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Posts Tagged ‘Support Groups’

Support for Families

You always have our support

It’s vital to have a strong support system when undergoing eating disorder treatment. Our free community events are places where you can connect with other individuals and families going through similar experiences. Join us to learn about eating disorders, share stories, and find hope for recovery.

Virtual Support Groups

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers free virtual support groups led by licensed eating disorder clinicians. Among them are weekly Pro-Recovery Support Groups for adults affected by an eating disorder and Friends & Family Support Groups for loved ones.

  • Pro-Recovery Support Group: Mondays, 4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET
  • Pro-Recovery Support Group: Saturdays, 8am PT, 10am CT, 11am ET
  • LGBTQ+ Pro-Recovery Support Group: Wednesdays, 4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET
  • Friends & Family Support Group: Wednesdays, 4pm PT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET

Learn more and register on The Alliance’s website.

Recovery Nights

Hear speakers share their personal stories of dedication and perseverance on the road to recovery from eating disorders. Speakers include Emily Program staff, former clients, and community members. Recovery Night is free and open to the public; anyone is invited to attend, including clients, support people, and the community. We know healing is not an easy journey but you can find hope here. Find the Recovery Night schedule below.

Minnesota

MINNESOTA

St. Paul – Como (6:30pm CT):

2265 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108

Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled

St. Paul Adolescent & Young Adult – Toogood (6pm CT):

2230 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108

Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled

Washington

WASHINGTON

Seattle (6–7:30pm PT):

1700 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98109  

Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled

Share your recovery story

Your experience on the path to recovery can inspire others and affirm that there is hope. If you are willing to share your recovery story in a genuine and honest way, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!

St. Paul (Como), MN

Molly McCann
1-888-364-5977 ext. 1166

Seattle, WA

Kristen Myers
1-888-364-5977 ext. 1806

ED 101: Understanding Eating Disorders, Treatment, and Recovery

We know how overwhelming an eating disorder diagnosis can be for families and friends. The terminology. The process. The uncertainties. Share an evening with us to learn about eating disorders, our personalized treatment programs, and the path to recovery. Our knowledgeable staff at The Emily Program answer common concerns of families and friends facing eating disorder issues for the first time. You’ll leave with valuable resources and a better understanding of this serious mental health issue. We recommend family and friends who are new to eating disorders attend this session at least once before joining a Friends and Family Session for a better experience in the group.

Virtual Event: Eating Disorders 101, Hosted by Hannah Kirby MS, RD, CD, Dietitian at our Seattle outpatient location: 2nd Thursday of the month, 6–7pm PT.

Upcoming dates: May 12th, June 9th, July 14th, Aug. 11th, Sept. 8th, Oct. 13th, Nov. 10th, Dec. 8th. Join us via Zoom. 

Friends and Family Sessions

The Emily Program offers free evening Friends and Family Sessions open to the public. No need to register; just drop in. (Please note: This group is intended for family and friends providing support to loved ones with an eating disorder. If you are a client or potential client, please attend our ED 101 or Recovery Night events if you would like to learn more.)

Virtual Event: Friends and Family Session, Hosted by Melissa Harmon, MA, LMHC, Clinical Manager at our Seattle outpatient location: 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 6–7pm PT.

Upcoming dates: May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, Aug. 4th, Sept. 1st, Oct. 6th, Nov. 3rd, Dec. 1st. Join us via Zoom

And: May 19th, June 16th, July 21st, Aug. 18th, Sept. 15th, Oct. 20th, Nov. 17th, Dec. 15th. Join us via Zoom

"Emily Program Experts" Recovery Series

These community-based discussions around recovery are led by Emily Program clinicians.

wa city skyline

WASHINGTON

Seattle (6–7:30pm PT):

1700 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98109  

Upcoming dates: None currently scheduled

"Ask an Expert" Live

Join us on social media for “Ask an Expert” live. Dr. Jillian Lampert answers common questions about eating disorders, treatment, and recovery from our social media followers.

Ask an Expert Facebook live: Friday, May 13th, 10am PT, 12pm CT, 1pm ET. 

Ask an Expert Instagram live: Thursday, July 21st, 11am PT, 1pm CT, 2pm ET. 

Community Events

NEDA Walk – Lexington, KY: Saturday, May 14, 2022. Learn more and register here 

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Get Help

Get help. Find hope.

