.
Penrith Recovery Group
Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.
Campbelltown Recovery Group
Meetings held the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.
Central Coast Recovery Group
Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm.
Bathurst Recovery Group
Meetings held the 1st Monday of every month at 6:00pm
Northern Rivers Recovery Group
Meetings held the 1st Monday of every month at 6:00pm
Newcastle Recovery Group
Meetings held the 1st Wednesday of every month.
Wagga Wagga Recovery Group
Meetings held the 1st Monday of every month at 6:30pm.
If you are interested in attending one of the groups, or would like some more information - please give us a call on 9412 4499. Please note we don’t give out the location of the groups via email for security and confidentiality reasons.
Please watch this space for updates of group locations.