ED Recovery: Nutrition Group & Meal Support
An in-person, combination nutrition + meal support group.
- Are you looking for more support in outpatient and looking for a group to add to your treatment?
- Are you looking to bridge the gap in your eating disorder treatment from a higher level of care to outpatient?
- Do you enjoy the discussion, learning and support that occurs in the group setting?
- Could you benefit from meal support in a group setting?
This twice weekly, 90 minute group will be led by two of our dietitians, Hannah Waspi and Annie Penrose. The purpose of the group is to provide a bridge between an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)* and an outpatient level of care. Each meeting will have two parts: meal support + nutrition group. The combination nutrition group and meal support setting is targeted for those who may need more support than outpatient level of care, but are not in need of IOP. This group is appropriate for those with newly diagnosed eating disorders or those who have been working on their recovery.
The group will run 2x per week for 6 weeks. Participants will choose if they wish to participate twice per week (commit to 12 groups total) or once per week (commit to 6 groups total).
Are you looking for a virtual nutrition group? Check out our Virtual Option here.
*Please note that this group is not intended as a replacement for or equivalent to a higher level of care. Follow the recommendations of your treatment team.
Group Leaders:
Annie Penrose, M.Ed., RD, LDN & Hannah Waspi, MS, RD, LDN
When:
- Mondays: 12:30 – 2:00pm
- Thursdays: 9:00 – 10:30am
*participants can sign up for the 2x/week track or 1x per week track
Email hannah@lutzandalexander.com or annie@lutzandalexander.com or call 919-781-4500 to learn more and to be placed on the waitlist for the next group.
Where:
Fees:
- BCBS and Aetna Insurance Members: Our practice is in-network with BCBS and Aetna and we can file for you if you have BCBS or Aetna insurance. We encourage you to call the Customer Service number on your card to inquire about your coverage for CPT code 97804 (Medical Nutrition Therapy Group). Click here for more insurance details.
- If you have a policy that has a limited number of nutrition visits per benefit year, please note that group sessions typically count towards that limit.
- Out of Network Insurance Members (not BCBS or Aetna):
- In Person: $800 for the 2x/week track (12 sessions total), $400 for the 1x/week tract (6 sessions total)
- Signing up for the group reflects a commitment for the 6 or 12 session group. No refunds will be provided and there will be a charge for missed group sessions.
Eligibility:
- Open to people anywhere in North Carolina, as well as some other states – Ask us about your state!
- Open to adults (18+) with an eating disorder or disordered eating with an outpatient treatment team.
- This will be a closed group, with participation capped at 10 participants.
- Email hannah@lutzandalexander.com or annie@lutzandalexander.com or call 919-781-4500 to learn more and to register.
Group Format:
Part 1: Meal Support (45 minutes)
Monday group: (12:30-1:15 pm), Thursday group: (9-9:45 am)
This portion of the group will strive to provide a safe and supportive space to share a meal. This is intended to provide accountability and gentle encouragement for a meal (lunch on Mondays and breakfast on Thursdays). There will be general guidelines for what to bring to each group, for example RDs may propose a “sandwich” or “bagel” theme for a given day.
There will be loose guidelines for adequacy to ensure everyone has an appropriate amount for the meal. RD’s will not be providing direct skills coaching or checking individual meal plans, but will instead offer gentle encouragement to complete a normative amount.
Part 2: Nutrition Group (45 minutes)
Monday group: (1:15-2:30 pm), Thursday group (9:45 -10:30 am)
This portion of the group will cover nutrition topics geared towards those in eating disorder recovery. Topics will focus on nutrition education, intuitive eating, food and exercise relationship, meal planning, and diet culture all within the context of eating disorder recovery.
What To Expect:
This in person group will be split into two 45 minute parts. It will begin with 45 minutes of meal support, with 30 minutes designated for eating and 10-15 minutes for transitioning to the group support component. The remaining 45 minutes will consist of a didactic group with specific topics and discussion.
Email hannah@lutzandalexander.com or annie@lutzandalexander.com or call 919-781-4500 to learn more and to be placed on the waitlist for the next group.