Support Groups
All groups and services are offered free of charge. All programs are open to individuals 18 years or older, unless otherwise posted.
Ongoing Support Groups
Ongoing weekly groups are run all year long and no registration is required. The flexible format allows you to choose what fits your schedule and your support needs from week to week. All groups are at Hope’s Garden unless otherwise specified.
Adult Support Group
Facilitator: Gill Yealland, Registered Art Therapist
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm
This is a general group for all that explores a variety of issues related to eating disorders such as body image, self-esteem, mood and healthy lifestyle. Education and peer support will allow you to focus on your personal issues and receive guidance and support towards your recovery.
Family & Friends Support Group
Facilitator: Rev. Marilyn Carter, M.Div.
Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm
An ongoing support group for parents, spouses and other family members involved with loved ones struggling with disordered eating. Eating disorders do not only affect the person struggling, but also their loved ones. Come gain insight into eating disorders and what your loved one is going throught, as well as getting support for yourself.
Disordered Eating Support Group at UWO
Room 38 at the UCC beginning September 16th
Facilitator: Gill Yealland, Registered Art Therapist
Thursdays, 5:30PM-7:00PM
This support group for 18-24 year olds will focus on learning healthy coping skills and strategies. We will explore issues related to recovery such as dealing with stress, healthy relationships, and self-care through discussion, art, and writing activities.
8 Week Groups - Spring/Summer Sessions
(REGISTRATION REQUIRED - CALL 519.434.7721)
Self-Nurturance for Women
Facilitator: Lynne Hamilton, M.Ed, Psychotherapist
Thursdays : 6:00 – 7:30pm Begins September 16
Part of the Empowering Women Series funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation
This group will benefit women who take responsibility for meeting the needs and expectations of others (family, friends, employers, etc…) while neglecting their own needs and wants. Learn what it means to nurture yourself and how to honour balance and self – awareness. Experience the freedom and control that comes from taking care of your own physical and mental well-being.
Coming Soon!
If you would be interested in any of these upcoming groups, please contact us and ask to be placed on the call list. We will contact you when the details are finalized.
Setting Limits and Letting Go
Learning how to set boundaries is a vital part of learning self respect, and an important step in recovering from an eating disorder. If we never set a boundary, we never really learn what is important to us or get in touch with who we are. Similarly, without boundaries, we never let go of who we really are not and what we do not want to be. Join this group to enjoy mutual support and encouragement as we learn about healthy boundaries and how to “say no without feeling guilty”. In a confidential environment, we will identify and practice the attitudes and behaviors that demonstrate self nurturance.
Money Matters
A high proportion of women with eating disorders also have challenges with debt and overspending. It is difficult to know whether the debt problems are caused by disordered eating behaviours, limited financial resources, education gaps, or impulse control problems. Regardless, an overlooked part of recovery from an eating disorder is often the need to learn (or relearn) how to manage finances. This 8 week group will provide information and tools to help individuals with such things as developing a budget, debt/overspending, savings, and investments.
Hope’s Garden Book Club: Geneen Roth’s Women, Food, and God
This would not be a support group, but an unfacilitated gathering in traditional book club format. Please contact Hope’s Garden with your preferred meeting time.
Treatment Groups VS. Support Groups
Hope’s Garden is not a treatment facility and thus is non-clinical in nature. Click here for our view on what differentiates support groups from treatment groups.