Why Group therapy?
Group therapy has been considered one of the more effective treatment modalities for eating disorders, particularly when combined with individual therapy. It allows people struggling with an eating disorder to disclose their own experiences in a non-judgemental setting and to step out of the cycle of secrecy, guilt and shame.
The sharing of homework assignments and learning of skills in a group setting can facilitate motivation to change as well as perseverance. We have decided to base the main part of our treatment on a psychotherapeutic approach called Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT), as studies have shown it to be incredibly effective when incorporated into the treatment of bulimia and binge eating disorders.
We hope that with the group therapy we are offering you will find the skills and resources you need to embark on this gradual and step by step pathway to recovery.
In order to get from what was to what will be, you must go through what is. - Anonymous
The aims of this Group
This eating disorders therapy group is for adults who would like to learn to overcome their disordered eating patterns associated with binge eating or bulimia. The focus of the group lies on coaching participants in the use of DBT skills to help them overcome strong emotions and stressful situations without losing control and acting in self-sabotaging ways, one of the main components leading to binges and subsequent purges. This approach helps build skills in distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Please note that the aim of this group is not focused on weigth loss. The programme is based on the premise that clients who stop binge eating and purging and instead use adaptive skills to regulate emotions typically experience weight loss and/or weight stabilisation.
In addition to providing education on eating disorders, emotional skills training, theories on attachment and neuro-psychology, the group also addresses self esteem issues, utilising CBT, and Buddhist meditations based on Tara Brach's pathway to Radical Acceptance.
When the world says "Give up," Hope whispers "Try it one more time." - Unknown
Is this group the right one for me?
This programme is for adults, age 17 yrs and up, suffering from an eating disorder, particularly binge eating and/or bulimia.
To determine whether you can benefit from this group please click on the link to our self questionnaire. It will help you assess your eating disorder presentation in regard to the programme we offer and you can then decide whether the DBT approach may be the one for you.
Should you feel you can commit to this group we will send you an agreement prior to the first session outlining the cancellation policy, responsibilities of therapists and participants and payment options.
No one said it would be easy, just that it will be worth it. They did not lie! - A former fellow eating disorders sufferer
Eating Disorder Programme:
Our programme consists of 25 sessions once weekly lasting 2 hours respectively. One hour will be spent on education and teaching new skills, the other is reserved for processing, role plays and learning to integrate emotional experiencing.
In order for the group programme to be as effective as possible all sessions need be attended and a minimum of 6 participants is required. While each module is in itself a closed unit, the modules build up on and interact with one another so best effectiveness is reached if all modules are worked through.
A minimum of 6 participants is required.
The group will not exceed 9 participants.
The current group is now closed until April 2012. Should you be interested in participating in our next group therapy programme in 2012 please feel free to contact us.
The group will run Tuesday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30 pm.
Fees: $90 per individual, per session, this includes the assessment interview. WINZ subsidies may be possible for low income earners or beneficiaries.
Who Are We?
Karin is a Clinical Psychologist with a postgraduate training in psychotherapy. She is also trained in DBT and has been facilitating a DBT based skills groups for people with borderline personality disorder.
Karin has been practicing on the North Shore for the past thirteen years in the public mental health sector as well in private practice.
For more information visit Karin's website at:
www.karinrup.com