Eating Disorders therapists in St. Thomas, Ontario ON, Canada CA
Eating Disorders
Kathy Roberts, London, Ontario
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Anorexia nervosa. Binge eating. Bulimia. ARFID. Pica. Orthorexia. These aren't just diets or lifestyle choices; they are complex mental health conditions characterized by dysfunctional eating behaviors and thoughts about food and weight. They can be dangerous to our mental and physical health. They are notoriously difficult to treat, and the road to recovery can be long. The earlier an eating disorder is detected and treated, the greater the chance of recovery.
To treat an eating disorder, it is best to have a team that includes the person with the the eating disorder (and their parents and/or partner), a doctor (who may prescribe medicine), a dietician with expertise in eating disorders, and of course, a therapist. Usually, the immediate priority is behavioural change (e.g. eating less restrictively, reducing the frequency of purging or binging). During this stage, the role of the therapist is to support the journey toward tangible change, to help you manage your mental health and validate your feelings.
As behaviours improve, a therapist can help you understand the contributing factors that led to the eating issues and body image problems; examine the thoughts, feelings and actions that maintain negative behaviour cycles; identify and gain insight into your triggers and how to manage them; improve your eating habits, self image, confidence, and resilience; and develop personalized coping strategies to replace negative behaviours like bingeing, vomiting, use of laxatives and diet pills, and over-exercise.
The therapy part is what I do. I'm a compassionate, experienced and highly qualified counsellor. And eating disorder therapy is not just a sideline for me. For 9 years, my private practice has significantly focused on helping teens and young adults who are struggling with body image or eating challenges. I'm also connected; I know London's eating disorder resources, including local dieticians who specialize in eating disorders. If you or someone you love is struggling with these challenges, I can definitely help!
My website [ krcounselling.ca/eating-disorders ] has lots of great information about the types of eating disorders, possible signs, common food rituals, and how eating disorders are treated. It also explains the role of talk therapy when dealing with an eating disorder ... and what to look for in an ED therapist.
36 Years Experience
Eating Disorders
Centre for Psychology and Emotional Health
Psychologist
We work with clients to resolve issues relating to relationship distress, self-criticism, perfectionism, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, trauma, emotional regulation difficulties, psychosis, autism, addictions, disordered eating, and body image concerns.
21 Years Experience
Eating Disorders
Laird Counselling Services
Registered Psychotherapist, BA, MACP, RP
When you feel like you need to control what you eat and feel guilty if you don't follow certain rules about food, you might be getting caught in the vicious cycle of an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a complex relationship with food that affects people of all ages and genders. There are different types of eating disorders but symptoms typically range from a mild preoccupation with food and body image to a deep fear of gaining weight, body dysmorphia, excessive exercising, purging, and binging.
Eating disorders are insidious conditions that creep up over time. Often it starts as a desire to lose a few pounds, tone up, and be healthier. However, it can take over your whole life and make you feel helpless and trapped in an endless cycle of preoccupation about what you eat and how you look.
Additionally, negative body image has been shown to be linked to dieting and eating disorders. Over time, your body image concerns can lead to attempts to control how you look. You might be trying different diets, exercising more, or trying to eat healthier. This could mean cutting out food groups, fasting, and/or excessive exercising to control your shape and weight. These are painful cycles that can leave your feeling frustrated with yourself and at a loss as to how to break free from the endless preoccupation of food and weight.
If you are wondering if you have an eating disorder or have a loved one who is struggling, do not hesitate to reach out. I have helped many people restore their relationship with food and live a more balanced life. Please contact me if you would like to learn more.
6 Years Experience
Eating Disorders
Alicia Panchal
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
I have worked in eating disorders for over 5 years, with experience working specifically in an eating disorders program, supporting children, adolescents, and adults who have been affected by disordered eating.
Your eating disorder is here for a reason. It's up to us to figure out what that is, and how to meet your needs in a way that allows you to nourish your body, and cope with emotions and stressors that have been too difficult to manage.
Having an eating disorder can be such an isolating and exhausting thing to experience. That voice inside your head that's trying to control your relationship with food, movement, and your body gets louder and louder each day, and the emotional distress is just so strong. My work in supporting those with eating disorders focuses first and foremost, on normalizing your relationship with food, and eliminating any associated behaviours (purging, over exercising, weighing, bingeing, etc). My goal is ensuring that your body gets the nourishment it needs, so that we can do the work of talking back to that eating disorder voice, get you to a place where you can have foods you enjoy free of anxiety and guilt, and create a safe and accepting relationship with your body.
Contact me for a discovery call! https://youfirst.janeapp.com/
6 Years Experience
Eating Disorders
Therapedia Centre
Registered Psychotherapist, Registered Psychotherapist
We help our clients find a healthy relationship with their body while strengthening their mind. Art therapy and CBT techniques are combined to help clients understand their self-image issues, establish a more positive relationship with food, improve emotional regulation skills, and learn how to challenge negative thought patterns.
14 Years Experience