Eating Disorder Support Groups for Parents: When a Daughter or Son is Fighting Anorexia, Bulimia or Binge Eating

Here is a list of support groups for parents in the United States. If a daughter of son is struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified), their parents need counseling, too. Please contact the following groups directly for more information:

Beverly Hills and Sherman Oaks, CA: Therapeutic/Educational Groups for Family Members and Friends: These groups welcome parents, spouses, partners, siblings, and other family members/ friends of eating disordered individuals. The groups offer members an empathic, non-judgmental forum for emotional processing.

Additionally, practical techniques to help effectively support eating disordered loved ones are explained in congruence with in-depth education about the causes & functions of eating disorders. Family dynamics that may be unintentional exacerbating factors will be explored with a strong communication skills building component. Registration required. Groups conveniently scheduled around most individuals' work schedules.

Groups are facilitated by a therapist possessing extensive experience treating eating disordered individuals and their families in several clinic/hospital-based eating disorder programs as well as in private practice. For more information, contact Jennifer Mudocca, M.A., MFTi at 323-769-5745 or email her.

Petaluma, CA – Free ANAD Support Group for Friends and Family Members: This support group is an ongoing, drop-in group for friends and family members who have concerns about a loved one with an eating disorder. Meeting location and time: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 10:30am-12:30pm at 320 Western Ave., Petaluma, CA. Facilitators: Haleh Kashani, PhD and Joan. For more information call Eating Disorders Outreach of Sonoma County phone line at 707-778-7849.

Royal Oak, MI - Parent Coaching Program: William Beaumont Hospital's Pediatric Department introduces the Nancy Rambeau Hough Parent Coaching Program for parents of adolescents struggling with eating disorders.

The Parent Coaching Program has been specifically developed to assist parents in effectively supporting their adolescents through the eating disorder recovery process, while simultaneously providing them with encouragement. Dealing with families that are actively struggling with eating disorders can be very stressful and frustrating even for the most skilled treatment providers.

Therefore, a goal of this program is to enhance treatment services offered within the community. The Parent Coaching Program is aimed at enhancing parental competence and skill as well as increasing pro-active parental involvement in their adolescent's recovery.

Participant Criteria: parents of adolescents (18 years of age or younger) dealing with active eating disorder issues; a commitment to attend and participate in the 12 week program; adolescent needs to be actively engaged in treatment with a therapist and pediatrician (minimally, through the duration of this program). Time and location: weekly group for 12 weeks, Wednesday from 7:00-8:30pm at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI. Facilitator: Stephanie B. Milstein, Ph.D., Contact: 248-551-2385.

Omaha, NE – Family Support Group. The Eating Disorders Program at Children's Hospital of Omaha, Nebraska offers a family support group to all former, outpatient and inpatient families. The group meets the third Monday of every month from 4:30- 6:00pm in the Children's Hospital Glow conference room. This program provides families much needed support to make recovery possible and successful. For more information or to reserve a seat call 402-955-6190.

Ithaca, NY - Parent Support Group: This group meets every other week, alternating Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension. This is a free support group for parents and loved ones of young people with eating disorders. For more information contact Nancy Potter at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-272-2292.

New York, NY – Free Friends and Family Monthly Support Group: This support group is for those who are concerned about a friend or family member who may have an eating disorder. The group meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 6pm - 7:15pm at The Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia at The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy at 1841 Broadway, 4th floor, NY, NY, phone 212-333-3444.

Salt Lake City, UT - New Life Foundation free friends and family support group: The Friends and Family Support Group is held on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month from 5:30-6:30 pm. This self-help support group offers an opportunity to gain insight and awareness about how to support a loved one during his/her recovery. The group is held at New Life Foundation 1255 East 3900 South, Ste 301www.newlifefoundation.cc or call Sabrina Martinez at 801-983-6441.

Aug 20, 2008 8:41 AM

Guest :

My daughter has recently been diagnosed with anorexia. How can I get her to eat?

Aug 20, 2008 10:00 AM

Lori Henry :

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. Dealing with an eating disorder is a difficult road, but recovery IS possible! I would suggest reading through the vast amount of articles on this website, searching the net for eating disorder communities (pro-recovery), and reading as many books about the subject as you possibly can. This will equip you with tools to help you stay balanced and give you an idea of what to expect over the course of her recovery. She should also get into professional therapy. Check your local area for resources you can get to easily. By speaking to a professional that she trusts (you may have to go through a few in order the find the "right" one), she can begin to see a life without anorexia.

