Eating Disorder Family Support Groups (Online)
Comprehensive Support for Families
Eating Disorder Support Group:
Program Overview
The group focuses on providing families with tools based on CBT-E (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced) and FBT (Family-Based Therapy) to help them play a positive, active role in their child's recovery.
Our online support groups are led by experienced mental health professionals who guide discussions, provide expert advice, and create a supportive, compassionate environment. Families gain valuable insights, connect with peers, and develop practical tools to better understand and support a loved one's recovery from an eating disorder.
1. Online Access:
This online support group is accessible from the comfort of your home, making it convenient for families to attend. This convenient online format makes it easier to fit support into busy schedules, ensuring families can access help when they need it most.
2. Focus on CBT-E and FBT:
These evidence-based approaches provide tools to understand and address the needs of a young person facing an eating disorder, from body image issues to binge eating, with a focus on positive outcomes and recovery.
CBT-E helps identify and challenge the thoughts and behaviours contributing to disordered eating, promoting healthier thinking and coping strategies.
FBT empowers families to play an active role in recovery by strengthening family dynamics and offering structured support.
3. Supportive Community:
Receive peer support from those who understand and have experienced the unique challenges and emotions that come with supporting a loved one through an eating disorder. Find support from facilitators with extensive experience who offer personalised advice and strategies to help you better understand your child’s individual needs.
A Family's Path to Empowerment in Recovery
Understanding is the first step to supporting your loved one
Eating disorders are not one-size-fits-all, and sometimes they’re not immediately visible. Our support groups address all types of eating disorders, as each one influences treatment, recovery, and the ways you can support your loved one.
Common types of eating disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Often presented as extreme weight loss, distorted body image and highly restrictive diets, Anorexia is one of the more visible disorders.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia involves consistent cycles of binge eating followed by behaviours like vomiting or excessive exercise.
Binge Eating Disorder
This disorder is recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food, often accompanied by feelings of loss of control and guilt.
Disordered Eating
Disorder eating refers to irregular eating patterns that don't meet the criteria for a specific eating disorder but can still impact physical and mental health.
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
An eating disorder where a person restricts or avoids certain foods, not due to body image concerns, but because of sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or a lack of interest in eating.
Check out our blog What is ARFID? to learn more about this disorder.
How will this support group help my family?
Practical guidance
Receive guidance and support from expert professionals and others who are going through similar challenges. Learn from their lived experiences and gain supportive techniques for your family.
Family education
We understand that this may be a new and overwhelming experience, and not everyone is familiar with eating disorders. Our goal is to provide compassionate support, helping families gain a deeper understanding of the various types of eating disorders and their effects on both mental and physical health.
Community connections
Connect with other families facing similar challenges, offering mutual support, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging. This is a supportive place dedicated to helping the community understand and navigate these struggles together.
Support services
Receive ongoing support from experienced professionals who provide expert guidance, practical resources, and emotional assistance to help your family navigate this journey with confidence and care.
Receive support from an experienced eating disorder counsellor and psychotherapist
Meet the Program Director
Hi! I'm Joanne.
As a clinical psychologist specialising in eating disorders, I find it incredibly fulfilling to help families and people affected by these disorders learn effective ways to offer support, develop coping strategies, and create positive, lasting changes in their lives.
Holding a Bachelor in Psychology, a Diploma in Counselling, and specific accreditations in eating behaviour and trauma counselling, Joanne brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her practice.
"I believe in a person-centred, goal-orientated approach, and feel that therapy should be a collaboration between myself and my client," says Joanne.
FAQs
Explore our FAQ section to find answers to frequently asked questions.
I am a counsellor and mental health professional registered through the Australian Counselling Association, specialising in Eating Disorders. I have many years of experience working with children and young people, taking a person-centred, goal-oriented approach
Yes, an eating disorder is classified as a mental illness. It involves complex psychological, emotional, and physical factors that influence a person’s relationship with food, eating behaviours, and body image.
Our eating disorder support group is open to any family members or caregivers of individuals affected by eating disorders, including parents, siblings, and extended family members.
You’ll receive expert advice from mental health professionals, hear from others with similar experiences, and learn evidence-based strategies to support your loved one’s recovery. There’s also an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts in a confidential, non-judgmental environment.
The support group is designed specifically for family members and caregivers, but we offer eating disorder-focused therapy that might be appropriate for your loved one to attend for their own support.
