Adult Eating Disorders Program

Groups and Workshops

A typical treatment plan will include individual and group psychotherapy as well as workshops that address nutrition, body image, self-esteem, mind-body connection, societal pressure, and problem solving techniques.  The following is a sample list of some of the groups offered:

• Individual Psychotherapy:
  Clients who do not have a therapist outside of the program will be assigned one within the program.  Individual psychotherapy is guided by psychoanalytic and psychodynamic principles.  In the sessions, the therapist will help the client to examine their past, their emotions, their belief system and their relationships.  Together they will explore their connections to present difficulties and use this information to aid in the recovery process.  All psychotherapy is conducted by psychology interns and postgraduate trainees who are supervised by licensed mental health professionals on the Susan B. Krevoy EDP and WILA faculty.
• Group Psychotherapy:
  The process group provides a safe, nurturing environment where clients can discuss their personal concerns and learn from others who are also suffering.  In this group, the leader helps the client to explore internal feelings (anxieties, depression, anger, helplessness, etc.) and feelings related to external situations (relationships, jobs, etc.).  The group is a place to explore, develop and strengthen the client’s ability to cope with life stressors in healthy and non-destructive ways.  Close relationships that develop between group members lead to a feeling of safety and belonging.
• Family Therapy:
  The multi-family group provides a sanctuary where family members can participate with the client in their recovery.  In the group, the leader helps clients and family members explore the dynamics of their relationship and how eating disorders and family relationships might affect each other.  This setting provides a wonderful opportunity for family members to support their loved one as they work toward recovery.
• Strengthening the Self:
  This workshop combines group discussion and written exercises that support the individual to explore the roots of their illness, develop skills of proper self-care and feeding, discover and re-structure outdated belief systems and re-connect with the more meaningful aspects of their life.
• Balancing Mind-Body-Spirit:
  This workshop is designed to help clients bring disordered eating into balance by strengthening the mind- body connection. Using yoga techniques, the workshop teaches clients to become aware of internal cues such as hunger, desire and feeling, to differentiate and discover the meaning behind the cues and to respond appropriately to them.
• Therapeutic Yoga:
  The fitness and meditation group supports clients to re-structure unhealthy beliefs about fitness, exercise and health.  It empowers them to replace punishing work-out regimens with a fitness plan that strengthens the body, mind and spirit.  Through visualization, breathing techniques and movement, clients strengthen their bodies, the mind-body connection, experience a powerful release of physical and emotional tension and learn how to reduce stress and relax fully.
• Self-Esteem:
  Cognitive group therapy helps clients develop positive self-esteem and body image.  The group utilizes discussion, education, and behavioral strategies to explore various topics relating to self-esteem and body image.  For example, the group might focus on the relation between body image and self-esteem, the relation between early childhood experiences and self-esteem, or the connection between shame, self-esteem, and disordered eating patterns.  The group leaders will introduce topics and provide written material and exercises for group discussion.
• Art Therapy:
  Art Therapy provides participants with an opportunity to express their feelings without using words.  The group fosters freedom of expression so that the client is free to be themselves and create what they want without fear of criticism or judgment.  Through the process of creating and assigning meaning to the art, participants will come into a better understanding of themselves.  They will be supported to become familiar with unconscious and deeply rooted feelings.
• Nutritional Counseling:
  The nutritional counseling workshop is a discussion and educational group that helps the client understand the psychological aspects of hunger and eating patterns.  Group members are encouraged to talk about their specific food concerns.  Some of the topics include physical and emotional hunger, nutritional myths, mindful eating, food triggers, and “safe” foods.  This is a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters the exploration of specific issues related to food.