Group Therapy Observation- Eating Disorders

Self Help Observation PaperThe first group I attended was an eating disorder support group that took place at an actual residential facility for the patients. It was an open meeting for the patients as well as family and friends of someone suffering from this disorder. Therefore, it was a combination of the two populations which made the experience more interesting as I was able to listen to both perspectives and get a more comprehensive view on this population and the surrounding people affected. Unfortunately, this was a small turnout with one leader, one patient, and 3 observers including me. The leader was also a patient at the facility which offered an interesting viewpoint as she facilitated the group and also included her input to the topics discussed. The other group I attended was an Al-Anon meeting that took place through a church, for friends or family members of someone that has been affected by alcohol addiction. There were many attendees, about 25 people consisting of only 2 men and the rest women. The similarities of the two groups were that they were both focused on the structure of the twelve steps including the Serenity prayer,