Falling under a mental health classification,eating disordershave the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.Eating disorders can affect everyone, no matter their age, gender, or sexuality.Treatment for eating disorderscan be an exhaustive undertaking and may even include hospitalization. Having a strong support system is a vital part of treatment, in which individuals can learn and find understanding all in one place.Eating disorder support groups were created for that specific reason. From treatment centers to nonprofits and beyond, there are several eating disorder associations and organizations offering support groups to complement more formal treatment. However, there aren’t a lot of resources that list them all in one easily accessible place. We found some of the best eating disorder support groups, whether you are in the midst of or in recovery from aneating disorder, or aloved onelooking to support someone who is struggling.Best Eating Disorder Support Groups of 2024Best Overall:Center for DiscoveryBest Self-Help Support Group:Recovery RecordBest Professionally Operated Support Group:The Alliance for Eating Disorders AwarenessBest Open Support Group:18percentBest Closed Support Group:EDCareBest for All Ages:AlsanaBest for Kids & Teens:National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)Best for Friends, Family, and Caretakers:The Eating Disorder FoundationBest for Specific Disorders:Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Falling under a mental health classification,eating disordershave the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.Eating disorders can affect everyone, no matter their age, gender, or sexuality.Treatment for eating disorderscan be an exhaustive undertaking and may even include hospitalization. Having a strong support system is a vital part of treatment, in which individuals can learn and find understanding all in one place.Eating disorder support groups were created for that specific reason. From treatment centers to nonprofits and beyond, there are several eating disorder associations and organizations offering support groups to complement more formal treatment. However, there aren’t a lot of resources that list them all in one easily accessible place. We found some of the best eating disorder support groups, whether you are in the midst of or in recovery from aneating disorder, or aloved onelooking to support someone who is struggling.
Falling under a mental health classification,eating disordershave the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.Eating disorders can affect everyone, no matter their age, gender, or sexuality.Treatment for eating disorderscan be an exhaustive undertaking and may even include hospitalization. Having a strong support system is a vital part of treatment, in which individuals can learn and find understanding all in one place.
Eating disorder support groups were created for that specific reason. From treatment centers to nonprofits and beyond, there are several eating disorder associations and organizations offering support groups to complement more formal treatment. However, there aren’t a lot of resources that list them all in one easily accessible place. We found some of the best eating disorder support groups, whether you are in the midst of or in recovery from aneating disorder, or aloved onelooking to support someone who is struggling.
Best Eating Disorder Support Groups of 2024Best Overall:Center for DiscoveryBest Self-Help Support Group:Recovery RecordBest Professionally Operated Support Group:The Alliance for Eating Disorders AwarenessBest Open Support Group:18percentBest Closed Support Group:EDCareBest for All Ages:AlsanaBest for Kids & Teens:National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)Best for Friends, Family, and Caretakers:The Eating Disorder FoundationBest for Specific Disorders:Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Best Eating Disorder Support GroupsView AllBest Eating Disorder Support GroupsOur Top PicksCenter for DiscoveryRecovery RecordThe Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness18percentEDCareAlsanaNational Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)The Eating Disorder FoundationMulti-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)See More (6)Final VerdictCompare ProvidersFrequently Asked QuestionsHow We Chose the Best Eating Disorder Support Groups
Best Eating Disorder Support GroupsView All
View All
Best Eating Disorder Support Groups
Final Verdict
Compare Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Chose the Best Eating Disorder Support Groups
Best Overall:Center for Discovery
Center for DiscoverySign Up Now
Center for Discovery
Sign Up Now
Why We Chose It:This top-notch eating disorder treatment facility brings over 20 years of experience to its free online support groups that you can attend, regardless of whether you’ve been treated there.
