Trust and a sense of safety in the group: The benefits of professionally-led support groups in eating disorders

Abstract

Professionally-led support groups are becoming a valuable component of health care. Professionally-led support groups are led by a professional or agency-based facilitator. The purpose of this paper is to consolidate the knowledge and the evidence for the effectiveness of professionally-led eating disorder support groups. The overall findings of the review suggest that professionally-led support groups increased social networks, learning coping strategies, reduction in psychological symptoms, and increased perceptions of the well-being of people living with eating disorders. Moreover, the professional-facilitator role in promoting trust and a sense of safety in the group and providing information support was also vital in supporting the participants. Future research ideas are presented.