Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Orleans, ON.

In a supportive and empathic environment I help people who are suffering from an eating disorder to develop trust, build motivation for change, implement and maintain strategies to change as well as monitor their recovery process and journey of self-discovery. I work with both cognitive and behavioral strategies as well as an insight-oriented focus on the client's awareness of self and body. My work with an eating disorder often includes family of origin issues.

Eating disorders are often symptoms of a bigger issue and the by helping you find the cause of your struggles, I can help you cope with those issues, learn healthy coping skills and provide you with effective, sustainable solution-focused strategies that provide you with tools that tackle issues that caused these issues in the first place. Your eating disorders do not have to be you, we can work together to overcome them.

I work with your negative body image, from the inside out. "The negative image is understood as a dissociated and shame-based “part” of the personality in need of understanding and compassion, achieved via mindful awareness, “parts” dialogue and trauma processing. Our first step will be to create a healthy separation between the "observing" or aware Self and the part(s) absorbed in the eating disorder via mindful awareness. Once this separation between the "whole" self and part of self is established, the Gestalt polarity tradition (empty chairs) is utilized to develop understanding of the shame-based part. This leads to developing more love and compassion for yourself. You are enough!

We do not deal with formal diagnoses of eating disorders, but we do support those with disordered eating. Eating issues often occur alongside depression and anxiety, and we view them as a symptom of deep and painful emotions frequently linked to trauma, stress, or grief/loss. In our work together, we can address how you use food as a coping mechanism when you are stressed or when your relationships are strained. The goal is to understand better the role food plays in helping you cope with painful emotions.

I can support you when dealing with emotional and disordered eating and help you with behavioural changes towards healthy eating patterns, including shifting from shame to empowerment, calming the nervous system, regulating emotions without turning to food, and assisting you in reestablishing physical cues for fullness and hunger and replacing the inner critic with self-compassion. Trauma-informed clinical tools will help you improve your relationship with food and your body.

When I see a client with an eating disorder, I do not focus on the disordered behaviour as such. Rather, together we explore the client's family or origin and attachment history--from which our belief system about ourselves and the world are derived. I see this disordered behaviour as most often the result of the debilitating effect of an attachment wound.

Eating disorders benefit from the same or similar approach used for all addictive behaviours. One of the main therapeutic approaches I use is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. The relationship to food can be quite complex involving societal or cultural pressures, self-image, past traumas, addictive non-nutritious junk food, media images, social media pressures, bullying. Shame and guilt need to be addressed along with peer pressures. The most common eating disorders are: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Pica, Rumination Disorder, Avoidance/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Orthorexia, Purging Disorder etc. The benefits of therapy are enhanced self-image, health and well-being.

The drive for thinness is real. It is important socially and often for careers. But eating disorders be it anorexia or bulimia come at a cost thato is too high and to some leads to paying the ultimate price. It is not just physical health that deteriorates but psychological and relational health too. Let's use evidence-based techniques to help steer you towards a balanced life that is in line with your values, passion, and purpose.

Dealing with an eating disorder is difficult, made all the more difficult if the people you love do not know how to support you through this time. Working with someone trained in treating eating disorders, you will feel understood in a way that you might not have thought possible. There is no reason why you should be going through this alone. Reach out to get the support that you need.

Eating disorder can overshadow your life, stealing the joy and self-respect. I have worked with many who struggled with eating disorders and disordered eating and yes, it is possible to fight it and move beyond it. In the therapy with me you become aware of your strengths, your limitations and areas that need strengthening. You discover you are not alone and let the guilt and shame sweep away and become stronger. You learn how to create healthier boundaries, recognize triggers and become emotionally and mentally stronger.

Eating disorder recovery is a transformative journey towards a healthier relationship with food and yourself. Through a supportive and non-judgmental therapeutic process, we will work together to develop healthier habits, improve body image, explore emotional triggers, and restore your overall well-being. If you are on the path to eating disorders recovery, reach out today for a free consultation.