Open-MindED
Eating Disorder Recovery Group
A free in-person peer group offering support for individuals affected
directly or indirectly by an eating disorder or disordered eating.
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For many individuals, the journey towards recovery can be long and difficult, and limited resources can make it challenging to access support, particularly for people who do not align with stereotypical ideas of what someone with an eating disorder ‘looks like’.
But eating disorders do not discriminate and can occur in people of any age, weight, size, shape, gender identity, sexuality, cultural background, or socioeconomic group. Over 1.1 million Australians (4.45% of the population) over the age of five are living with some of form disordered eating, and the impact of these illnesses is often significant, not just for the person experiencing the disorder, but also for their families and loved ones.
Group details
When: | Every Thursday 11:00am - 12:00pm (1hr) |
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Start date: | 27th February 2025 |
Location: | Brain & Mind Hub Sunshine Coast Lvl 2, 60-62 Dalton Drive, Maroochydore |
Cost: | This group is offered as a complimentary service. There is no cost to attend. |
Open-MindED is the only group of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, offering individuals affected by eating disorders or disordered eating,
as well as their loved ones, access to support in a non-clinical, peer-led setting, completely free of charge.
What happens at Open-MindED Eating Disorder Recovery and Support Group?
At Open-MindED, we will discuss the successes and challenges each group member has faced over the previous week, allowing us to celebrate and support each other along our individual recovery journeys.
There will also be a facilitated discussion based on common themes among the group, or a particular topic of interest proposed by group members. As a peer-led group, we encourage participants to be active in exploring what will prove useful.
The group is facilitated by Temily Lithgow, a highly qualified Lived Experience Peer Worker and Eating Disorder Recovery Specialist. At each group, we will also be able to provide information about other support services and helplines that are available, or recommend clinical support as appropriate.
Open-MindED Group Facilitator:
Temily Lithgow
BPsych, Bed(Sec), BA.
Lived Experience Peer Worker
Eating Disorder Recovery Specialist
Temily is a dedicated Lived Experience Peer Worker with extensive experience navigating a range of mental health challenges, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD, self-harm, neurodivergence, and substance misuse.
Specialising in eating disorder recovery, she is passionate about helping others achieve full recovery through her unique blend of empathy, clinical insight, and lived experience.
Temily is currently offering free one-on-one Peer Work sessions for any person seeking support (not just those struggling with eating disorders or disordered eating). There are no age limitations for one-on-one sessions with Temily.
Who can attend Open-MindED Eating Disorder Recovery and Support Group?
You are not required to be a current client of Brain & Mind Hub to attend, or to have received an ‘official’ diagnosis of an eating disorder or disordered eating to attend Open-MindED.
At Open-MindED, we recognise the spectrum of eating disorders and disordered eating. We choose to focus on our shared experiences as people who need support, working against any stigmas associated with atypical presentations or any notion of being 'sick enough' to need support.
The group provides a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for participants to share their collective experiences. Whether you’re seeking understanding, encouragement, or guidance on your recovery journey, the group is here to hold the hope for you. Full recovery from an eating disorder is always possible.
Open-MindED is open to individuals 18 years or older, who are affected directly or indirectly (e.g. parents, carers, siblings, friends, extended family members) by an eating disorder or disordered eating. Those under the age of 18 are able to engage directly with our Lived Experience Peer Work team on a one-on-one basis. Group facillitator Temily Lithgow is currently offering free one-on-on Peer Work sessions for any person seeking support.
BaMH group programs are grounded in Peer Support Values
At Brain & Mind Hub,
we value the role of lived
experience in promoting
authentic connection,
hope and recovery.
That's why most of our group programs are facilitated by members of our Lived Experience Peer Work team, so you can feel confident that our groups are developed and operated with Peer Work values at their core.
How to register to attend Open-MindED Eating Disorder Recovery and Support Group
Even though Open-Minded is a drop-in group (meaning you can join us when it suits you and we don't ask you to attend a certain number of group dates), we do ask that you register your intention to join the group and confirm your attendance weekly.
Spaces are limited, so this helps ensure we can provide support to as many people as possible and helps us understand whether we need to make the group more widely available.
Here are some tips to make registering through our online portal quick and easy:
- Click the button below when you are ready to sign up. You will be redirected to our online booking portal (Zander).
- Select the option to "BOOK CLASS". If you are not a current client, you will be prompted to create a user profile.
- You'll be sent a verification code that allows you to finish setting up your profile. It may arrive in your spam folder.
- Once your profile is ready to go, you will again have the option to select "BOOK CLASS" from the main menu.
- Select "See availability for all Providers"
- Select your chosen date to see available Group(s)
- Click your chosen Group, then Click "Book Now"