All of our groups are meant to be complementary to formal mental health services and/or medical treatment and are not a replacement for these services.

Our support groups are open to residents of Eastern Ontario who are aged 17+ (except the Family & Friends support group). We offer support programming both in-person and virtually. Those offered virtually will be using the online platform Zoom.

Hopewell strives to make our programs accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation. Should our fee be a barrier to you participating in our programs and groups or if you are unable to complete the registration online with a credit card, you can contact our Program Coordinator at programs@hopewell.ca to discuss alternative options.

Now offering free programming to Indigenous, Inuit, First Nations & Métis communities.

Programs Offered

General Peer Support Group

Support groups meet to give and receive peer support and information. The group operates with input from group participants; that is, group members can determine (within a safe scope) topics to be discussed, and information they want to share with one another. It is an informal network of individuals who share common struggles with food, weight and body image. This type of group is meant to complement, rather than replace services such as counselling, therapy and in-patient care.

General Peer Support can be offered both in-person and virtually, depending on demand from season to season.

Binge Eating Peer Support Group

This peer support group is for those struggling with binge-eating disorder or emotional/compulsive eating. This group offers a safe and inclusive space that allows individuals to discuss topics important to achieving long-term recovery and share experiences and emotions to help each other make positive lifestyle changes. While no formal BED diagnosis is required, this group is intended for folks who experience BED symptoms and emotional/compulsive eating behaviours. This group is not suitable for individuals with any other eating disorder diagnosis or those engaging in compensatory behaviours. This group is meant to complement formal mental health services and/or medical treatment, rather than replace these services.

2SLGBTQ+ Peer Support Group

This group offers a safe and inclusive space for participants to get support, share experiences, and explore topics unique to their identities and eating disorder recovery. This group is led by queer, non-binary facilitators and is intended for residents of Eastern Ontario, aged 17+ who identify as part of the broader 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Friends & Family Support Group

This group is facilitated by Anchor Psychological Services and will provide family, friends and caregivers with essential tools and skills to support your loved one through recovery. This is also an opportunity for participants to receive support and connect with others who are going through something similar. Groups like this typically cost over $450, however, this will be available for only $50 for all 8 weeks!

Peer Support Groups

Art & Movement Programs

Yoga for Eating Disorder Recovery

Hopewell’s yoga group is led by trauma-informed yoga instructors with experience in eating disorders. This is a great opportunity to connect with and honour your body through gentle and mindful movements. It can help you develop self-compassion, acceptance, and a feeling of empowerment. Classes explore a variety of themes, encouraging students to move with curiosity and awareness, and helping them employ their physical practice as a tool to find ease on and off the mat. Cameras are turned off for the movement part of each session

Art Therapy for Eating Disorder Recovery

This group is offered in collaboration with Ottawa Art Therapy. Art therapy aims to facilitate a safe and creative space for self-expression, problem-solving and healing. How? By developing emotional wellness through a creative and collaborative means of engagement and self-expression.

The art therapist will present themes and directives to guide the group out of personal isolation and into collaborative development. Participants will then engage in self-discovery through art-making; working towards increasing creative and emotional tolerance, and beginning to shift perspective and encourage true expression and processing. Supplies are provided and arrangements will be made for participants to collect their supplies at our office prior to the first session

“Everyone needs a support system, be it family, friends, coworkers, therapists, or religious leaders. We cannot do life alone and expect to keep mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. Everyone needs some sort of support system on which to rely.”