Groups

Body Acceptance

Patients work on improving body image and developing other aspects of self-esteem using techniques from Christopher Fairburn’s CBT model, DBT skills and experiential activities.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training

Skills designed to improve emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness are presented with applicability to eating problems.

Guideposts Group

This group is based on the research by Dr. Brene Brown on perfectionism and shame. The purpose of this group is to offer members an opportunity to look at the role of perfectionism in their lives and to explore specific strategies for understanding shame and building “shame resilience.”

Process Group

Process group provides an unstructured setting in which members can discuss their issues with each other. Through this process, the members are able to receive feedback from their peers and assess the level of trust they are able to establish with others. In addition, the group allows members to practice healthy interpersonal skills that can provide the opportunity for increased self-awareness. Members are responsible for bringing in and presenting their own issues into the group.

Yoga

Patients will participate in restorative yoga. The yoga will involve gentle poses with a focus on the breath and respect and awareness of the body experience.

Supervised Therapeutic Meals

Meals will include food that is ordered in, and meals that patients prepare and bring in under the guidance of the dietitian. Meals will be supervised and supported by HEDC staff.

Mentalizing

Patients will learn about this core relational skill and how to strengthen their ability to reflect about the thought and feelings of self and others. The major goals are: (1) better behavioral control, (2) increased affect regulation, (3) more intimate and gratifying relationships and, (4) the ability to pursue life goals.

Meditation

The Mindfulness/Meditation based stress reduction program benefits all who are suffering from chronic problems associated with eating disorders. Each participant is taught how to meditate, cultivating greater awareness in unity of mind, body and soul. This practice creates positive change by reducing emotional reactivity, lowering stress, boosting the immune system, developing self-acceptance and more.

Music Therapy

The focus of this group is to teach and reinforce DBT skills through experiential exercises involving music.

Positive Psychology

Rather than focusing treatment upon the alleviation of symptoms and distress, positive psychology aims to develop and utilize character strengths and to induce positive mood states.  This skills group will offer techniques for enhancing three components of happiness – positive experience, engagement and meaning.

Weekend Planning

Patients will discuss potential challenges and opportunities in the weekend and how they will manage potential issues that might arise.

Nutrition Group

Information posted soon.

Family Psychoeducation and Peer Support

Guidance for families about how to support their loved ones' efforts to achieve sustained recovery will be provided along with opportunities for family members to off each other peer support.