ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS

$5/session   or    $20/5 sessions (*paid in advance)       New Participants – First group free

*Passes can be purchased from a volunteer during drop in hours or before group. Please arrive 10 minutes early if you wish to buy a pass from the volunteer before group. Thank you!

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 (Returning May 2nd!)

Facilitator: Julie Gerber, MSW, RSW
1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month: 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.

Beyond ED Support Group (Please note that there will not be group on May 24th and May 31st)

Facilitator: Dr. Rosalind Callard, Psychologist
Thursdays : 6:30–8pm   

This weekly drop-in group is open to anyone who is interested in recovering from an eating disorder.

People who come to this group are:

• Looking for freedom from a life of inner conflict and obsession with food and body image
• Learning to replace self-criticism with self-acceptance
• Recognizing that peace of mind is available to us, if we are willing to give up our old ideas about what we should look like, and how much we should weigh
• Learning to create a positive, healing relationship to food and to our bodies
• Open to developing new friendships and new interests in life

In this group, people have usually already initiated recovery.  We may not always feel completely confident that we can consistently keep from disordered thoughts, beliefs and behaviors with food, but we are convinced that we need to try.

Another difference from the general Wednesday group is that we talk openly about the behaviours and sizes we are leaving behind; this is not always comfortable for people who are still deeply involved with their eating disorder. As with all our groups, to facilitate mutual trust and free discussion, group members agree not to reveal information about other members or to break their confidentiality.

Family & Friends Support Group

Facilitator: Julie Gerber, MSW, RSW
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month: 6:30–8pm   

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 through, as well as getting support for yourself.

And Coming Soon…

Young Adult Support Group

This support group for 14-19 year olds will focus on learning healthy coping skills and strategies, and peer support. We will explore issues related to recovery such as dealing with the stress, healthy relationships, and self-care.

For Gen X and Baby Boomers

Disordered eating thoughts and behaviours that start in childhood or teen years can spill over, sometimes even intensifying, as people get older and are coping with major transitions, mid-life events, and  body changes. This group is for women roughly 35-55 who are recognizing this is happening in their lives and would like support to develop a healthy relationship with food, and their bodies, and learn more effective coping skills for the unique pressures they are experiencing.

Please call if you’d like to be placed on a list and notified when the start date is finalized: 519.434.7721

Fees

There is a small fee to attend our groups and workshops (see individual group desciptions for any exceptions). Hope’s Garden receives no government funding and this fee helps ensure we can continue to offer our programs to the community. Additionally, our programs are facilitated by qualified professionals and a fee for service reflects the value and quality of our programming.

We have an accessibility of service philosophy and have a  “No One Turned Away” policy. If you cannot afford the fee, please contact us at 519.434.7721. Arrangements must be made in advance of  arriving for/attending group.

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.