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In this padlet, I present a group work

intervention for women with eating issues by addressing the group dynamics, strengths, struggles, group types and allowing for them to gain support through group intervention on their eating issues recovery. It is critical for group workers to ensure that they have done their research on eating issues and have experience working with women who are struggling with them. Additionally, it is vital to consider the group dynamics and processes and how to address the different group stages as they arise and any potential conflicts.

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Women with eating issues will need a lot of support, as the decision to get help with an eating disorder is not an easy one (Smith, 2021). Many individuals struggling will eating issues will be in denial and will be resistant to wanting to seek help. Because of this, it means the group intervention will need to be a slow and patient process. Additionally, with women who suffer from eating issues, there may be topics and other individuals’ experiences that may trigger them and their eating disorders. While working in groups with these individuals it is vital to ensure the group is aware of this and if someone is unable to participate in some discussions they are able to be excused (Hower, 2018). Additionally, as there are many different types of eating issues, group intervention will need to take this into account and ensure that all the different eating disorder types are acknowledged and groups are organized by this if needed (Striegel-Moore & Cachelin, 2001). A strength that many individuals with eating issues possess is they can often be perfectionists and have a  preference for routine (Hower, 2018). This will affect group intervention because the group should incorporate a routine into the group intervention and ensure their needs are being met.

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Online groups can be extremely beneficial for women with eating issues. Women with eating issues who have access to the internet have the ability to access support groups at their own convenience and from different locations (McCormack, 2010). Additionally, women with eating issues are often stigmatized and discussing sensitive and personal issues can be easier over the internet for some individuals due to the anonymity that online groups can provide (Drumm, 2006). As well, face-to-face groups in-person groups are also appropriate for women with eating issues, as these groups provide the support, information and reduction of shame that these individuals require in a group intervention (McCormack, 2010). Further, face-to-face group intervention allows for the women to better perceive each other’s needs and are able to utilize non-verbal communication better in their interactions. A type of group work that is not appropriate for women with eating issues, is task group intervention. Task groups are groups complied of individuals who are working towards a specific goal or action (Fernandez, 2019). This type of group work does not work for women with eating issues, as everyone has their own specific needs and goals to be addressed as eating issues are very dynamic.

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As a facilitator for group work intervention for women with eating issues, it is critical that they are genuine, trustworthy, compassionate, and gentle with their approach (Black, 2003). While working with this group it is also beneficial for the facilitator to be in the mental health field, and have experience in counselling but specifically with individuals with eating issues. It is critical to ensure the facilitator is skilled and knowledgeable about eating issues since improperly addressing eating issues can be detrimental to one’s health and can do a lot of damage. The facilitator will also be responsible for ensuring the group rules are set out and followed by the group members, to ensure that everyone is following the guidelines to prevent any ethical breaches (Reyes-Rodríguez, et al., 2013). This is important for a group of women with eating issues as confidentiality is very important and should be emphasized. As well, if the group has other sorts of rules that the members should follow, they need to be enforced to ensure the group members feel safe (Black, 2003). Facilitators for this group will also need to be able to lead and run the activities that may take place in the sessions. Additionally, facilitators should be constantly reevaluating the group and ensuring that they are improving the group and its dynamics after every session (Group Process and Group Dynamic, 2021).

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When working in group work with women with eating struggles it is important to be mindful that their eating behaviours might be a reflection of their own internal conflict that they have experienced during their lives (Black, 2003). Often for women with eating issues if they feel powerless in aspects of their lives, they will use controlling their eating as a way to gain power back (Black, 2003). It will be vital for both the group participants and the facilitator to be mindful and conscious that everyone is dealing with their own battles and they might be manifesting in the form of eating struggles and to empower others while being gentle with your approach (Anti-Oppressive Group Work, 2021). As well, this group will be compiled of individuals who are struggling with issues of lack of power in their lives and may use the support group to take on a role of leadership. It will be critical to be mindful and aware as to why individuals may be taking on certain roles and how this is a reflection of something in their lives outside of the group (Anti-Oppressive Group Work, 2021).

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Individuals are going to be apprehensive about recruitment into group support work and many will be reluctant to want to get better. When recruiting individuals into group support work they will need to be willing to give group therapy a chance and should be open to working with others who are grappling with similar issues. The preferred setting would be in a safe place where individuals are able to feel comfortable and have the opportunity to leave the space if needed if a sensitive topic is brought up (Hower, 2018). It is also vital to keep support groups smaller and avoid large overwhelming groups, to allow for the group members to be able to have more connections amongst the group and can feel safer to share their personal stories and struggles.  It has been shown that many women in eating issues support groups benefit from doing activities such as creating artwork (Rumney, 2009). Art therapy can be an amazing tool and outlet for many who are struggling and is a way to express and explore their feelings (Rumney, 2009). As well, other activities that are beneficial for eating issue support groups might be allowing individuals who require supervised meals to have a place to do so (Stein, et al., 2001).

