Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Aurora, ON.

“There are various ways that individuals with eating disorders describe “dealing with” painful feelings: They may numb them through starving, soothe or push them down with bingeing, or get rid of them through purging. This vicious cycle of fearing, avoiding, and feeling overwhelmed and incapacitated by feelings, to the point of having to stay ill or inflict self-harm to escape, makes Emotion-Focused Therapy a compelling approach to treating eating disorders. Emotion-Focused Therapy works directly with painful emotions, and views them as a source of information and meaning. Emotion, if paid attention to, can be like a beacon or a flashlight, leading us to what is important.

Eating disorders are not really about food. They involve complex emotional issues that have significant impact on ones physical, emotional and social health. If you are preoccupied with your weight, focused on body image, size, or shape, compelled to perform specific rituals around food, obsessive about food, or deem foods as “safe” or “unsafe” to eat or uncomfortable participating in social activities involving food (such as getting dinner with friends) you may be engaging in disordered eating. I offer free consultations to answer your questions and help you determine if therapy will be beneficial for you. I look forward to hearing from you.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I work with clients who are addicted to food and/or who are wanting to lose weight. I do not work with people with anorexia or bulimia because I am in private practice and I am neither a physician nor do I work in a medical facility. I have, however, been a psychologist since 1986. I specialize in addictions. If you would like to see me, book now by visiting https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Emotional eating can stem from social expectations, family of origin rituals and gatherings, and negative self-talk. Emotional eating can lead to weight gain and health concerns. I use CBT, DBT and ACT to help clients learn to recognize emotional triggers that lead to eating behaviors when not physically hungry. I also help clients develop techniques to mindfully eat, resist temptation and learn to recognize when emotions are pulling at your puppet strings.

The benefits of receiving therapy for eating disorder(s) with us begins with the supportive and non-judgmental space we provide that explores the underlying causes and triggers of the disorder. There is help for individuals to develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. We can implement new strategies to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs related to body image and self-worth. Additionally, therapy can address the co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, that may contribute to the eating disorder. We provide tools and coping mechanisms to manage triggers and develop a sustainable recovery plan.

Shyamala's approach to working with eating disorders is to address the underlying issues that often perpetuate disordered eating: anxiety, perfectionism and a need for control. In helping clients build confidence and explore alternative ways of managing the underlying issues, clients are able to move towards a life that is no longer controlled by food and body image.

Issues with eating are an understandable reaction to difficult or traumatic circumstances. The word disorder is faulty as it implies that it is a single person's disorder. However, the disorder is one of society. Due to limitations and restrictions of society, institutions, media, and groups, we have learned to restrict and or indulge ourselves in food. It is my goal to explore the emotional and cognitive roots of your issues with food as well as to figure out just how these limitations and restrictions of our society and/or families have affected you. In discovering the roots of the struggle, we can then collaboratively work towards health and healing.