Support Group:
Frequently Asked Questions
A. About Alliance Support Groups
What are The Alliance Support Groups?
Free and clinician-led support groups for anyone experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder — or supporting someone who is. A place to connect with others who understand, find encouragement, and see that recovery is possible. Always free.
What does it mean that groups are “pro-recovery” ?
You can show up exactly as you are — you don’t have to be upbeat about recovery to belong. What matters is staying open to the idea that recovery is possible, and keeping the space free of comparison, judgment, and stigma.
What type of support groups does The Alliance offer?
Two styles:
- Individual Pro-Recovery Groups — for anyone 18+ experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder. Includes Affinity Groups for specific identities or experiences, led by clinicians who share that identity.
- Loved Ones Groups — for friends, family, and other supporters (12+, with an adult) of someone experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder.
We offer groups 7 days a week — see the schedule and register at allianceforeatingdisorders.com/groups.
How are The Alliance Support Groups run?
All groups are free, led by trained, licensed facilitators, and are affirming, size-inclusive, weight-neutral spaces. Wherever you are in recovery, you belong.
Each group follows the same flow:
- A brief intro to The Alliance, who the group is for, and the guidelines
- Members share a topic or question
- The group discusses together, with facilitators keeping it supportive
How many people are in a group?
For in-person, it typically stays under 10 folks, but can vary! For virtual groups, it can range anywhere from 15–90, depending on the group. It feels cozier once you’re in it — try the speaker view if a full screen is a lot.
Are The Alliance Support Groups anonymous?
Yes. Virtual groups need some basic info to register, just to give you access — once you’re in, use whatever display name you like.
How are The Alliance Support Groups different from a therapy group?
Support groups focus on connection and shared experience, not treatment goals. Both are led by trained clinicians, but therapy follows a set plan — Alliance groups are more free-flowing, shaped by what members need that day.
How are The Alliance Support Groups different from a 12-step group?
12-step groups are peer-led and follow a set series of steps to guide recovery. The Alliance Support Groups are clinician-led with peer support built in, but there’s no fixed model – sessions are open, conversational, and shaped by what group members bring each time.
How are The Alliance Support Groups different from a peer-led group?
Alliance groups are co-facilitated by trained, licensed clinicians with expertise in treating eating disorders.. Facilitators complete an application, training, and ongoing supervision. Many also bring lived experience with their own eating disorder recovery journey, adding a “peer feel” alongside the clinical training.
Do you offer support groups for specific diagnoses?
No — groups aren’t organized by diagnosis. Separating by diagnosis can increase shame and exclude people without a formal diagnosis. We keep groups open to any eating disorder experience, so members connect over shared themes, not labels. If you are seeking support for a specific diagnosis, please reach out to our Helpline therapists!
Can I use these groups for internship, class, or community service hours?
You can only observe our Friends & Family groups for class or internship credit — Pro-Recovery groups are for people in their own recovery only. Please note: The Alliance cannot sign off on attendance documentation or observation hours, given the confidential nature of the space.
What if I’m not sure I apply to a particular group?
Most groups are open to anyone, but a few are built around specific identities. If you’re unsure, reach out to us at groups@allianceforeatingdisorders.com.
What if I’m new to recovery or have never been in a recovery space?
Welcome — you’re in the right place! Our groups include people at every stage of this journey.
What if I’ve been in recovery for a while?
You’re welcome too! Hearing from people further along helps everyone in the room, including yourself!
What if I’m not sure I have an eating disorder, or I haven’t been diagnosed? Can I still join?
Come as you are — no diagnosis required.
Support Group Types
Individual Pro-Recovery Support Groups
For adults 18+ of any gender or background, experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder. A space for connection and support in coping with recovery. Register here.
Friends & Family Support Group
For loved ones 12+ (with a guardian) — parents, partners, chosen family, friends — supporting someone with an eating disorder. Led by therapists and dietitians, focused on compassion, peer support, and healing. Register here.
Mom2Mom Support Group
For women-identifying caregivers, not the person with the eating disorder. Join the Mom2Mom Facebook group first to get access. Request to join here.
LGBTQ+ Support Groups
For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning folks 18+ experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder. An affirming space led by LGBTQ+ therapists and dietitians, focused on identity, belonging, and healing from minority stress. Register here.
Larger Bodied Individuals Support Group
For adults 18+ in larger bodies, experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder. A weight-inclusive space led by therapists and dietitians who identify as larger bodied, focused on healing beyond size or appearance. Register here.
BIPOC Support Group
For adults 18+ who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder. Led by BIPOC therapists and dietitians, focused on identity, culture, healing, and the impact of racism. Register here.
