Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Brighton, ON.

Disordered consumption/elimination behaviour ranges from starvation, bingeing, purging and eating restriction to newer disorders like diabulimia and orthorexia. Sometimes numbing, existential ambivalence, shame or dread of weight gain accompany an eating disorder. Modern Western culture perpetuates vanity which when combined with perfectionist and overly rigid to abusive early life experience may worsen a variety of eating/elimination imbalances. Clients can often be helped with a comprehensive approaches like DBT (including radical acceptance practice), CBT(cognitive reframing and experiments in balanced self-care ), EFT, hypnosis, and spiritual (eg. 12-step, mindfulness) practices.

As a therapist specializing in eating disorders, I believe in the transformative power of therapy to heal both mind and body. Through our sessions, we delve into the underlying emotional, psychological, and relational factors contributing to the disorder. By fostering a safe and non-judgmental space, we explore the complex relationship individuals have with food, body image, and self-worth. Through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices, clients learn to challenge harmful thoughts and behaviors, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and rebuild a positive sense of self.

Our relationship with food is inescapable. Overeating/denial patterns reflect an effort to combat isolation and the absence of equilibrium in relational dynamics. We are biologically engineered for connection and resonance. When that basic need is not met, we strategize survival in unique ways. By addressing all levels of experience, you can track the sequences relating to choice and absence of choice, be more present to your own emotions, cultivating a deeper connection with your body and yourself which naturally progresses into empowered relationships. Family members can learn to connect and resonate effectively, reducing isolation and creating the longed for feeling of belonging.

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.

I help clients overcome addictive relationships with food. Like all addictions, the behavior is the tip of the iceberg, used to cope with underlying thoughts and emotions. Through collaborative conversations, clients gain insight into underlying concerns, gaining coping skills to more effectively navigate these issues. I draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), helping clients achieve a sense of freedom and control over their lives, leading to long-term change.

Eating Disorders can be some of the most disheartening and frustrating mental health diagnoses to experience. ED's at their core aren't about food, but instead avoidance, anxiety, control, and trauma. Successful treatment relies on examining what you are trying to avoid and providing skills that allow for tolerance and emotional regulation. Recovery from your eating disorder IS possible!

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.