Whether you’re personally struggling with an eating disorder or are taking care of someone who is, there are many great online eating disorder support groups to help. Center for Discovery, HealthfulChat, Eating Recovery Center, and five others made our list as the best options.
- Best overall: Center for Discovery
- Best anonymous option: HealthfulChat
- Best variety of groups option: Eating Recovery Center
- Best for teens: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
- Best clinician-led group: National Alliance for Eating Disorders
- Best for moms: Mom2Mom
- Best for parents and caregivers: F.E.A.S.T. Around the Dinner Table Forum
- Best for continued learning and support: Morningside Chats in the Living Room
Because so much in daily life can be triggering for survivors of eating disorders, online support groups can help those in recovery cope and find community as they heal.
Additionally, anyone can join these support groups — you don’t have to have a formal diagnosis or be in treatment, and some are even open to loved ones of people with eating disorders.
Below, we outline eight of the best online eating disorder support groups and why each one may be beneficial.
To select the best online eating disorder support groups, we evaluated various platforms based on:
- Ease of use: We considered the guidelines for registering and participating in each group. We also considered whether their websites are intuitive to navigate.
- Cost: All of the support groups on our list are free to join.
- Privacy: We considered how support groups protect participant privacy, whether you can participate anonymously, and how the groups are moderated.
- How they serve different communities and conditions: We included support groups to meet the needs of a wide range of communities and types of eating disorder conditions.
- Vetting: The support groups on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
Best overall
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, orthorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED)
- Meeting types: online, via secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom video conference platform (can attend anonymously)
With over 20 years of experience and various centers in 13 states across the U.S., Center for Discovery is an established leader in the eating disorder treatment field.
The organization provides weekly and bi-weekly general online support group meetings and more specific meetings for adolescents, BIPoC, caregivers, and more.
Some groups are led by a clinician, while others are peer-to-peer support-based. All the meetings are held via Zoom, which is HIPAA compliant (meaning it’s private and secure).
Pros
- established therapy and treatment center
- can attend anonymously
- no RSVP required
- professionals present
Cons
- some groups only open to alumni of the center
- no weekend meetings
- not all groups meet weekly
Best anonymous option
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: various eating disorders
- Meeting types: virtual/online (chat room)
When it comes to healing from an eating disorder of any type, HealthfulChat says they believe that strong peer support is key to getting on the right track.
Their philosophy is that there’s power in numbers, and the organization says they strive to empower people with support and confidence.
The group’s chat room, forums, and social network offer space to connect with others around the world who are going through similar experiences and may have a better understanding of what you’re dealing with. These spaces also allow users to be anonymous.
Pros
- can use anonymously
- quick registration
- lots of people to connect with
Cons
- must be over 16 years old to join
- moderation and rules might not be strictly enforced
- not led by a clinician or trained moderator
- may feel too impersonal
Best variety of groups option
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other disordered eating issues
- Meeting types: virtual/online
The Eating Recovery Center has 35 facilities across the country dedicated to treating a variety of eating disorders in both adults and teens. The online support groups are broken down into specific disorders and groups, allowing people to find the best fit for them.
The center offers virtual groups for various communities, like LGBTQIA+, BIPoC, college students, and caregivers, and specialties like bulimia and overeating. There are also groups for clinicians who want to connect regarding their patients.
Attendance for each group is capped at 15 participants, so everyone should get a chance to be heard.
Pros
- small groups
- different groups to choose from
- peer-led with a trained clinician facilitator
- groups for those in recovery and their supporters
Cons
- can only attend one group per week
- camera must be on during group
- no groups for those under 18 years of age
Best for teens
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: various eating disorders
- Meeting types: virtual (via Zoom)
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) is the oldest nonprofit organization geared toward eating disorder recovery in the U.S.
In addition to its daily helpline and email, ANAD provides school guidelines to help educators teach students about eating disorders and start a necessary conversation about body image. They also offer a support group for siblings (at least 15 years old) of those in eating disorder recovery.
This dedication to educating young people is part of what makes it our pick for the best platform for adolescents and teens. ANAD’s weekly adolescent and teen support group gives young people the opportunity to get free peer-to-peer support. Young recommends this support group to her younger clients who need extra accountability in recovery.
The organization also provides additional resources for teens and adolescents with a professional directory, which can connect young people with a therapist in their area.