What We LikeLong history of eating disorder expertiseOffers other servicesWhat We Don’t LikeOnly available via ZoomNot all support groups meet weekly
What We LikeLong history of eating disorder expertiseOffers other services
Long history of eating disorder expertise
Offers other services
What We Don’t LikeOnly available via ZoomNot all support groups meet weekly
Only available via Zoom
Not all support groups meet weekly
Center for Discovery is a well-established and trusted residential and outpatient eating disorder treatment facility. It not only treats a wide range of eating disorders—includingbinge eating disorderandbulimia nervosa—but also offers treatment for teens with substance abuse and/or mental health disorders. Though there are locations across the United States, each is tailored to a specific treatment program. This helps clients receive specialized care.
Center for Discovery hosts a number of virtual eating disorder support groups as well. Meetings take place on a HIPPA-compliant Zoom video conference platform, so attendees can expect privacy (and have the added option to join anonymously).
While clinicians are present, these groups are intended for peer support and serve alongside a treatment program.
The time and frequency vary based on the group, but with multiple options, it’s likely you’ll be able to find a group that suits your needs.
Best Self-Help Support Group:Recovery Record
Recovery RecordSign Up Now
Recovery Record
Why We Chose It:Recovery Road is an app that can be used in a self-help capacity and has capabilities such as meal logs, goal tracking, and anonymous peer support messaging.
What We LikeOffers robust app featuresAbility to message clinical team through the appWhat We Don’t LikeNo face-to-face meetings with peers
What We LikeOffers robust app featuresAbility to message clinical team through the app
Offers robust app features
Ability to message clinical team through the app
What We Don’t LikeNo face-to-face meetings with peers
No face-to-face meetings with peers
The free app allows users to send and receive messages and virtual gifts to other users. Users can also access messages from different members of their treatment team, keeping everyone involved in their care informed.
Recovery Road is packed with additional features, including a place to record mealtime and concurrent thoughts, coping tactics, and built-in charts to visualize progress. The app can be downloaded on theApp StoreorGoogle Play.
Best Professionally Operated Support Group:The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
The Alliance for Eating Disorders AwarenessSign Up Now
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness
Free, weekly groups available
What We Don’t LikeNo support groups for adolescents or teensPre-registration required
No support groups for adolescents or teens
Pre-registration required
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is the only national eating disorder association to offer support groups directly. They are open to the public but completely confidential.
As with other support groups, these sessions are not designed to replace treatment, instead giving participants a safe space to discuss ongoing issues related to their recovery.
Best Open Support Group:18percent
18percentSign Up Now
18percent
Why We Chose It:Anyone with an internet connection can join immediately, without having to wait for a meeting time.
What We LikeChannels for various mental health issuesOpportunity for anonymity
Channels for various mental health issues
Opportunity for anonymity
Only available via Slack
18percent was founded in 2007 and is a free support group that lives entirely online. This community is hosted on Slack, giving users the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world in real-time. With channels created for various mental health illnesses, including eating disorders, users can get support with a number of struggles while swapping stories and making friends.
When this community started, roughly 18% of people were said to be living with a mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, that number climbed to 20.6% of U.S. adults in 2019.
Open to people of all ages, users can choose to be anonymous, as email addresses that are used to sign up are not public or shared (though because this is on Slack, it is not HIPAA-compliant).
18percent is not affiliated with any organization and is not clinician-led, though there are moderators available.
Best Closed Support Group:EDCare
EDCareSign Up Now
EDCare
What We LikeOffers additional servicesGroups with therapeutic practicesWhat We Don’t LikeAssociated feesNo online registration
What We LikeOffers additional servicesGroups with therapeutic practices
Offers additional services
Groups with therapeutic practices
What We Don’t LikeAssociated feesNo online registration
Associated fees
No online registration
EDCare has been serving patients since 2001, with four locations treating adults 18 years and older. With both inpatient and outpatient options, EDCare solely treats individuals with eating disorders and maintains a world-class research center that collaborates with Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Four of the five support groups require pre-screening and a $30 fee, which can be paid out of pocket or sent to insurance. There’s also a free group led in conjunction with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) that does not require screening.
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) Group and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group are both based on traditional therapies and meet virtually.
