4. PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL GROUPS
Psycho-educational groups are an important component of the range of Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) services and are designed to provide a greater level of choice and flexibility in services being offered to clients throughout their recovery journey.
EDQ runs several psycho-educational groups for people experiencing eating disorders Recovery Warriors Psycho-Education Group: Recovery Warriors is a monthly group that includes activities and strategies for coping and staying connected. This group is facilitated by two practitioners and run online and in person. Careful consideration is made in facilitating this group as it can often be the first time a client engages with EDQ services and gets insight into the counselling interventions used and the community that exists at EDQ. The group aims to support clients until they can move into more intensive therapy and support services. Participants are introduced to various therapeutic and support interventions as well as providing ongoing recovery skills and reminders to help their recovery pathway. This group is run in conjunction with the Recovery + Discovery Centre Mental Health Hub. Trauma Informed Yoga Group: Recovery from an eating disorder often involves a process of reconnection to the body. A yoga practice can be a way for people to make peace with the body, reclaim the body, and learn that the body can be reliable and safe again. Each group is run in person and six sessions are provided to participants. The sessions encourage connection with the body through practices of movement, breathing, meditation and relaxation.
Compassion and kindness for self are underlying principles for the practice and choice is provided for people to go at their own pace and comfort level. The yoga classes are taught from a trauma informed and mental health perspective and involve safety planning, which includes medical clearance by their treatment medical practitioner. Wise Choices: Wise Choices is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy based group program that runs for 11 weeks. It is facilitated by two practitioners and runs either online or in person. The group supports people who experience eating disorders or body image concerns to learn strategies to flexibly manage difficult thoughts and feelings. Within a group setting, the program aims to support participants to develop skills to lead a life of healthy and meaningful relationships with self and others. Events: Events are hosted at various times throughout the year, and they typically involve informal activities that aim to connect the community, reduce isolation and increase awareness of eating disorders. These events are open to all people in the community, not just clients who received EDQ services.
36. Safety is always ensured. Psycho-educational groups are an important way of ensuring the clients receive information about eating disorders and the various pathways to recovery. Research suggests that psycho-educational groups may increase the likelihood of people seeking support for their eating disorder as well as facilitating a reduction in symptoms69. Each psycho-educational group is designed to create a safe, intentional environment. Risk assessments must be carried out at the point of intake where all group participants are assessed for group readiness. This is a more complex issue for open rather than closed groups and facilitators may have to rely on their facilitation skills to deal with any unexpected issues and ensure the safety of the group. Similarly, confidentiality is an important aspect of ensuring safety in the group.
Fursland, A. et al. (2018) ‘A Single Session Assessment and Psychoeducational Intervention for Eating Disorders: Impact on treatment waitlists and eating disorder symptoms’, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 51, 1373-1377. 69
Eating Disorders Queensland
25