Midlife & Beyond Support Group
For adults 40+ of any gender or background, experiencing or recovering from an eating disorder — focused on the unique challenges of recovering while managing caregiving, relationships, identity, stigma, and aging. Register here.
Grief & Loss Support Group
For anyone who has lost someone to an eating disorder. For individuals 18+, or ages 12+ with a guardian present. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month, 7–8pm EST. Register here.
The Chain x The Alliance Support Group
For anyone 18+ recovering from an eating disorder while working in fashion, beauty, or entertainment. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month, 5:30–6:30pm EST. Register here.
B. Group Guidelines & Tech Rules
Pro-Recovery Groups
Why are there guidelines and rules in your support groups?
Tech rules are practical (like staying on camera) to keep the space safe and consistent. Conversation guidelines are more like a guardrail: not about limiting what you say, but gently keeping the focus on connection and support instead of comparison-triggering details.
Tech Rules
📸 Please keep your cameras on! Helps us feel present together. You can hide your own self-view. If your camera’s off, you’ll get a reminder — then be removed if it stays off. Why: Seeing each other builds real connection.
❌ Please do not smoke, vape, exercise, eat, or drive on camera. Step off camera if you need to do any of these — hydration is fine on camera. Why: These can be activating to see, and driving is a safety risk.
🤫 Stay on mute unless called on to share. Captions are available at the bottom of your screen. Why: Keeps sound clear for whoever’s sharing.
🖐️ Use “Raise Hand” to share. You can also use the green checkmark ✅ to briefly validate someone’s share (under 30 seconds). Why: Prevents folks from talking over each other, and responding to folks in the order of their sharing.
Group Guidelines
Our groups are affirming, size-inclusive, weight-neutral spaces. Wherever you are in recovery, you belong. If a facilitator redirects you, you’re not in trouble – it just keeps things safer and flowing for everyone.
- No eating disorder specifics. Avoid sharing ED numbers, behaviors, rituals, diagnoses, or treatment details. Why: Specifics can trigger others or spark comparison.
- Keep it general. Avoid trauma or violence details — when in doubt, leave it out. Why: Detail can be distracting from the topic and sometimes activating for others.
- Take space, make space. Share your experience, but leave room for others too. Why: Groups work best when everyone gets heard.
- Honor inclusivity, openness, and respect. Assume best intentions, and leave bias and stigma at the door. Why: Recovery looks different for everyone.
- Maintain confidentiality. We can’t guarantee 100%, but we rely on each other to protect one another’s identities. Why: Trust makes it possible to share honestly.
- Recovery is possible, and it’s happening. 🩵 Why: Less a guideline, more a motto.
Friends & Family Groups
Tech Rules
📸 Please keep your cameras on! Helps us feel present together. You can hide your own self-view. If your camera’s off, you’ll get a reminder — then be removed if it stays off. Why: Seeing each other builds real connection.
🤫 Stay on mute unless called on to share. Captions are available at the bottom of your screen. Why: Keeps sound clear for whoever’s sharing.
🖐️ Use “Raise Hand” to share. You can also use the green checkmark ✅ to briefly validate someone’s share (under 30 seconds). Why: Prevents folks from talking over each other, and responding to folks in the order of their sharing.
Group Guidelines
Our groups are affirming, size-inclusive, weight-neutral spaces for supporters — wherever your loved one is in their journey, you deserve support too. If a facilitator redirects you, you’re not in trouble — it just keeps things safe and flowing.
- No treatment bashing. What works for one family may not work for another. Why: Hearing a treatment approach criticized can be discouraging for someone relying on it.
- No body shaming. Avoid language that judges weight or appearance. Why: Even well-meaning comments can reinforce stigma.
- Take space, make space. Share your experience, but leave room for others too. Why: Groups work best when everyone gets heard.
- Honor inclusivity, openness, and respect. Assume best intentions, and leave bias and stigma at the door. Why: Every family’s experience looks different.
- Maintain confidentiality. We can’t guarantee 100%, but we rely on each other to protect one another’s identities. Why: Trust makes it possible to share honestly.
- Recovery is possible, and it’s happening. 🩵 Why: Less a guideline, more a motto.
C. Sharing in Group
How do I share without getting too specific?
Focus on themes and feelings, not details. Try turning what happened into how it made you feel.
For example:
- Instead of “My doctor said X to me” → “My doctor made a comment that brought up feelings of…”
- Instead of “I’ve had my eating disorder for 20 years” → “I’ve dealt with my eating disorder for a long time”
- Instead of “I ate X, which is a fear food” → “I challenged a fear food and felt…”
Unsure how to phrase something? Message the Chat facilitator directly.
