Group Therapy

At The Balanced Practice, we recognize the transformative power of group therapy in the journey of eating disorder recovery. Group therapy is a collaborative and supportive approach that fosters connection, understanding, and shared strength among individuals facing similar challenges. Our specialized group therapy sessions are designed to complement individualized treatment plans, providing a holistic and comprehensive approach to recovery.

Belonging is one of our basic needs as human beings. We all want to belong. And belonging to a pro-recovery community can be extremely supportive in meeting that need WHILE engaging in recovery behaviours.

Belonging to a group of people who share similar experiences can help overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation. It helps reduce the shame that can accompany the eating disorder because we can develop a sense of common humanity with our peers.

Being part of a group increases our support system. We know that having an engaged support system during recovery is favourable to positive treatment outcomes. Therefore, being part of a pro-recovery community increases the overall support we are receiving and can become part of our adaptive coping skills. Knowing that you are not alone in your struggles can be a powerful motivator in your recovery journey.

Furthermore, it also allows the person to offer support to others. Offering help and support to others going through recovery can be really helpful for both parties, as the person who is offering the support can feel a sense of purpose and also deepens their own recovery thoughts and behaviours.

Another great aspect of group is community learning. Learning as a group can be really supportive as it provides opportunities to:

• Model pro-recovery behaviours
• Gain new perspective!
• Learn helpful coping tools from others!
• Listen to other people’s questions that you may not have thought of

And more!  Interacting with individuals at various stages of recovery allows for a diversity of perspectives and insights, providing a rich and dynamic learning environment. We really believe that community learning is so helpful, especially in eating disorder recovery as it provides so many opportunities for growth that we may not get in individualized care.And more!  Interacting with individuals at various stages of recovery allows for a diversity of perspectives and insights, providing a rich and dynamic learning environment. We really believe that community learning is so helpful, especially in eating disorder recovery as it provides so many opportunities for growth that we may not get in individualized care.

Group therapy equips participants with valuable coping skills, emotional regulation techniques, and practical tools for navigating challenges unique to eating disorder recovery. Learning tools in a group setting can be really helpful. We invite participants to share their learning with their individualized therapist to deepen the conversation.

1. Group therapy means sharing personal details in front of strangers.
   Group therapy is conducted in a safe and confidential environment, and individuals decide how much they want to share. Our  3 main groups at The Balanced Practice follow a curriculum designed to help folks learn and implement the skills necessary in recovery.
2. Group therapy is only for those with “severe” eating disorders.
   Group therapy is beneficial at various stages of recovery, providing valuable insights and support for individuals at different points in their journey. We believe group therapy is an important part of positive treatment outcomes and sustainability.

Our group therapy program is structured into three stages, each lasting seven weeks, allowing for focused exploration and skill development.

Stage 1: Stabilize

Topics covered in Stage 1 include:

• Biopsychosocial Factors
• Stages of Change in ED Recovery
• Nutrition Foundations
• Distress Tolerance
• Externalization of ED
• Recovery Environment
• Befriending your Nervous System

Stage 2: Recover

Topics covered in Stage 2 include:

• Cognitive Distortions
• Reframing Unhelpful Thoughts
• Discovering Your Hungers
• Emotion Regulation
• Befriending Emotions
• Self-Compassion + Shame
• Body Image

Stage 3: Maintain

Topics covered in Stage 3 include:

• Communication Skills + Boundaries
• Social Media Literacy
• Physical Activity and Recovery
• Mindfulness
• Body Politics
• Self Esteem and Values
• Maintaining Progress

Each stage comes with a workbook to support your learning and implement the skills you learn.

Participants can expect a supportive and non-judgmental environment where they can share and learn from others. Our experienced facilitators guide the group through discussions, activities, and skill-building exercises tailored to the specific stage of recovery. Each session is 90 minutes long.

We believe that most folks would benefit from adding group therapy to their individual sessions. Group therapy provides a safe space to actively work on your recovery while  learning the skills you need in a supportive environment. We also believe that the group aspect of recovery is a huge contributor to the positive recovery outcomes our clients experience.

If you are part of the Eating Disorder Recovery Program™  you will have access to the 3 stages of group therapy.