Clinical Benefits of Eating Disorder Peer Support Groups
By: Nicole Senft, Therapist Intern
What are the clinical benefits of ANAD peer support groups and, as a therapist, how will attending these groups help foster continued growth and progress in my clients? In this article, I’ll share four clinical benefits that I have seen with those who are involved with ANAD peer support groups in coordination with regular therapy. I have had the opportunity to work with clients who have been involved in support groups for their eating disorders. I have seen the most gain from clients who are directly involved in the peer support groups with ANAD. I have also seen the benefit of clients attending other support groups run by either therapists or dietitians. These groups can be helpful as well, but the groups that I have found to make the largest impact are ANAD peer support groups. I have heard from clients that are engaged in ANAD peer support groups in combination with regular therapy, that these groups provide them with the most additional support.
Some of the specialty groups that ANAD has peer support groups for include: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Men, People in Larger Bodies, ARFID, and Chronic Illness/Long-Term Disability. ANAD has a group for almost every person with every variety of eating disorder diagnosis that is found in the DSM. Every client I have worked with has been able to find a peer support group for the identity they find strongest.
Reducing Isolation
The first major benefit I have seen for my clients who regularly attend ANAD peer support groups in addition to regular therapy is not feeling so alone in their eating disorder. There is plenty of research out there that talks about people isolating themselves from others when they are actively struggling with their eating disorder. One of my clinical experiences with clients with eating disorders was at a residential treatment center. What I consistently heard from those clients was that they avoided social situations, or when they did participate, they felt ‘different’ because of their eating disorder. A common societal norm is that when gathering with others there is typically some sort of food. It is a normal societal expectation to eat when we are happy and celebrating something, when we are sad, or just on a Tuesday when we want to spend time with friends, which can make it hard for clients with eating disorders.
Utilizing Skills Outside the Therapy Room
The second benefit that I have seen is the ability that clients have to practice skills outside the therapy office. I have had clients share with me that they are spending time practicing some of the skills that are presented in therapy sessions in these groups. The skill that I hear them talk about most often is distress tolerance. In contrast to support groups that are run by professionals, in ANAD groups, there are no specific topics chosen to discuss during the group time. It is a step in, step out model. Group members bring a variety of different experiences and emotions to the group each week.
ANAD peer support groups do not provide support like therapy or a therapist run group, but the members are there to respond to their peers and share similar experiences. The group shares their own experiences. Distress tolerance is a great skill to practice in these groups. Without a focus for the group set out beforehand, peers might bring up certain topics that are hard for different clients to hear or engage with depending on their level of recovery. By practicing distress tolerance, clients can listen to their peers and continue to stay engaged even when there is a topic that they find distressing being discussed.
Community, Resources, and Shared Experiences
A third benefit about ANAD peer support groups is that they allow clients to leverage the wide variety of experiences that others have encountered in their recovery journey. These groups show clients they are not alone and allow them to develop relationships with others who might have similar experiences. Something that I have had a few clients share with me is that there are people in the group who are able to share additional resources that they have found helpful. Clients have discovered additional ANAD groups, outside provider referrals, and even organizations like Project Heal, which offers free and low-cost resources similar to ANAD.
Free and Accessible Treatment Options
The fourth benefit to ANAD support groups is that they are free to anyone who has an eating disorder. As a therapist, having free options to treatment to supplement therapy is great. A major barrier to mental health care is cost. Insurance companies often have a variety of different stipulations and restrictions on the amount of care that they will pay for regardless of the medical necessity for length of treatment. Because ANAD peer support groups are free, clients can participate without worrying about insurance coverage.
What If I Don’t Have a Therapist?
I talked primarily about ANAD peer support groups in this article. I want to highlight that ANAD peer support groups are primarily meant to work in coordination with regular therapy. I have not had a client turned away from an ANAD group because they are not working with a therapist. In fact, the FAQs on the support group page states, “No matter where someone is on their journey, they are welcome.” As a therapist, I work most often with clients who have a whole treatment team. Those who are just beginning their journey with an eating disorder should not be discouraged from joining an ANAD group due to a lack of a therapist.
To the other clinicians working with clients with eating disorders, suggest ANAD peer support groups in addition to regular therapy. To those at the beginning of their journey and overwhelmed with a variety of feelings and lots of uncertainty, sign up for an ANAD peer support group.
