Our free, regularly scheduled, real-time Online Peer Support (OPS) chats provide an accessible way for eating disorder sufferers to connect to a recovery community at their own pace and comfort level. These anonymous group support chats are available to people of ages 14 and up, anywhere in Canada, who are experiencing disordered eating, weight, or body image issues.
Overseen by trained Looking Glass Moderators, each chat session offers a safe, virtual, and confidential space for people to talk about what is going on for them, to share experiences, and to benefit from the empathy and understanding of others who get what it can be like to struggle with this disease.
Online Peer Support is intended to provide support, rather than therapy. Recovery-focused online conversations are non-judgmental and avoid sensitive subjects such as weight, diet, and specific eating disorder behaviours. Participants are welcome to chat or simply observe the flow of dialogue -- whatever feels right for them.
There are 10 live chats per week and participants are welcome to join as many as they like. Some chats will be busier than others and participants may drop in and out during the 1.5 hour sessions. The OPS chats are hosted on our Program Hub and you can watch this short video which provides an overview of what you can expect from this chat service.
Binge Eating OPS Chats
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, we offer an OPS chat that is specifically geared towards supporting individuals who struggle with any kind of binge eating. The aim of this chat is to provide an additional space for people to connect with a community and receive empathetic support and listening when it comes to bingeing behaviours, and the thoughts and feelings that accompany them.
How to Sign Up
Please note: Online Peer Support has now moved onto our new digital platform, please find instructions below on how to sign up and join the chats.
To register for an Online Peer Support session, please sign up here. You will be redirected to our Program Hub and invited to create a profile (fields with * are required and you must choose a Display Name as this is what you'll be visible as in the chats). We've created the following how-to guides to support you in signing up and accessing OPS chats:
- Welcome to the Program Hub: video guide OR pdf guide
- Introduction to Online Peer Support on the Program Hub: video guide OR pdf guide
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email programs@lookingglassbc.com. Scroll down for OPS Chat session times.
Chat Session Times
All times are in Pacific Time (Vancouver, BC)
Monday: 7:30-9:00 PM
Tuesday: 12-1:30 PM and 4:30-6:00 PM and 7:30-9:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:30-8:00 PM* and 8:30-10:00 PM
Thursday: 12-1:30 PM and 4:30-6:00 PM and 7:30-9:00 PM
Friday: 7:30-9:00 PM
Sunday: 7:30-9:00 PM
*Binge Eating OPS Chat: takes place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