Please provide contact information below and we will connect with you within one business day. You also may call us directly at 1-888-364-5977. If this is an emergency, do not use this form. Call 911 or your nearest hospital.

Get Help for your Child

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    Get Help for a Friend

    Three Ways To Help A Friend With An Eating Disorder

    Take our Eating Disorder Assessment Quiz

    Our Eating Disorder Assessment Quiz takes just a few minutes. It’s a simple tool that helps you to see whether or not you should be concerned. Take the quiz.

    Talk with your friend

    Your friend’s health is more important than keeping secrets or shying away from talking to their family. Share your concerns. Be prepared to provide examples of behaviors that alerted you to the problem. And offer the next step—tell your friend to call us at 1-888-364-5977 or show your friend our website to start the journey to healthy living.

    Learn more about eating disorders

    We invite family and friends to attend our support nights so you can learn how to play an important role in your friend’s recovery.

    Read more

    For Families

    When someone you care about struggles with food, the symptoms of the eating disorder touch everyone in the family. The perplexing behaviors can bring frustration, fear, and heartache. We know. Since 1993, The Emily Program has worked closely with families, friends, and other loved ones to help them cope with the consequences of eating disorders. Contact us at 1-888-364-5977 or fill out this form.

    When your child struggles with an eating disorder

    Our approach

    Parents and families take an active role in the recovery journey. At The Emily Program, we use the proven Maudsley Method, also known as Family-Based Treatment (FBT), in our personalized treatment programs for children, adolescents, and young adults with eating disorders. 

    Care that is right for your child

    We offer a full continuum of care, including outpatient, intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization, and residential treatment, all of which provide daily therapeutic meals and snacks, therapy sessions, and time for schoolwork.

    You always have our support

    After you complete your intake appointment at The Emily Program, you’ll have access to the Office Manager at your programming site who will be your primary resource and support for all care needs and questions.

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    Resources for Families

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    Mealtime Tips

    Chili soup

    Eating disorders are complex illnesses that often lead to severe disturbances in thought patterns and behaviors. A key time when behaviors and thought patterns are illuminated is during meals. Those affected by eating disorders may dread or fear eating and experience anxiety, anger, and depression during mealtimes. 

    What Does Someone With an Eating Disorders Experience During Meals?

    Individuals affected by eating disorders often cite mealtimes as a significant cause of distress. Since eating disorders typically accompany an intense preoccupation with food and body, they lead individuals into disordered eating patterns like restricting, bingeing, or purging. These patterns become solidified over time and become harder to challenge and break. In addition, those affected may experience significant distress over meals. Possible reactions and responses to meal times can include:

    • Anxiety, fear, or distress of the impending meal
    • Fear of the food served
    • Anxiety about eating, especially eating in public
    • Lack of appetite
    • Emotional disturbance 
    • Negative thought patterns like “I hate myself for eating this”
    • Unrealistic thought patterns such as “If I eat this I will become fat”
    • Activation of the body’s flight or fight response
    • Anger
    • Refusal to eat
    • Depression, anxiety, or experiencing an intense need to compensate after the meal is over

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    Former Clients Reflect on Adolescent Programming

    East Metro, The Emily Program

    We wanted to share former clients’ reflections on their time in The Emily Program’s adolescent programs.

    • “The Emily Program has helped me a lot mostly because I am a kid and usually these (things) don’t make a whole lot of sense. Thank you.” – Adolescent client
    • “Our family is more open—not just about food, but with feelings. It’s amazing to see how much everything has changed and how willing they are to say how they feel.” – Adolescent client
    • “I feel surrounded and protected—something I didn’t have for many years. It’s nice to have that, finally.” – Adolescent client
    • “Sometimes, you feel like you’re doing the battle alone. Being with the other parents definitely made me feel more supported. There’s a whole bunch of other people going through the same thing with their kids.” – Parent of an adolescent client
    • “I’m here with my daughter. She’s only been in the program for 2 months but I see changes in her already. So it’s nice to know I still have hope.” – Parent of an adolescent client
    • “I want to thank my daughter for being strong enough to face her own issues with her eating disorder. She came to The Emily Program to take back her life and she helped me realize I can do the same.” – Parent of an adolescent client

    Read more

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