Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Vancouver, BC.

While most eating disorder issues are treated by cognitive behavioral methodologies or specialized outpatient/inpatient programs, Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, PhD provide relief first and foremost for the brain of one suffering from an eating disorder----without giving them medication. We believe that the neural circuitries responsible for the compulsive behaviors with eating are not necessarily only a neurotransmitter issue but of overused neural networks that affect the harmonization, balance, and decisions of the whole brain. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161 to learn more about this safe and effective alternative.

Eating Disorders develop as a way of navigating deep unresolved emotional pain and trauma. All our emotions and trauma are stored in our bodies. Working with eating disorders involves not only navigating the behavioural symptoms of disordered eating but more importantly developing a compassionate relationship to the body by connecting in, to where the emotional pain is stored. Together, with compassion and understanding we work on lifting the shame connected to body image and the external ways that has been created, then facing the deeper internal emotional issues at the root. It is possible to fully heal from disordered eating.

When food, eating, or the way you feel about your body starts taking up too much space in your life, it can be confusing and exhausting. You may find yourself caught in cycles of restriction, overeating, guilt, shame, body checking or constantly thinking about what you should and shouldn't eat. Over time this can effect your confidence, relationships, energy, and ability to simply enjoy life. My approach is compassionate, practical and focused on understanding the person behind the struggle, without judging you or reducing you to a behaviour or compulsion. You deserve a life where your thoughts aren't constantly consumed by food, weight or appearance.

Eating Disorders can impact someone as negatively as any type of serious addiction. However, unlike addiction treatment plans, food must continue to play a role in your life. My basic goal is to stop further development of any eating problem you may have, and assist you in returning to a healthy lifestyle. The most successful focus is on harm reduction as an overall principle in addressing eating disorders, with the end goal of moving towards complete recovery. I also typically want to establish effective coping skills to reduce the possibility of relapse and sustain the progress you make in therapy.

As an experienced therapist in the area of eating disorders, I have found that often the greatest healing occurs through re-connectiong with the body, developing a trusting and loving relationship with it, and discovering its wisdom. When one begins to trust that that far from being one's enemy, the body is one's constant friend and guide, one's whole experience of self can be transformed. One lives from one's own core rather than focusing on food, body image, and others' evaluations, and therefore one becomes more confident and life becomes richer and freer.

At Yaletown Counselling, we approach eating disorders with compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person's relationship with food, body, and self. We understand that disordered eating is rarely just about food. It is often connected to deeper experiences around control, identity, emotion, and worth. Our trauma-informed counsellors work collaboratively with clients to explore the underlying factors driving these patterns, build a more attuned relationship with themselves, and move toward healing at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.

Having an eating disorder often leads to different emotions such as sadness, anger, shame and confusion. Having an eating disorder means you are probably also struggling with other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. That is why it is really important to work with a therapist who can not only help you with symptoms of your eating disorder, but also help you with traumas and emotional difficulties that have led to your symptoms. When working with eating disorders, my goal is to help my clients understand their eating disorder from a compassionate perspective and also heal the deeper wounds that might lie underneath their eating patterns.