Eating disorders can raise many questions for individuals and families seeking support. The answers below address some of the most common concerns about eating disorders, treatment, and what to expect when beginning counselling. If you have questions that are not addressed here, you are welcome to reach out. A brief discovery call can be a helpful first step in understanding your situation and exploring whether counselling may be the right fit.
What are the signs of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders can present in many different ways, and the signs are not always obvious. Some individuals may show noticeable changes in eating habits, weight, exercise patterns, or mood. Others may become more withdrawn, anxious around food, or secretive about eating.
Parents and caregivers often notice shifts in behaviour before understanding what they mean. If something about your loved one’s relationship with food or body image feels concerning, it can be helpful to seek professional guidance early.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are complex illnesses and are not a choice. They are associated with changes in the neurobiological pathways related to reward and self control.
Research has shown that when an individual with a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder experiences a negative energy balance, such as through inadequate nutrition, this can trigger the illness. Research further shows that individuals with eating disorders may experience mood improvements, such as a sense of calm and reduced anxiety, when in a state of restriction or negative energy balance. Atypical responses to exercise and purging behaviours can also reinforce the illness.
Do eating disorders only affect teenagers?
While eating disorders often begin during adolescence, they can affect people at any stage of life. Adults may also struggle with eating disorders, sometimes for many years before seeking support.
Treatment approaches can vary depending on age and circumstances, which is why an assessment helps determine the most appropriate path forward.
What is family based treatment?
Family Based Treatment, often called the Maudsley Approach, is an evidence-based therapy widely used for adolescents with eating disorders. This approach places parents and caregivers at the centre of the recovery process.
Families are supported in helping their loved one restore nutrition and interrupt eating disorder behaviours at home, while responsibility for eating is gradually returned to the adolescent as recovery progresses.
Can parents really help their child recover?
Yes. Research shows that parents and caregivers can play a powerful role in supporting recovery from an eating disorder.
Many families feel unsure or overwhelmed at first, especially when meals become difficult. Part of the therapeutic process involves helping caregivers feel more confident in supporting their child and providing practical guidance throughout recovery.
What if I’m not sure whether this is an eating disorder?
Many families reach out because they are noticing changes in eating habits, weight, exercise patterns, or mood but are unsure whether those changes indicate an eating disorder. An initial conversation or assessment can help clarify what may be happening and guide the next steps for support.
What is diet culture?
Diet culture is a multi billion dollar industry that profits from making us feel insecure about our bodies by imposing unrealistic beauty standards and selling “fix all cures.” It is a system of beliefs in society that equates a certain body type with goodness and health. Diet culture is a form of oppression as it stigmatizes people who don’t match up with the ‘supposed picture of health.’ It disconnects us from relying on our natural hunger and fullness signals by encouraging the replacement of the internal body signals with external rules. These are often disguised as clean eating, detoxes, cleanses, fad diets, slim teas, weight loss products, guilt free foods, wellness and /or healthy products, as well as before and after pictures of individuals in exercise routines. Social media is filled with body distorted images that are highly edited.
What happens during the discovery call?
The discovery call is a free fifteen-minute phone conversation where you can briefly share what is happening and ask questions about treatment.
This call also allows us to determine whether this approach feels like the right fit and discuss possible next steps.
What happens during the eating disorder assessment?
The assessment is a longer session, typically about seventy-five minutes, where we gather information about the development of the eating disorder, previous treatments, eating patterns, exercise behaviours, and current concerns.
For younger clients, parents or caregivers, siblings and extended family (when appropriate) are often involved. The goal is to better understand the situation and begin developing a treatment plan.
Why is medical support required?
Eating disorders can affect physical health in serious ways, which is why medical oversight is an important part of treatment.
Before beginning counselling, I require confirmation from a physician that the individual is medically stable enough to participate in therapy. Ongoing medical monitoring helps ensure safety during recovery.
How long does treatment usually take?
The length of treatment can vary depending on the individual, the severity of the eating disorder, and the treatment approach being used.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, and progress often takes time. The goal is to support lasting improvement and stability rather than rushing the process.
Do you work with adults as well as adolescents?
Yes. While Family Based Treatment is often used with adolescents, I also work with older teens and adults affected by eating disorders.
Treatment approaches may differ depending on age and circumstances, and therapy is always tailored to the individual.
Will my child have to attend counselling if they don’t want to?
It is common for young people with eating disorders to feel resistant to treatment, particularly in the early stages. Eating disorders can strongly influence thoughts and behaviours around food and control.
Family Based Treatment recognizes this challenge and focuses on supporting caregivers in helping their child restore health, even when motivation for treatment is low.
What are some ways to dismantle diet culture?
- Stop labelling food as good or bad, healthy or unhealthy
- Resist diet talk, call out, challenge or redirect conversations about dieting
- Teach you kids to be critical thinkers (detectives) when on social media.
Training them to question the motive, accuracy and context of content, rather than accepting it at face value - Turn off/ unfollow social media that makes you feel insecure about your body or promotes diet culture
- Practice Body Neutrality (respecting and appreciating your body for what it does rather than what if looks like. My lungs help me breathe, my legs and feet help me to walk, run and jump)
- Use movement for joy rather than trying to change your appearance
- Eat what you want based on internal cues
- Practice self compassion
- Wear clothing that makes you feel good in
- Reject the belief that body size defines self worth