Our support groups are free, video based online support groups for adults affected by eating disorders. You can register for these below. Any information you provide will remain confidential. A free, video call based online support group for adults affected by any eating disorder. A free, video call based online support group for adults specifically with binge eating disorder.
Note: On submitting a registration form, you are confirming you are happy to receive weekly reminders to your email regarding our upcoming support groups. From here you will be able to quickly sign up for upcoming groups. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any stage.
Regular Virtual Support Group (18+)
Groups take place every second Wednesday at 7:30pm. See the calendar on the Bodywhys homepage for upcoming groups.
Binge Eating Disorder Virtual Support Group (18+)
Groups take place every second Monday at 7:30pm. See the calendar on the Bodywhys homepage for upcoming groups.
About the Virtual Support Groups
- The group is based on the idea of mutual support. It is not a therapy group, but a place to feel acknowledged and understood, through expressing thoughts and feelings, and through listening and reflecting others experience. There is no obligation to mention your diagnosis, nor do you need a diagnosis to use the group.
- Confidentiality and respect are emphasised. Please listen and respect other’s opinions and be courteous towards all participants. Please leave everything you discuss and hear in the group behind you when you leave.
- The groups are run by trained Bodywhys volunteer facilitators and the service is supervised by the Bodywhys Support Services Manager.
- Spaces are limited and registration is essential. Your space can be reserved via the link above.
- If you feel uncomfortable or upset, the facilitators may ask you to stay on the call when the group is finished to talk this through.
Common Questions
The only other people there are people who have an eating disorder. We get people of all ages (over 18), and people who have both been in treatment, are in treatment or who have not engaged in treatment. People will be at different points in their lives also.
No, you do not have to talk unless you feel you want to. You will be asked to say your name, but after that it’s completely up to you if you want to join in or just listen. Sometimes people just listen, and sometimes people like to talk. Whatever you feel like at the time is absolutely ok.
This is a really common fear, one which we know people have, but people often feel shy about saying it. Let us reassure you that it is very common to have this fear, but often people report it is alleviated by going to the group. When you are in the group you will see that everyone is different, and this fear goes away. Our focus in the group is not on what people look like, or their eating behaviours, but how they are feeling that evening. You will see that when others start talking about the feelings they have, you (most likely) will be able to relate and empathise with them and what they look like loses the importance it has before the group.
We really understand, especially in an eating disorder group that having your camera on and seeing yourself on screen can be scary and uncomfortable. The reason we ask people to turn their cameras on is that everyone in the group feels safe and knows that the other people in the group are in a quiet private space alone. You can choose to ‘hide self-view’ on your zoom settings which means you won’t be able to see yourself – but for everyone’s sense of safety and confidentiality we do ask that people turn their cameras on.
The reality is that sometimes this does happen. Our group facilitators are trained to deal with this. It is perfectly fine for you to leave whenever you wish, all we ask is that you let the facilitators know (you can send them a message in the chat privately if you wish), so that they know there isn’t a bigger safety concern for you.
Having Doubts? Things to Remember…
Here are some other thoughts that might help you to counteract that (click each title for more details):
Attending a group is one thing you can do which is for yourself but it does not mean that you are making a big decision to change. Your eating disorder will make you think this to scare you away from doing it, but in reality, it is only a group. It is ok to experiment, try it and see what you think.
At the same time, it is worth trying the Bodywhys group out so that you can make an informed decision about whether this group will or will not be helpful for you. You may have done other groups before, in treatment, for example. Our groups may be very different to that and it is ok to try them out to see what you think.
Your eating disorder mind might be quite ‘all or nothing’ or ‘black and white’ and might be making you think that if you go once you will have to always go. You might have thoughts about feeling a ‘should’ about going again, so let us be very clear: there is no pressure to do anything from our groups.
Trying out a group is a way of addressing this in a safe gentle way and if you don’t find it helpful having tried it, at least you will know that and not let eating disorder fear stop you from experimenting.
That again is an ‘all or nothing’ thought designed by the eating disorder to stop you from doing anything that might help you feel a little better in the moment. Remember that going to a group simply means that you have decided to try out the group. It doesn’t mean that you are making a decision to ‘get better’, or ‘recover’, so try not to give it more meaning that it is. Try not to let your eating disorder scare you too much.
You might find yourself with others who have also had to fight back on all these thoughts, questions and fears in order to log in. What might that be like?
Ground Rules
- The facilitators will open the group, post the ground rules and invite the group to share. Those attending are free to suggest what they would like to discuss. Time will be given to all group members to share if they wish. We ask that you remain present, with your camera on throughout the group. Please participants may not be admitted after the group has started.
- Please note: as groups begin at 7.30pm, it may not be possible to access the group after this time when participants are in the process of sharing personal experiences.
- For the privacy of all attendees, we would ask that you find a quiet and secluded space to attend. We ask that you do not attend whilst driving, using public transport, or in busy public areas.
- Please use your first name or pseudo name only. If your full name is on screen one of the facilitators may change it for you.
- We ask that group users avoid talking about specific details of weight, food, or descriptions of eating disorder behaviours. Speaking about the experience and feelings around behaviours is fine, but we ask that you be mindful that others have different experiences or may be vulnerable.
- It’s okay to discuss your experiences of treatment, and services, but please do not mention particular individuals