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Beginning and Middle Phases of Group Development

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Beginning and Middle Phases of Group Development

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In the beginning stage while the group is in its forming stage, members will be dealing with different anxieties and worries about working with a group and disclosing their information (Tuckman’s model: Behaviors & tasks, 2005). In the beginning, many individuals may not only apprehensive to change their eating habits but also be nervous about admitting to them and also talking about them with a group. In order to address this, it is important to go slow and ensure that throughout the group process that individuals are comfortable and are provided with a safe place to express their feelings. Additionally, it is important that confidentiality, goals of the group and group guidelines are set out at the beginning of the group. During the middle phases, the group’s member roles will start to emerge and conflict may manifest (Considering Conflict in Group Work, 2021). While working with women with eating issues, often a competitive side can come out of the women, as many individuals with eating issues can get competitive, and this may cause friction between group members as individuals may fight for a power role (McCormack, 2014). During the middle phase, it will be important for the facilitator to be aware that this type of conflict may arise and ensure that no one is put into a position where this might be an issue.

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Group intervention for women with eating issues can have many beneficial aspects and can be an amazing addition to a pre-existing treatment plan. Support groups allow for women with eating issues to talk about their eating struggles and gain other women’s perspectives in a supervised setting that can ensure destructive behaviours are avoided (Hower, 2018). This is why it is very important to have a knowledgeable and professional facilitator leading the groups to ensure that the group members are all working together in a positive way and are sharing their experiences in a manner that will not be detrimental to others’ recovery. As well it helps the women reduce feelings of isolation and that they are struggling with these issues on their own. Additionally, group members have the opportunity to support each other through their personal recoveries and share positive and reinforcing encouragement for their recovery (Smith, 2021). Additionally, programs and group work that targets supporting individuals with eating issues, often focus on reducing the shame and stigma surrounding it and help educate and provide beneficial knowledge to its members (Ali, et al., 2017).

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While ending a group it is very beneficial for the facilitator to do an evaluation of the group will be beneficial for the facilitator in order to improve future groups and adjust accordingly (Doing Evulation, 2021). While doing this it would be beneficial to create a survey about their experience, as well as ask questions to the group that invite change (Doing Evulation, 2021). While working with women with eating issues, it is critical to take in their thoughts and opinions on how the group was ran and ensure that you make any adjustments in the future to avoid the same mistakes if there are any. It is critical that facilitators emphasize the confidentiality of the group members, even after the group is over (Stice, E. et al., 2019). This is critical while working with women with eating issues since anonymity is extremely important even once group with is done. No one should ever use other people’s names or share their stories without their consent. As well, while ending the group it is critical to ensure that everyone’s needs were met in the group and everyone is leaving without any negative feelings towards their experience. It is critical while working with women with eating issues that they end the group with information and resources for further support that they are able to utilize.

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In conclusion support groups for women with eating issues can be very beneficial and provide the members with new knowledge and support that will help them along their recovery journey. Having a professional that is extremely knowledgeable on the topic of eating issues is vital while working with women with eating issues to avoid any potential detrimental issues that can arise while talking about and sharing information on this topic. While working with this group, it is important to be compassionate, mindful and well-informed in the information that you are providing. Providing uneducated information can be detrimental to this group and can have a very negative effect. Additionally, one will need to be very patient and understanding while working with this group, as there can be many ups and downs and struggles that will emerge throughout the group process. You can not force someone who is grappling with eating issues to make changes or to get support but being an encouraging and helpful person in their life can go a long way (Smith, 2021).

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https://doi.com/10.1097/NCN.0b013e3181c04b06

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Schmid, J. (2021). Considering Conflict in Group Work. Viulearn. Retrieved from https://learn.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/185475/viewContent/2328542/View.

Schmid, J. (2021). Doing Evaluation. Viulearn. Retrieved from https://learn.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/185475/viewContent/2328558/View

Schmid, J. (2021). Group Process and Group Dynamic. Viulearn. Retrieved from https://learn.viu.ca/d2l/le/content/185475/viewContent/2328508/View

Smith, M. (2021). Helping someone with an eating disorder. HelpGuide. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/helping-someone-with-an-eating-disorder.htm.

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Reyes-Rodríguez, M. L., Ramírez, J., Davis, K., Patrice, K., & Bulik, C. M. (2013). Exploring barriers and facilitators in eating disorders treatment among Latinas in the United States. Journal of Latina/o psychology, 1(2), 112. https://doi:10.1037/a0032318

Rumney, A. (2009). Dying to please: Anorexia, treatment and recovery. McFarland.