Pros
- capped at 20 attendees
- led by trained volunteers with lived recovery experience
- 75-minute sessions
- well-established organization
- several sessions available at different times, 4 days a week
Cons
- need to pre-register
- only one meeting per week
- no Friday or weekend groups
Best clinician-led group
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, OSFED
- Meeting types: virtual, in-person (select locations)
Founded in 2000 by eating disorder survivor Johanna Kandel, the Alliance for Eating Disorders provides inpatient, outpatient, and critical care at its Florida headquarters, as well as virtual and in-person support groups.
It’s the only national organization to offer free clinician-led in-person and virtual support groups each week. There are two groups: one for those in recovery and one for caregivers of those in recovery. In-person groups are held at select locations in Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania.
People interested in the virtual recovery group can choose between three Zoom sessions each week: two during the week and one on weekends. The caregivers’ group meets once per week.
Pros
- professionally moderated
- weekly meetings
- can attend more than one meeting each week
- no cost
- in-person options in select states
Cons
- only for ages 18 and up
- general groups only (except one for LGBTQIA+)
- must register for virtual in advance (no registration for in-person)
- in-person meetings only available in five states
Best for moms
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: various eating disorders
- Meeting types: online (Facebook group), and virtual events
Mom2Mom is hosted by the Eating Disorder Family Support Network and has been available for moms of those with an eating disorder since 2018.
While the organization has an official website, the support group is hosted on Facebook. The group is fully private and requires an extensive questionnaire process to gain entry.
The Mom2Mom Facebook group features 8 moderators, over 5,000 members, and an active community with over 600 posts per month. The group’s goal is to be a supportive and encouraging sanctuary for moms supporting their children (regardless of age) through eating disorder recovery.
In addition to the Facebook group, Mom2Mom offers a clinician-led virtual support group for members each Tuesday that’s sponsored by The National Alliance for Eating Disorders.
Pros
- an active membership
- chat-based for support at any time of day from peers
- weekly clinician-led virtual support group
- global community of moms
Cons
- requires Facebook account
- only available for moms
- not anonymous
- no small group or chat options aside from comments
- support group option only available one time each week
Best for parents and caregivers
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: anorexia nervosa, ARFID, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, OSFED
- Meeting types: online (forum format)
This online support group forum began in 2004 as a way for caregivers and parents of children with eating disorders to connect. It remains the only global community for caregivers of children with eating disorders.
“My younger clients’ parents have participated in F.E.A.S.T and found it illuminating, educational, and helpful as they learned how to navigate their loved ones’ eating disorder recovery,” says Young.
In 2007, the online community became the nonprofit F.E.A.S.T., or Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders.
Once registered in the forum, caregivers and parents can respond to existing posts and create new posts, all of which are moderated 24/7.
F.E.A.S.T. also offers webinars for caregivers (and recordings that can be watched at any time) and an online support group specifically for fathers and male partners.
Pros
- can be anonymous
- create your own topics
- global network of people
- for all parents and caregivers
Cons
- for parents and adults only
- not moderated by clinicians
- doesn’t provide structured group meetings
Best for continued learning and support
- Price: free
- Types of disorders supported: various eating disorders
- Meeting types: virtual (via Zoom)
For those seeking continued support and education in recovery, this weekly Zoom group offers a safe space to engage with experts in eating disorders.
Each week, a new guest will share their perspective and knowledge, allowing participants to take part in a casual dialogue. The sessions are hosted by Sondra Kronberg, the founder and executive director of the Eating Disorder Treatment Collaborative.
Morningside Chats is ideal for people seeking an informal way to get continued support without engaging in a more moderated group setting. Participants can be completely anonymous, as only the host and expert guest are shown via video during each session.
Pros
- meetings are on Saturday mornings
- can watch recorded previous meetings
- education from experts in the field
Cons
- more educational than therapeutic
- only hosts shown on video, which may make the meeting feel disconnected if you prefer seeing people’s faces
- informal format, which some may dislike
Eating disorder support groups provide a safe community for people in recovery from an eating disorder. Sometimes, these groups are led by a clinician or a moderator, but they’re not meant to replicate or replace therapy or medical care.
Support groups specialize in offering peer-to-peer guidance, empathy, and emotional support.
While in-person support groups are an option, many have also begun to add virtual support with online groups for eating disorder recovery, which increases the accessibility of these programs.
Online eating disorder support groups can help those in recovery feel less alone.
