Find Support Here

 

Our Support Groups

If you are in distress:

Contact Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642, or National Eating Disorder Information Center (NEDIC) at 1-866-633-4220 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm EST Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST) or speak to Instant chat (note: this is not a distress line – see “What Can the Helpline Do For Me?“)

We offer support groups in Edmonton, Calgary and online

Support Groups & Workshops

Online Support Groups for People Experiencing Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating

**NOTE: It is extremely important to attend the 1st session of all multi-week groups, as it includes important information regarding all upcoming sessions**

For Individuals Experiencing an ED/DE

8 weeks

Kalin Herbach, RD and Katie Poirier, R. Psych

October 11

**Available to individuals in AB, NB, NS, NFL, NT, NWT & YT

For Individuals Experiencing an ED/DE

8 weeks

Kalin Herbach, RD and Allison Easton, RD

October 16

**Available to individuals in AB, NB, NS, NFL, NT, NWT & YT

For Women 40+ Experiencing an ED/DE Tier 2

7 weeks

Carol Fredrek, R. Psych

November 8

**Available to individuals in AB & ON

Online Workshops for People Experiencing Eating Disorders/Disordered Eating

**NOTE: It is extremely important to attend the 1st session of all multi-week workshops, as it includes important information regarding all upcoming sessions**

Kickstand Workshop

Monday 4:30 – 6 pm

Katie Poirier, R. Psych

October 2

**Available to individuals in AB

Interoception Workshop

2 weeks

Sara Kreklewich, OT

October 18

**Available to all individuals in Canada

Preparing for the Holidays Workshop

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Kalin Herbach, RD and Katie Poirier, R. Psych

December 6

**Available to individuals in AB, NB, NS, NFL, NT, NWT & YT

Meal Support Workshop

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

December 13

**Available to individuals in AB

Online Support Groups for People Experiencing Binge Eating

**NOTE: It is extremely important to attend the 1st session of all multi-week groups, as it includes important information regarding all upcoming sessions**

For Individuals Experiencing Binge Eating

6 weeks

Selene Yan, RD

November 2

**Available to individuals in AB, BC, ON, NS, NB, NFL, NT, NWT & YT

Online Drop-in Support Groups for Caregivers/Loved Ones

Meal Support

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

September 27

**Available to individuals in AB

Eating Disorders 101

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

October 11

**Available to individuals in AB

Open Topic

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

October 25

**Available to individuals in AB

Shame & Stigma

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

November 8

**Available to individuals in AB

Supporting a Youth

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

November 22

**Available to individuals in AB

Supporting an Adult

Wednesday 6 – 8 pm

Chantelle Jensen, RN

December 6

**Available to individuals in AB

Visit our programming calendar to see upcoming events

  • Professionally-facilitated by people with extensive backgrounds in eating disorders.
  • An effective independent evaluation of the impact of our groups by  two graduate students from the University of Calgary demonstrated participants report increased feelings of hope, connection and empowerment, with decreasing levels of shame, stigma and isolation.
  • Intended to support to those wishing to continue on the path of recovery in a safe, nonjudgmental environment
  • Limited to a small number of participants allow everyone to participate fully.
  • Open to people with ANY type of eating disorder over the age of 18
  • Open to registration even without diagnosis or referral
  • Very affordable. The fee can be waived if there is financial hardship by emailing info@EDSNA.ca.
  • Support Groups are non-clinical:
    • Participants can expect information, coping strategies and peer support.
    • The focus is on meeting the general needs of the group.
    • Confidentiality is sacred and information obtained about group members stays within the group (unless a participant’s safety concern dictates otherwise)

We provide support, not treatment or therapy

Therapy

A professional, confidential and medically oriented process to achieve psychological health. Accurate records of the content of the meetings are kept. Typically, there is a stated objective or desired outcome.

Treatment

Medical intervention aimed at addressing specific health concerns. Treatment is overseen by members of the healthcare team and may include a qualified medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, and dietitian. Each healthcare provider keeps records and tailors the treatment plan to meet individual needs and operates under the guidelines of the health system.

Support

A validating group experience, rooted in the belief that everyone has the wisdom to determine the best route for themselves to recovery. It is a place of mutual respect, open communication and safety. It is a place where judgement is suspended and people are free to ask questions, vent frustrations or fears, explore answers for themselves and solace. It is a place where the participant is surrounded by people who ‘get it’ and the facilitator plays an important role but is not the only teacher in the room. No records are kept. All participants agree to abide by the rules of the group including confidentiality.

Other Support Options

Edmonton
Canadian Mental Health Association-Edmonton Region

Offers support groups for caregivers of people with mental illness. (NOTE: this is not solely for families facing eating disorders, but there may be common themes of self-care, healthy boundaries, overcoming isolation and stigma). All programs are suspended or online during COVID-19.

If you are in need of assistance, call 211 (AB only) or the Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642

Caregivers Alberta

Caregiver program helps caregivers balance their own well-being with the challenges of caregiving. Offers Caregiver Support Line and online programming for individuals or group setting during COVID.

Family Centre

The Family Centre offers programs to improve mental health and well-being. Counselling is available over the phone, online, and in person.

  • Free drop in, single session, no appointment necessary.
  • 6 different locations in Edmonton.
  • Open 6 days a week.
University of Alberta Counselling and Clinical Services

Aims to provide accessible and compassionate psychological and psychiatric services to U of A students. Counselling and clinical services offered online during COVID-19. Offices in SUB are closed due to COVID-19.

Phone: 780-492-5205

YMCA of Northern Alberta

Offers courses and programs on nutrition and mental health.

Alberta Wellness Center for Eating Disorders

Multi-approach Center employing a comprehensive team of professionals with experience treating and supporting people with eating disorders. Team includes psychologists, dietitians; support is also available for caregivers and families. It also offers short-series yoga workshops to support eating disorder recovery.

Kickstand 

Operated by Alberta Health Services, Kickstand seeks to offer wrap-around services for those 12-25 years of age. Users of the platform can be connected with counsellors, peer workers, employment resources, support, and more. All services offered on the platform are free, and many offer a ‘walk in’ type of registration- get help right away!

Calgary
Silver Linings Foundation

Silver Linings offers support groups for parents and loved ones coping with the many challenges of caring for someone they love with an eating disorder.  They also offer support groups for those directly affected.

Red Deer
Alberta Health Services

Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Helpline.