Eating Disorders Group Therapy

The Recover Clinic runs a number of specialist eating disorder therapy groups which provide treatment and counselling for sufferers. Each group enables its members to confront their destructive behaviours and to express their thoughts and feelings in a constructive way.

Participants see improvements in their self-esteem, learn about eating disorders and improve their ability to communicate with, and relate to, others.

For many people entering eating disorders group therapy sessions, it will be the first time that they will have been in a room of people who understand exactly what it is like to dealing with what they are going through and that in itself can be a big comfort.  We run a huge number of groups here at the clinic from talking therapy groups, to art led groups to movement therapy.  We can advise you as to what type of group might be best suited to you and where you might feel most at home.

When people first begin eating disorders group therapy, the group they join devotes time to welcome and support its new members through what can be an emotionally challenging time. Group members create a place of trust which allows participants to feel safe enough to talk personally and honestly. All members make a commitment to keep the content of the groups completely confidential.

All eating disorder group therapy at Recover is facilitated by an experienced and dedicated psychotherapist. Groups hold up to a maximum of eight members.

Our eating disorders evening therapy groups

Mixed eating disorders therapy group • Monday evening • 6.30pm – 8.30pm

This is a mixed gender therapy group in which members are working towards recovering from an eating disorder.  We welcome anyone suffering with an eating disorder who would like a safe space to talk about the feelings, emotions and difficulties that they face as a result of their illness.  This group is run by our Clinical Director, Emmy Gilmour, who is an eating disorders.

Adolescents eating disorders group • Tuesday evening • 5.00pm – 6.30pm

Hastings Baumker runs a therapy group for young women aged between 13 and 17 years who are struggling  to recover from anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or compulsive over-eating. The purpose of the group is to help young women find a voice strong enough to express how they feel so that they are not forced into dependence on an eating disorder as a way of coping with their emotions.

Adults eating disorders group • Tuesday evening • 6.00pm – 7.30pm

This group is for women only.  All members of the group have a dual diagnosis which means that they are struggling with more than one issue.  For instance, they may have both depression and an addiction to alchohol; or they may have both an anxiety and an eating disorder.  The focus of the group is on teaching members how to build intimate relationships with others while keeping themselves safe and maintaining healthy boundaries. Sara Shammas runs this group.

Women’s eating disorders group • Wednesday evening • 6.00pm – 8.00pm

All the women in this group are in recovery from an eating disorder.  This is a therapeutic space for members to talk about the challenges they face as a result of living with their illness.  Group members are committed to supporting each other. This may include telephone or text conversations, or informal meetings, throughout the week and during holiday periods.  The group is run by our therapist Sophie Frost who specialises in working with both women who have eating disorders and those that have experienced trauma.

Body work group • Monday evening • 6.00pm – 8.00pm

The aim of the group is to promote a new relationship between the body and self. The group is based on a holistic approach linking mind, body and emotions. Our bodies are the mediums in which we experience our physical lives, but they also reflects our personality, our thinking and  our emotions. Often, there are times we feel disconnected and out of sync within ourselves and our bodies. Through the use of dance and movement we begin to reconnect with our bodies, which helps us to realign ourselves within them. Dance helps to rediscover our bodies’ potential in a creative way and the therapeutic value of dance is explored; building self-esteem, confidence and self awareness.

Through a series of sequences, we warm up and develop movement together whilst strengthening physical awareness and facilitating relaxation. The dance becomes both an enjoyable and challenging means of self-expression. Whilst the movement grounds us in the body, the mind is focused on the dance. This often helps create a space for self-reflection and development, that supports the participants’ overall process at Recover.  Kate Snowden is also a trained movement therapist and is experienced in working with people who either have a lack of connection to their bodies or with people who find that they struggle to express themselves verbally.  We welcome people looking for help in all areas of their lives.

Eating disorders group • Thursday evening • 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm

Men and women who are members of this therapy group are in recovery from all types of eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia and compulsive binge eating disorder.  Members are working at re-establishing their personality and sense of purpose:  how they relate to one another, how they communicate in an authentic voice and how they build intimate relationships.  Importantly, they are working to create and maintain stability within their recovery.  Kate Snowden leads this group.

Our eating disorders daytime therapy groups

“Social Life” eating disorders therapy group • Monday lunchtime • 1.00pm – 2.30pm

Topics within this group include image, identity, social pressures/anxiety, self-esteem, Self consciousness, and healthy relationships (esp. family, friends, social relationships).  The group heals low self-esteem issues and teaches members how to be comfortable “being real” in social settings.  Group members discuss experiences with cliques, friendship groups, and popularity.  Many women are still wounded from being bullied in their teens. For some, this was the start of their eating disorders. This group creates a corrective experience for them .

Breakfast group • Monday-Friday • 9.00am– 10.00am

The Recover Clinic Breakfast Groups are a wonderful way to get support in the early stages of recovery.  We provide a well rounded and nutritionally nurturing breakfast accompanied with clinical support.  The groups have up to 8 members and participants find that they are able to make important and long lasting changes to their food which help to build a solid and long-term recovery.  Each group is facilitated by a different member of our clinical team including our Clinical Director, Emmy Gilmour.

Meditation group • Tuesday & Thursday • 10.00am – 11.30am

Our guided meditation groups are a wonderful opportunity to learn the art of mindfulness and meditation.  We teach you how to be an observer of thoughts and emotions as you experience them.  We show you how to establish a conscious relationship with your mind and your thoughts and to identify and still the often ever present voice of an eating disorder.

Psycho-educational eating disorders group • Monday & Thursday • 11.00am – 12.00pm • Friday • 3.00pm

All the women in this group are in recovery from an eating disorder.  This group gives you a chance to learn about your illness and better prepare for a long lasting recovery.  Many people when they first start treatment report to ‘not understand why’ they behave the way they do.  We teach you how your illness is impacting on you and guide you to build a foundation for a long lasting recovery.

Me & My Food group • Wednesday & Friday • 1.00pm – 2.00pm

The aim of the group is to promote a new and positive relationship between the you and your food. The group explores what constitutes ‘normal eating’ and each member explores their relationship with food and how it is impacting on their lives.  Members develop positive associations to food and begin to enjoy food and to recognise it as something they can use to love and nurture their bodies as opposed as using it as a tool with which they can self harm.

Being A Woman • Tuesday & Thursday • 1.00 pm – 2.30 pm

Many women that suffer with eating disorders, developed them during their early teens and have never known what it is to ‘be a woman’ without an eating disorder.  This group explores what it is to be a woman, the fears of adulthood and identity.  We empower our members to feel inspired by life and help them to move away from their eating disorders and into recovery with confidence.