Support Groups are not scheduled to convene for the foreseeable future. If you are interested in individual support, email info@edoyr.com for details.

Riverwalk offers support for men and women of all ages and their families: a referral is not required. Adult support groups are available for those who are 19 years of age or over. Teen support groups are available for those 13-19 years old. At least four registrations are required for any support group to begin.

If you are unable to attend a session for which you are registered let us know as a courtesy to the rest of the group. Refunds are not issued if you do not attend a group for which you have registered; refunds or credits are not issued for missed sessions . If the week before the program start date few registrations have been received, the program may be delayed. We will keep you informed. A full refund will be provided if the group does not start within two weeks of the proposed start date. Only the person who will be attending the group may register for themselves (family, friends, counselors, etc. may not register on behalf of someone else).

Please inquire if you would like to register to attend with a support person.

Please contact us by email at info@edoyr.com or call 905 886-6632 if you are interested in registering for any of the groups below. Once we receive an indication of interests from at least four individuals we will contact you to schedule the start date and convene the group. Groups may be on-going. For information regarding one-to-one support please email info@edoyr.com.

This group is for anyone who self-identifies as having issues with bingeing and has pro-health goals related to managing or challenging related thoughts or behaviour.

During the first group, participants will share their struggles and identify 1 behavioural goal that they would like the group's support to work on. This could be a pro-health change to eating habits, learning and trying out a new coping strategy, communication skills, or other related goals. Then participants will share strategies that have been helpful for them, and the facilitator will also make suggestions in this regard.

Subsequent weeks will be spent reviewing goals and related struggles, successes, and strategies related to each goal. Participants are encouraged to share openly about real-life experiences that they have.

This group will be facilitated by Michelle Scott, OT Reg. (Ont.), who has clinical experience working with people with eating disorders, as well as lived experience with an eating disorder herself (including binge eating).

Mindfulness and Recovery: During this group participants will learn to be fully present in the moment, paying attention to their feelings and thoughts in a non-judgmental manner. Often, an eating disorder prevents us from being in the present, distracting us from life. With the help of Mindfulness techniques participants can learn a healthy way of coping with the feelings of shame, anxiety, guilt, emptiness and a negative way of thinking. Mindfulness can teach you to connect with emotions or thoughts rather than being distracted from them. Participants will learn how to become aware of thoughts and feelings, and attend to them without reacting using habitual responses (e.g. binge/purge/restrict).

Healthy Coping Skills for Anxiety and Depression: Very often anxiety and depression are familiar feelings to someone struggling with disordered eating, body image issues and low self esteem. During this group you will learn how your negative thinking patters might be affecting your feelings and behaviors. You will be able to explore the “mechanisms” of anxiety and depression and learn why they are triggered. You will learn healthy coping techniques with your symptoms and you will be able to share your struggles and worries in a safe environment.

Support Group for Eating Disorder CBT(E): This group is suitable for anyone seeking support for the first time in a group format. The group is based on the Cognitive Behavioural Therapytechniques specifically developed for eating disorders (CBT-E). In this group participants will get a chance to learn how to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours that contribute to disordered eating. The facilitator will help identify internal and external factors that are intertwined with eating habits. You will receive helpful tools and learn techniques to address disordered eating. After the introductory four weeks, this group may be offered on an on-going basis with a focus around what works and what does not, as well as refining tools and techniques learned on the journey to recovery.

On the Road to Recovery: The Recovery group is intended for those who currently are actively working on maintaining changes which they have made in regards to their eating behaviours while attending other group programs through Riverwalk or participating in eating disorder treatment. The road to recovery is challenging sometimes and emotional support is necessary to overcome or prevent lapses. In a safe and empathetic environment this group will provide you with coping tools and support needed to address complicated emotions, unhealthy behaviors or unhelpful thoughts. This group is not structured, meaning you can bring your issues/difficulties/achievements to the group discussion. Together we will explore helpful ways to reduce symptoms and make meaningful changes.

Support Group for Family and Friends: This group is for anyone who would like to support a family member or friend who is living with an eating disorder. Eating disorders affect the entire family unit and can be very challenging for all involved.

This group will be an opportunity to connect to share struggles, successes, and challenges, and to empathize with and support one another.

The first week will be spent identifying one communication-based goal that will be addressed for the 4-session group. Subsequent weeks will be spent working on this goal. Group material will involve a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) framework.

Timing - Four, 1-hour long sessions, for 4 subsequent weeks

Minimum registration - 4 people

Fee - $130/pp

Length - 4 weeks

Dates - Flexible, depending on interest/availability