Friends and Family Support Group

If you are a spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, or close friend of someone who is battling an eating disorder, know that you are not alone. Our team is committed to helping you make connections with individuals who are in similar situations, and we’ll work diligently to help you find the additional resources you need to feel supported.

We urge anyone who is struggling with emotional distress to join our friends support group each month. This virtual meeting is a chance for participants to share what’s on their minds and gain perspective from other attendees. Meetings provide individuals with a welcoming environment where they can offer one another comfort, encouragement, and a listening ear and receive the same level of support in return.

At Montecatini, we understand that you may be hesitant to speak up about your concerns or register for a friends support group. However, we encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and attend a session because it can be a constructive way to support your loved one during their healing process. If you are in a perpetual state of worry or feel emotionally unstable, it can be difficult to help someone else who is struggling. By participating in a friends support group, you’ll be engaging in a form of self-care that can help you process intense emotions and remain healthy and encouraging.

In addition to prioritizing your own mental, physical, and emotional health, there are several other ways you can support your loved one during their healing journey, including:

• Educating yourself on eating disorders and triggers
• Validating your loved one’s feelings without judgment
• Helping them find specialized care
• Showing them empathy and compassion
• Spending meaningful time with them
• Acknowledging that the recovery process is not linear and continually cheering them on regardless of any setbacks that might occur

This list is a sample of the types of topics and practices that may be covered during our virtual friends and family support group sessions and weekend events. We understand that every individual has a different experience while supporting their loved one, and we aim to provide a forum in which you feel comfortable discussing your unique concerns. If you have specific topics you would like to address, we encourage you to share them with the group. Collaboration is a key component of our virtual support groups, and we believe that when attendees actively participate in discussions, meetings are more successful.

Our friends support group meetings and weekend events are just a couple of the many resources available to you. To locate additional support groups for family and friends near you, you may want to consider asking the following resources for referrals:

• Doctors or pediatricians
• Local hospitals or residential treatment centers
• Therapists or other mental health professionals
• Nonprofit organizations

It is not uncommon for family members to be emotionally impacted by their loved one’s struggles with an eating disorder. Watching someone you care about suffer from the negative effects of an eating disorder can be stressful and may even lead to feelings of isolation — but it’s important to understand that you are not alone. When you join a family support group, you can access a community of compassionate people who know exactly what you’re going through, and together, you can build lifelong bonds.

While family support groups can help participants feel less judged and lonely, that is not the only benefit they offer. In addition to providing solace for those who are struggling with upsetting emotions, family support groups can help people:

• Educate themselves on eating disorders and treatment options
• Learn strategies for coping
• Improve communication skills
• Reduce depression, anxiety, and fatigue
• Gain perspective
• Learn practical advice
• Discover additional community resources available to them

Our family support group meetings provide a safe space where loved ones can talk honestly and openly about their feelings. We hope that through meaningful discussions, you can develop a clearer understanding of your loved one’s struggles and regain control of your emotions.

By offering our friends and family support groups virtually, we can help more people access the services they need. Virtual support groups can be a convenient option for those who struggle with limited mobility due to illness, lack of transportation, or child care. To join our free family and friends virtual support group, you’ll simply need an internet connection and a device with a camera so that you can connect by video. You can access the platform using a desktop computer, smartphone, laptop, or tablet.

In addition to accessibility, there are many other benefits of virtual support groups. Communicating with others through a screen can provide a sense of anonymity, which might be appealing to those who have social anxiety or other fears that may prevent them from joining large group settings. The convenience of virtual therapy may also help you remain committed to attending sessions. Consistent attendance can help you connect with a greater number of people as well as give you the opportunity to regularly practice coping and communication skills.

Though our family and friends support groups are held online, they operate as an in-person meeting would. Each session is prescheduled and begins promptly. Virtual programming lasts for the full hour and follows an open group format. If you are interested in joining our monthly support group meetings for family and friends or learning more about our virtual weekend event, we invite you to reach out to a helpful member of our staff today.