“It’s incredibly powerful for individuals who are living with any form of mental health diagnosis to hear the words, ‘me too,’ from someone else,” says Dr. Caroline Fenkel, the co-founder of virtual mental health clinic Charlie Health. “In that way, support groups for those who are in recovery from eating disorders can be helpful.”
By allowing people to connect with each other from their homes, and anonymously if needed, these online groups provide a necessary platform for community and healing.
“Many of my clients often forget that other people are struggling with the same thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and that they are not alone,” says Caroline Young, MS, RD, LD, RYT, owner of Whole Self Nutrition. “Connecting with others who “get it” can help eating disorder sufferers feel less isolated and like they are part of an accepting community.”
When looking around for the best eating disorder support group, you should consider the specific traits of a group along with your needs, goals, and how important each of those traits is to you.
Some factors you may want to consider include:
- types of communities (i.e., parents/caregivers, college students, members of the LGBTQIA+ community)
- conditions that are targeted
- how well your privacy is protected (and whether or not you want to participate anonymously)
- how easy the platform is to use
- guidelines for joining
- whether or not the group is moderated
All of the eating disorder support groups on our list are free for users to join and engage in. While some other support groups that didn’t make the list may have a small fee associated, most are free to participate in.
Group therapy sessions, on the other hand, are more individualized, personal, and always led by a licensed clinician. Group therapy may or may not be covered by insurance, and the fee is typically $50 to $100 per session or more.
If you notice your eating patterns impact your day-to-day life, mood, happiness, or concentration over a long period of time, it may be time to seek professional help.
If you’re scared to gain weight or fear that you’re not eating or exercising enough, you may also want to consider talking with a mental health professional.
“Every single person who has an eating disorder should be under the medical supervision of a doctor who is trained in how to treat eating disorders, at every stage of the eating disorder,” urges Young.
It’s especially important to see a doctor if you notice physical symptoms or engage in certain behaviors like:
- rapid weight loss
- inability to pee
- bingeing, vomiting, or purging
- severe pain, including in the belly
- irregular heartbeat
- fainting
- protruding ribs or bones
- missed periods for uterus-owners
Get help today
Whether you’re looking for help today or are unsure of where to start, the National Eating Disorders Association offers resources, many of which are free, to help guide you on your journey toward a better relationship with food and body image.
What causes eating disorders?
Eating disorders are complex and multilayered. Because of this, eating disorder causes vary from person to person and can be influenced by multiple biological, social, and environmental factors.
Some common causes can include:
- genetics
- learned behaviors from family members or close friends
- certain personality traits, like perfectionism
- social pressures for the body to look a certain way
Are eating disorder support groups effective?
According to Fenkel, anyone experiencing an acute mental health crisis — which can sometimes present alongside eating disorders or in recovery from them — can benefit from a support group.
“Having shared experiences helps people feel less alone, like they’re part of a nonjudgmental community that can empathize with their journey,” she says.
Is an eating disorder support group right for you?
If you’re in recovery, an eating disorder support group can be a way to connect with others who are also healing.
But for those with active eating disorders, Fenkel says that the style and level of care needed for treatment cannot be accomplished in a group setting.
“It’s important to meet with a licensed professional in order to know which issue needs to be treated first and how it should be treated,” she explains. “If an eating disorder isn’t properly treated, it can cause severe, potentially fatal side effects and long-term health consequences.”
What is the difference between disordered eating and an eating disorder?
Disordered eating and an eating disorder may seem similar, but they have some very drastic differences.
“People who struggle with disordered eating engage in unhealthy practices, like calorie-counting, banning desserts, mindless emotional eating or erratic eating, yet their lives are not entirely consumed by the food-related behaviors and thoughts,” says Young. Their patterns may fluctuate, and the behaviors don’t result in medical complications.
An eating disorder is all-consuming, leading to isolation, an obsession with food and body image, and dangerous chronic behaviors like food restriction, bingeing and/or purging, and compulsive and excessive exercise.
“Someone with an untreated or newly diagnosed eating disorder is usually medically unstable, with an orthostatic (large differences from lying to sitting to standing) heart rate and blood pressure, and sometimes a significant drop in weight in a relatively short period of time and poor lab values that can indicate an immediate, life-threatening situation,” says Young.
Online eating disorder support groups can provide a safe space for those in recovery to share their feelings and everyday hardships. While these groups shouldn’t replace therapy or treatment, they can be a positive part of the recovery journey.
If you think you or someone you care about might have an eating disorder, the National Eating Disorder Association is a great resource for identifying the next best step towards recovery.