Sep 9, 2008 6:52 PM

Guest :

We need help..The ED has taken on a personality of it's own.She wil lie,steal,cheat to binge or get laxatives.10 hospitalizations,60,000 dollars and she will not listen..I have even threatened to kick her out,because my other children are starting to suffer emotionally..She even steals from them..She is in college and I can't live with it anymore..It has been over 5 years..My own parents hate me because they think I am mean..I am broke and exhausted...nothing helps and she is know over 18....She has been in every hospital on the east coast..so, it isn't a matter of finding the doctor..We have seen all the experts...Something has to give or I am going to jump off a bridge.

Oct 27, 2008 7:47 AM

Guest :

My daughter too was diagnosed with Anorexia almost 3 years ago. She was inpatient at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for 2 1/2 months and came out at her goal weight and seemed to be handling things very well. After a few weeks I noticed her eating habits changing back. Lettuce, lettuce and more lettuce. I would remind her that she needed to continue her counts (calorie intake) for each meal, but as weeks went by she stopped hearing me. She was readmitted this summer - something I pushed for. After only 5 days she was back on day hopsital meaning she went from 7 am til after dinner and home at night. This time she is doing much better. She struggles everyday - I won't kid you or myself - she is not Anna free - and it breaks my heart. There are days that she will eat, not as much as needed, but she'll eat without my reminding her. Other days she looks like she would rather die than take a bite of anything more than a piece of lettuce. I know that if Anna keeps controlling her, she will die. She is a senior in high school, president of her class, field hockey co-captain - straight A/B student in all A/P classes. Wants to fo to Frodham next year - and I simply can't imagine her leaving the state. Leaving me. It scares me to think what will be coming home to me on Thanksgiving break. For now I pray - I pray alot - I listen to her - at times I tell her it's okay - today is not a good day, so lets get a caesar salad and we'll worry about the rest later. Oh yeah - and I'm sneaky. She loves Starbucks - I know the people in the store - so when she orders a skinny (sugar free), non-fat cinnamon dolce - they make it with regular syrup and whole milk - which she thinks she's allergic to. Funny - it doesn't bother her at all - an easy 380 calories! Anyway - as a parent you have to do what you need to in order to survive - pray, smile, cry, laugh and scream...... just keep loving him/her and listen - always listen to how they are feeling.

Oct 27, 2008 8:51 AM

Lori Henry :

Thank you so much for your comment. You daughter is so lucky to have you as a mother and supporter. You are doing all the right things. You're attitude is no doubt helping her, no matter how little it seems some days. KEEP GOING, the road to recovery has started and she will need your help to take a step down it everyday. Just make sure you're also getting the help you need, complete with breaks and time for yourself that isn't spent battling "Ana."

Mar 19, 2009 9:55 PM

Guest :

All eating disorder victims should be assessed for premorbid conditions as well as disorders caused by the illness. Neuroscienceinc.com is licensed by Medicare in the US and an invaluable aid to practitioners who are devoted to help victims of this illness recover their lives. This illness is not just behavioral, it has very significant (and multigenerational) markers of neuroimmune dysfunction that can be corrected according to the unique condition of every person. Nutritional therapies, amino acids therapy and neurotransmitter therapy are critical for recovery...and most important, don't forget to hug these suffering souls and tell them how powerful and worthy of a good life they are.

Apr 13, 2009 8:25 PM

Guest :

My Daughter is 15.5 and suffers from Bulimia, She is seeing a therapist weekly right now. I need to find a Physician that understands this disease, to have her checked out physically. Any resources in Sonoma County? Specifically Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa or Petaluma? Sonoma would be ok.

Jun 29, 2009 4:45 PM

Guest :

My daughter had anorexia in middle school and was hospitalized at Stanford. It took weekly visits for 2 years to get her back to target weight and she seemed to be over it. Now that she is 18, it is back with a vengeance - she is going to college soon (out of state) and I can't imagine her being able to handle it all. I am at my wit's end and for such a smart girl, I can't believe she is doing this to herself. She keeps telling me she is an adult and can handle this alone. I feel like I am losing my mind too - this battle seems to be between the two of us now. I know thousands of women have recovreed from this and go on to lead healthy lives, but I feel so scared. Any advice? Thanks - Bay Area (CA) Mom