If you’re looking for a support group that blends in therapeutic methods, EDCare’s offerings help give participants additional coping skills to directly apply to their specific eating disorder treatment.
Best for All Ages:Alsana
AlsanaSign Up Now
Alsana
Why We Chose It:Alsana offers no-cost groups that serve people of all ages, not just adults.
What We LikeNo minimum age requirementOffers additional servicesWhat We Don’t LikeGroup meets during business hoursNo drop-ins allowed
What We LikeNo minimum age requirementOffers additional services
No minimum age requirement
What We Don’t LikeGroup meets during business hoursNo drop-ins allowed
Group meets during business hours
No drop-ins allowed
Alsana is an Eating Recovery Center that has five locations across the country. It offers inpatient and outpatient care—some of which is done virtually—for a number of eating disorders and co-occurring conditions for both adults and, at some locations, adolescents as well.
Best for Kids & Teens:National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)Sign Up Now
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
Why We Chose It:The oldest eating disorder nonprofit in the country has a weekly support group for adolescents and teens.
What We LikeProven history of eating disorder treatmentOffers additional servicesWhat We Don’t LikeMust pre-registerGroup begins during West Coast school hours
What We LikeProven history of eating disorder treatmentOffers additional services
Proven history of eating disorder treatment
What We Don’t LikeMust pre-registerGroup begins during West Coast school hours
Must pre-register
Group begins during West Coast school hours
There aren’t many support groups dedicated specifically to young people who are looking for a safe space to discuss their eating disorders. Luckily, ANAD has afree virtual support group that meets weekly and is aimed at adolescents and teens.
ANAD’s support groups emphasize peer-to-peer connection and are open to the public—though you do have to register before joining a group. Besides the adolescent- andteen-specific group, there are eight other support groups serving various populations, so there is likely a support group that will work for you.
Best for Friends,Family,and Caretakers:The Eating Disorder Foundation
The Eating Disorder FoundationSign Up Now
The Eating Disorder Foundation
Why We Chose It:The Eating Disorder Foundation emphasizes the importance of loved ones and caregivers also getting support, with three separate groups designed specifically for them.
What We LikeAcknowledges that caregivers need support tooOffers additional virtual servicesWhat We Don’t LikeNo friends and family groups for adolescents or teensPre-registration required
What We LikeAcknowledges that caregivers need support tooOffers additional virtual services
Acknowledges that caregivers need support too
Offers additional virtual services
What We Don’t LikeNo friends and family groups for adolescents or teensPre-registration required
No friends and family groups for adolescents or teens
There are three different support groups for friends, family members, and caretakers of people who have eating disorders, including one aimed specifically at siblings of a loved one.
These support groups are for adults ages 18 and older, and they serve as a place to talk through how best to support an individual struggling or in recovery from an eating disorder.
Best for Specific Disorders:Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)Sign Up Now
Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Why We Chose It:While other associations address eating disorders as a whole, MEDA has offerings for specific disorders, allowing for a more personalized experience.
What We LikeCan help individuals find treatment programs or cliniciansOffers groups for teens and adults age 13 and upWhat We Don’t LikeAssociated feesRequires a commitment of eight weeks
What We LikeCan help individuals find treatment programs or cliniciansOffers groups for teens and adults age 13 and up
Can help individuals find treatment programs or clinicians
Offers groups for teens and adults age 13 and up
What We Don’t LikeAssociated feesRequires a commitment of eight weeks
Requires a commitment of eight weeks
Located in New England, Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) offers eating disorder support, zeroing in on a variety of specific eating disorders to help people looking for specific resources.
Not only will MEDA help people find an appropriate treatment center or provider, but it also offers support groups for those looking for additional support. It has six different support groups for all genders and ages, including those specifically suffering from binge eating disorder,body dysmorphia, and even friends and family working to support a loved one through treatment.
MEDA’s support groups meet online for participants aged 13 and older. These groups provide the chance to receive guidance from mental health professionals and peers in a safe space.
What Is an Eating Disorder Support Group?
