by Lydia Rhino (any/all), EDF Program Director

Did you know that The Eating Disorder Foundation (EDF) began 21 years ago with a single, in-person support group for the friends and family members of individuals battling eating disorders? A combination of passionate professionals with the desire to volunteer and brave community members with the desire to connect has allowed EDF to grow into the organization it is today. As of August 2024, EDF now has 13+ support and discussion groups running weekly with a majority being offered virtually and for individual support.   

Our team’s hope is for folks to not only attend groups, but to receive as many benefits as possible while attending (and beyond!). We’ve heard from folks throughout the community that these ways of engaging with – and in – groups has helped lead to deeper connection and momentum in their unique recovery journeys:   

• An understanding of the guidelines and how they allow for a supportive environment for folks at any place in their recovery  

• Arriving to group with an open and curious mindset about who you will meet and the discussions that will be had  

• Bringing an intention for what they hope to receive from group  

• Checking-in with themselves – prior to joining – to see if group feels like a helpful addition to their day  

• Coming to groups in addition to – not as a replacement for – therapy (EDF groups are not clinical therapy groups)  

• Identifying feelings (even the uncomfortable ones!) and sharing them with the group  

• Releasing expectations of perfection, for self and others  

• Using coping skills to manage distress when a personally difficult topic comes up  

We invite you to be curious about the ways you engage with and in groups that bring you supportive benefits. Consider if there are different ways of engaging that you’d like to welcome yourself to practice in group. Seeking out and joining a support group is an act of courage. We hope your courage can be met with lasting benefits of being part of a resilient and compassionate community. Our facilitated peer support groups represent one of the many programs that when fused together, create the solid foundation of The Eating Disorder Foundation.