How I Help
The approaches below are evidence-based therapies used in the treatment of eating disorders.
Treatment For Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious, potentially deadly illnesses that often occur during adolescence and early adulthood. These are important transitional periods in a young person’s life, and eating disorders can place significant emotional strain on individuals, families, and friends.
Treatment is collaborative. Together with a team of professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, school counsellors, and teachers, we work toward goals that support recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Family Based Treatment for Adolescents
Family Based Treatment, often referred to as the Maudsley Approach, is considered the leading evidence-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders. This approach recognizes that parents and caregivers play a central role in supporting recovery and places families at the heart of the treatment process.
The focus of Family Based Treatment is to restore nutrition, interrupt eating disorder behaviours, and gradually support the young person in returning to normal development. Caregivers are provided with guidance and practical support so they can feel more confident helping their loved one through what can be a very challenging time.
Treatment unfolds in three phases beginning with refeeding. Parents or caregivers are empowered to support their loved one through meal support and the interruption of eating disorder symptoms. As progress is made, responsibility for eating is gradually returned to the adolescent. The final phase focuses on supporting a return to age-appropriate independence and addressing developmental milestones that may have been interrupted by the illness.
Family Based Treatment for Transitional Age Youth
FBT-TAY is an adapted model designed for young adults who are still living at home or who are willing to move back home. It is premised on the belief that parents and families play a critical role in supporting their loved one through the renourishment process, including weight restoration when needed, and in successfully launching from adolescence to adulthood.
FBT-TAY aims to empower both parents and the young person to work collaboratively toward this goal.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) is an individualized, evidence-based treatment often used with older teens and adults. This therapy focuses on understanding the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that may be maintaining the eating disorder and explores practical ways to support change.
Together we look at patterns that may be contributing to distress and develop strategies to support healthier coping, improved relationships with food, and greater self-understanding.
Emotion Focused Family Therapy
Emotion Focused Family Therapy supports parents and caregivers in learning how to respond to their loved one’s emotional needs in ways that strengthen connection and reduce distress. Families often feel unsure of how to respond to difficult emotions, and this approach helps build confidence and clarity.
Caregivers learn emotion coaching skills and strategies to support emotional regulation while also receiving support in managing their own emotional responses.
how i help
What To Expect
Getting Started
Beginning counselling can feel like a big step, especially when there are many unknowns.
The process usually begins with a discovery call, which is a brief phone conversation where we talk about your concerns, answer initial questions, and explore whether this approach feels like a good fit.
It’s also a chance to learn a little more about the therapy process and discuss possible next steps before scheduling an assessment.
Assessment and Care Planning
The next step is a comprehensive eating disorder assessment where we gather information about the development of the eating disorder, previous treatment, eating patterns, exercise behaviours, and current concerns. This session often includes parents or caregivers, siblings and extended family (where appropriate) and helps guide treatment planning.
Following the assessment, we establish a care plan and determine the most appropriate treatment approach. Medical clearance from your physician is required to ensure treatment can begin safely, and ongoing medical support is an important part of the recovery process.
Ongoing Therapy
Therapy is tailored to the needs of the individual and family and may include family sessions, individual counselling, or a combination of approaches depending on what is most supportive.
Sessions focus on building practical skills, strengthening support systems, and addressing challenges related to eating patterns and behaviours. As goals are met and recovery progresses, therapy gradually moves toward closure with a focus on reinforcing skills and supporting confidence moving forward.