An eating disorder support group brings together individuals and facilitators to openly discuss experiences, acting as a supplement to treatment for eating disorders. Depending on the group, those who are alumni of recovery programs or are caregivers for people undergoing treatment for an eating disorder are invited to join.
The structure of eating disorder support groups can vary, but all aim to allow participants to share personal stories and gain coping strategies. Though scheduling varies based on the group, many support groups meet weekly or biweekly and follow a specific schedule. While there are some support groups that meet in person, many others operate on a virtual basis.
What Are the Most Common Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are an illness categorized under the umbrella of mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa are common eating disorders, with anorexia nervosa following behind, but proving to be very serious.
It is estimated that nearly 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Of the 7.8 million people who will develop an eating disorder in the future, 25% of those cases will occur before the age of 20.
What Causes Eating Disorders?
Does Insurance Cover Eating Disorder Support Groups?
A vast majority of eating disorder support groups are free of charge, as they operate independently from traditional treatment programs. If a support group does require a fee—to help with operational costs, for example—it should be clearly stated how to pay and whether or not it can be submitted to your insurance provider.
Are Eating Disorder Support Groups Confidential?
Eating disorder support groups encourage members to be open to sharing and receiving experiences with eating disorders. Therefore, there is a high likelihood of confidentiality; clarification of this can be requested when joining a group, such as if a facilitator believes there is a clear and present danger of harm to a member of the group that requires a specific reporting protocol.
Can an Eating Disorder Support Group Help?
Though results can’t be guaranteed, support groups do offer a safe space for members to discuss any issues that may arise during or after treatment for an eating disorder. While not entirely the same,group therapyhas been found to benefit people with eating disorders.
One meta-analysis found that group therapy for eating disorders appeared to be as effective as individualized, evidence-based options. One bonus: group treatments are often more cost-effective than individual psychotherapy.
This provides hope for the efficacy of managing eating disorder symptoms in a group setting as one key piece of a holistic approach to treating the illness.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, help is available via the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline. Call or text (800) 931-2237. For additional mental health resources, visit ourNational Helpline Database.
Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images
These eating disorder support groups were chosen based on a variety of factors, including recommendations from reputable and established eating disorder associations. We looked at a variety of treatment centers, nonprofits, and organizations that specialize in eating disorder treatment, awareness, and research, looking first at their support group offerings and what resources they recommend for individuals. We also wanted to provide a list of groups that would reach a wide group of people.
Finally, we looked at how well established each eating disorder support group was, considering factors such as frequency and accessibility.
The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and Tested
Article SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC).Facts about eating disorders: what the research shows.NIMH.Mental illness.NIMH.Eating disorders.Deloitte Access Economics.The social and economic costs of eating disorders in the United States of America: a report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).What causes an eating disorder?Grenon R, Schwartze D, Hammond N, et al.Group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(9):997-1013. doi:10.1002/eat.22744
Article Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC).Facts about eating disorders: what the research shows.NIMH.Mental illness.NIMH.Eating disorders.Deloitte Access Economics.The social and economic costs of eating disorders in the United States of America: a report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).What causes an eating disorder?Grenon R, Schwartze D, Hammond N, et al.Group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(9):997-1013. doi:10.1002/eat.22744
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC).Facts about eating disorders: what the research shows.NIMH.Mental illness.NIMH.Eating disorders.Deloitte Access Economics.The social and economic costs of eating disorders in the United States of America: a report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).What causes an eating disorder?Grenon R, Schwartze D, Hammond N, et al.Group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(9):997-1013. doi:10.1002/eat.22744
Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC).Facts about eating disorders: what the research shows.
NIMH.Mental illness.
NIMH.Eating disorders.
Deloitte Access Economics.The social and economic costs of eating disorders in the United States of America: a report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).What causes an eating disorder?
Grenon R, Schwartze D, Hammond N, et al.Group psychotherapy for eating disorders: A meta-analysis.Int J Eat Disord. 2017;50(9):997-1013. doi:10.1002/eat.22744
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
