Taking the first step to get help takes a great deal of courage. Whether you’ve been in and out of treatment for years, it's the first time you’ve ever sought help, or even if you aren’t sure whether or not you really have an eating disorder, there is a community of support out there that can help you! Support groups are a great place to start because they’re anonymous, free, and filled with people who understand what you’re going through without judgment. The beauty of support groups is that you don’t have to wait until you’re 100% committed to starting treatment, you can just show up as you are and see how it feels to be around others who have started their recovery journeys. What you’ll find is that in spite of fears you may have that you won’t fit in, these groups are filled with people from all walks of life, from high school students to retired grandparents. People who have yet to meet with a therapist for the first time, people who have years of solid recovery under their belt, and everyone in between attend ED support groups. And in spite of the diversity of group members, there is a common connection that’s difficult to find outside of an ED support group: understanding.
If you’ve never been to a support group, I recommend that you commit to attending at least 3 to find one that is a good fit for you. Each group has its own energy and its own guidelines, so if the first one doesn’t feel comfortable, try a different type of group and see if that is a better fit. I always recommend that groups are a great adjunct to treatment but not intended to replace treatment, so think of them as a way to get your toes wet until you’re ready or able to find a therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders. Groups are also great if you are already in treatment for extra support between sessions and to get peer support and learn from others who are working on recovery. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you really do need help, instead of waiting until you’re sure, please attend some support groups to help you figure this out. It’s extremely common for people with eating disorders to feel like they are not sick enough to benefit from treatment or to deserve treatment. If you’re on the fence, please give yourself the gift of peer support and choose one of these groups to try this week!
As always, please reach out to the contact person before attending a group to make sure that the information is current and correct, because groups are always changing times and locations ;)
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD):
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Pacific Beach Rec Center
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 619-992-9050
Contact: Aimee Fitzgerald
Email: aimeefitz@msn.com
Meeting Time: Please contact for more details
North County ANAD
Contact Name: Arlene Kosakoff
San Diego, CA
Phone: 858-581-1239
Please contact for meeting details
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA):
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
The Step House
1430 Old Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has free daily meetings across San Diego County. Please visit www.oasandiego.org to see a current listing of OA support group meetings.
Eating Disorders and Body Image Support Group:
The Rock Church
808 Jackman Street
El Cajon (San Diego County), CA 92020
Free Online ED Support Groups at Bright Heart Health:
Friends and Family Support Group:
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Best wishes to you in your healing :)
- Dr. Patty
If you’ve never been to a support group, I recommend that you commit to attending at least 3 to find one that is a good fit for you. Each group has its own energy and its own guidelines, so if the first one doesn’t feel comfortable, try a different type of group and see if that is a better fit. I always recommend that groups are a great adjunct to treatment but not intended to replace treatment, so think of them as a way to get your toes wet until you’re ready or able to find a therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders. Groups are also great if you are already in treatment for extra support between sessions and to get peer support and learn from others who are working on recovery. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you really do need help, instead of waiting until you’re sure, please attend some support groups to help you figure this out. It’s extremely common for people with eating disorders to feel like they are not sick enough to benefit from treatment or to deserve treatment. If you’re on the fence, please give yourself the gift of peer support and choose one of these groups to try this week!
As always, please reach out to the contact person before attending a group to make sure that the information is current and correct, because groups are always changing times and locations ;)
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD):
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
- Every Monday night from 6-7pm
- Every Saturday morning from 10:30-11:30am
Pacific Beach Rec Center
San Diego, CA 92109
Phone: 619-992-9050
Contact: Aimee Fitzgerald
Email: aimeefitz@msn.com
Meeting Time: Please contact for more details
North County ANAD
Contact Name: Arlene Kosakoff
San Diego, CA
Phone: 858-581-1239
Please contact for meeting details
Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA):
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
- Every Wednesday night from 6-7pm
- Please contact Holly at hollyerolfe@gmail.com or call (406) 360-9173 for more information.
The Step House
1430 Old Hwy 101
Encinitas, CA.
- Sundays at 11:00 AM
- Please contact Amber at (760) 815-8601 or mkmcbrowe@yahoo.com for more information.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has free daily meetings across San Diego County. Please visit www.oasandiego.org to see a current listing of OA support group meetings.
Eating Disorders and Body Image Support Group:
The Rock Church
808 Jackman Street
El Cajon (San Diego County), CA 92020
- 6pm-7:30pm, Wednesday Nights
- Led by Brenda Piazza, 858-442-5994 www.brendapiazza.com
Free Online ED Support Groups at Bright Heart Health:
- For anorexia (AN) and bulimia (BN), 9 AM to 10:30 AM Pacific Time
- For binge eating disorder (BED), 7:30 AM to 9 AM Pacific Time
- Go to www.brighthearthealth.com to sign up and learn more
Friends and Family Support Group:
Montecatini Outpatient Office
6183 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 110
Carlsbad, CA 92011
- First Wednesday of every month from 6-7pm
- This is a group to send your family members and loved ones to so that they can get information and support on how to best support you in your recovery. You can stay home from this group and let your loved ones go without you!
Best wishes to you in your healing :)
- Dr. Patty
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