Why The Alliance?

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders (“The Alliance”) is the only national eating disorder organization to provide free, weekly, clinician-led eating disorder support groups for individuals and their loved ones. These communities not only aid in decreasing isolation, they also provide individuals with a sense of belonging. The Alliance’s groups create a space where participants can feel seen, heard, supported, and valued. In 2023 alone, more than 20,500 participants from all 50 states and 83 countries around the world attended our support groups.

 

CLICK HERE to download a PDF informational sheet.

The Facilitator Commitment

  • Hold a clinical license* in therapy or nutrition (LMHC, LCSW, LPC, PhD, PsyD, RD)
  • At least one year of working with eating disorders in a clinical setting
  • Uphold cultural and clinical competency: adhere to anti-racist, size inclusive, and queer affirming philosophies and practices
  • Co-facilitate at least 2 groups per month in addition to willingness to sign up for a 3rd shift as a sub (this does not count as one of your groups unless you are requested to sub in for a schedule facilitator
  • Attend one monthly facilitator supervision of your choice (compensation provided)
  • Attend quarterly check-in meetings for your primary groups
  • Participate in at least one of our annual virtual support group events (February & September)
  • Attend our mandatory, annual, in-person facilitator retreat (Summer – FL or NY)
    • Fully-covered participation
    • CEs provided
    • Option to bring family (family cost(s) not covered)

*Limited permit/registered intern level of licensure if okay to apply with further review in the interview process. Must have active and continued supervision with a fully licensed clinical supervisor outside of The Alliance. We do not accept volunteers or undergraduate interns*

The Facilitator Flow

Each virtual support group has at least 3 facilitators in a group to help the flow of the virtual room. Our facilitators work together to guide the conversation based on requested topics and maintain a pro-recovery vibe. Each facilitator brings their own style, clinical training, and human experience into the space so each group participant can show up however they need to in that moment and be seen, heard, and valued.

The Facilitator Schedule

Although facilitators are asked to co-facilitate at least 2 groups per month, the opportunity to facilitate more is endless! We currently have 12 virtual support groups (10 weekly and 2 monthly), and 7 in-person support groups across 6 cities.



Interested in helping us start and facilitate a new support group? Let us know in your application! We’d love to bring more groups to our community at more times for more folks! Some of our future groups in the works to open in the near future include:

  • BIPOC Support Group
  • Midlife & Beyond Support Group
  • Chronic Illness Support Group

The Facilitator Investment

  • Hours work towards certifications and further licensure needs (Supervisors: Dr. Joann Hendelman PhD, CEDS-C, Rachel Rifkin LMHC, CEDS, and additional external supervisors)
  • Receive monthly stipend for contracted position:
    • $150 for completion of new facilitator training and onboarding (received after first month of group facilitation is completed)
    • $50 per group (as co-facilitator)
    • $65 per group (as Lead or Chat facilitator – Not applicable for new hires)
    • $50 for attending one monthly facilitator supervision of your choice (compensation provided only when minimum group requirements are met)
    • $50 per group during annual virtual support group events (February & September)

  • Professional development opportunities including:
    • Free registration to National EDucational Training Days (up to 7.5 CEs per training day)
    • Free or discounted registration to community partner CE events
    • Annual Alliance Facilitator Retreat (up to 6 CEs)
    • Quarterly Facilitator “Lunch & Learns” (launching in 2025)
  • Built-in network of nationwide eating disorder professional community
  • Giving back to the community – reaching tens of thousands of individuals in need of support, both locally and around the globe

The Facilitator Application

1 – Complete facilitator application form – APPLY HERE!

2 – Interview upon review of application

3 – After initial interview, invited to observe one of our weekly virtual support groups

4 – Following support group observation, invited to second-round group interview

The Facilitator Orientation

Upon completing all application and interview stages, all approved applicants will receive an offer to accept the support group facilitator position! Upon accepting the offer, all new facilitators complete a mandatory training and onboarding process to ensure supported orientation and transition to our Alliance facilitator team. All new applicants must complete the following orientation process:

  1. Upon accepting offer, complete onboarding documents
  2. Complete 3-part new facilitator training (compensation provided)
    1. Part One: 3-hour training
    2. Part Two: Group Observation
    3. Part Three: 1-hour training
  3. Provisional Facilitator Period (2 months)
    1. Co-facilitate 2-4 groups with additional support
  4. Transition to fully-trained co-facilitator, upon review of provisional period

Questions?

For any questions, please contact Rachel Rifkin, LMHC, CEDS, Associate Director of Support Groups, at rrifkin@allianceforeatingdisorders.com or by calling 866-662-1235.

 

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Alliance is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. Please let us know if you need reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process.

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin or ancestry, body shape/size physical or mental disability, marital status, abilities, and any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to the equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments and programs. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages, and work to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. All such discrimination is unlawful, and all persons involved in The Alliance’s operations are prohibited from engaging in this type of conduct.