What happens if I say something that’s too specific?
Totally human! A facilitator may respond or gently redirect so you can continue.
What if I get redirected and I’m not sure why?
Facilitators watch the whole room, not just the words, and step in if things drift from the guidelines. You are always welcome to reach out to the Chat facilitator with questions, or to the groups department directly via groups@allianceforeatingdisorders.com.
Is there a time limit on sharing?
No strict limit, but keep shares to a few minutes so there’s room for others. If you have a lot to say, focus on one main point and save the rest for chat or raise your hand again later.
D. Schedule, Cost, & Confidentiality
Is there a cost to attend?
Nope — every group is free, always.
How will I know about new groups or changes to groups?
We announce changes in current groups, on social media, and in our email newsletter. Sign up for emails here.
Can I submit a request for a future new group to open?
Yes! We often shape new groups around community feedback. Submit a request here.
We can’t promise an immediate response or that every request will launch — new groups take time and funding to build safely.
Can I know who will be facilitating the group before I go?
We can’t guarantee the exact lineup each week, but similar facilitators tend to co-facilitate the same groups. Check out our facilitators here.
Is there a cap or limit to how many people can attend a group at a time?
Nope — groups are open/walk-in style, so size varies. We always make sure enough facilitators are on hand.
Is my information kept confidential?
Yes. We don’t share your registration information with anyone — it stays internal and is used only to run the group and understand our reach. We ask for basic logistical info only: a valid email (for your secure link), your name, and your country, state, and zip code, which help us track impact and expand accessibility.
By registering for a group, you are also agreeing and signing a liability release confirming groups aren’t a substitute for treatment, and that full confidentiality can’t be guaranteed. Each group reviews group guidelines including confidentiality: While The Alliance cannot guarantee 100% confidentiality in a virtual group, we rely on each other to honor this space and protect one another’s identifying information.
Are The Alliance’s systems HIPAA compliant?
Yes — our virtual groups run on HIPAA-compliant Zoom. Registration info is used only to send you your secure link.
E. Attending a Group: In-Person & Virtual
In-Person Groups
We currently have in-person groups in New York, Florida, and Delaware — learn more on our website.
Do your groups require a certain amount of commitment?
Nope — drop-in style, just show up when you can.
How many people are in a group?
Varies — typically 3–10 attendees, plus two co-facilitators.
Do I have to sign up ahead of time?
No pre-registration — just walk in. Attending means you’ve agreed to our Release of Liability Waiver.
How do I join a group?
Simply walk in!
What if a group gets canceled — how will I know not to come?
We rely on social media (Instagram + Facebook) to post updates the day of each group. For last-minute cancellations, we update social media ASAP; for planned ones, facilitators let you know ahead of time too.
Some locations have their own way of sharing updates — ask your group’s facilitators.
Virtual Groups
Do I have to sign up ahead of time?
Yes, but no rush — register anytime, even mid-group. You’ll need to re-register each week.
What if I sign up but can’t join at the last minute?
No worries — just skip it, no heads-up needed.
I registered but the link isn’t working. What should I do?
Double-check you’re registered for the right group and day — each link updates to the next upcoming date, so re-register each week and check your confirmation email if you’re unsure.
How do I register for a virtual group?
Go to allianceforeatingdisorders.com → Support → List of Groups. Find your group, click Register, and fill out the form. You’ll get a confirmation email with your Zoom link (it activates when the group starts). Re-register each week.
How do I log into a group?
Use the Zoom link in your confirmation email — it activates at the group’s actual start time.
Can I join a group from my phone?
Yes, as long as your camera’s on — there’s no dial-in-only option.
How do I raise my hand to speak in a group?
Click Reactions → Raise Hand. ✋ Click Lower Hand when done — it won’t unmute you.
How do I respond to someone else’s share?
Click Reactions → the green checkmark. ✅ Click it again to remove it.
How do I use the chat during a group?
Click the Chat icon. Note: opening chat on your phone turns off your video.
What if I’m not sure how to word something I want to share?
Message a facilitator directly through chat — you’ll see “(Direct Message)” when it’s private.
How do I hide my own video?
Hover your video tile → three dots → Hide Self View. Others can still see you.
How do I change my display name?
Click Participants → hover your name → More → Rename.
How do I turn on captions?
Click ‘Show Captions’ in your Zoom toolbar.
How do I request accommodations during a group?
Message a facilitator during group, or email groups@allianceforeatingdisorders.com.