Group Therapy for Bulimia and Other Eating Disorders

Group therapy for bulimia and other eating disorders involves meeting regularly with others who are going through similar experiences and working together as a group toward greater healing.

Group therapy helps many people see and work through their experiences from a different and healthier perspective.

What is Group Therapy for Eating Disorders?

Group therapy is very much what it sounds like: attending therapy in a group.

Each program will vary, depending on a number of individual details, but in general, group therapy sessions last between 1-2 hours and can include anywhere from 5-15 people, or possibly more.¹ Sessions are overseen by one or several mental health professionals.¹

Group sessions can be run in several different ways. There may be a central topic for everyone to discuss together; the group may learn and work on new coping strategies or skills together; or individuals may be encouraged to discuss their unique concerns with the group.

When it comes to eating disorder group therapy, some additional considerations may be in play. The group may work with actual food or eating scenarios or discuss other eating disorder-related concerns.

Benefits of Eating Disorder Group Therapy

The concept of group therapy may be relatively simple, but the practice can have a multitude of effects on someone’s eating disorder recovery.

Perhaps one of the biggest ways this therapeutic method works is by helping someone understand they’re not alone. Eating disorders thrive in isolation, allowing someone to continue their unhelpful behaviors and stew in unhappy thoughts. In eating disorder group therapy, all members of the group struggle with eating disorders and related issues, which can make it easier to open up, share, and become more receptive toward healing.

Group therapy can also help someone gain a new perspective on their situation. By sharing stories and experiences, people in this form of talk therapy can start to better understand their own lives, choices, and state of mind by comparing and contrasting their experiences.

Group therapy also helps members form a stronger support system, which is crucial for recovery. For someone struggling, having someone they know they can turn to when things feel hard can make all the difference in staying on the path to recovery. The opportunity to offer that support to someone else can also be hugely beneficial.

Bulimia Group Therapy: How Treatment Helps

Sometimes, group therapy for eating disorders includes people struggling with a broad range of issues, but on other occasions, the group has more specific concerns in common. Bulimia group therapy is one of these more tailored options.

In this type of treatment program, more specific issues can be addressed. Bulimia group therapy may focus more on binging and purging behaviors: what they feel like and what triggers them. Likewise, they may discuss more specific skills and coping mechanisms to help avoid these disordered eating behaviors.

A bulimia group therapy program may also take more time to explore the feelings of guilt and shame that are often associated with bulimia nervosa. Members may be encouraged to discuss their personal experiences with these feelings, with the understanding that they’re in a safe space and opening up to a group who will support them without judgment.

How Effective is Group Therapy for Eating Disorders?

One reason group therapy is often used for treating eating disorders is because it works.

Studies have repeatedly found that patients who attend group therapy are more successful at refraining from disordered eating habits.³ And the method has been found particularly helpful for people struggling with bulimia nervosa.³

Eating disorder group therapy can also be combined with other therapeutic modalities. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is the leading therapeutic approach for bulimia, is even more effective when practiced as group therapy.³

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), a popular form of treatment for eating disorders, also requires patients to attend group therapy sessions to help practice new skills or work out insights they’ve learned in individual therapy sessions.²

How to Find Help for an Eating Disorder

Group therapy for eating disorders is an important part of the recovery journey for many people, offering the opportunity to build a greater support network, gain new perspectives, and practice new skills, among other benefits.

Usually, the best way to get involved in a group therapy program is by pursuing eating disorder treatment. Programs for bulimia or other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) or binge eating disorder (BED) are often multi-faceted, involving individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional education, and other methods for healing.

If you or a loved one are struggling with unhelpful thoughts or behaviors around food, it may be time to reach out for help. You can start by contacting your therapist, psychiatrist, or primary care physician. These experts can point you in the best direction for further assistance. A number of eating disorder hotlines can also offer additional resources and information.

Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa can be devastating to mental, emotional, and physical health, but recovery is always possible. Reaching out today can be the start of a journey that leads to a healthier and happier future.