Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Madoc, ON.

Eating disorders can deeply affect emotional, physical, and social well-being, and recovery often requires both compassion and specialized care. In our work together, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the underlying emotional, relational, and cognitive patterns that contribute to disordered eating. My approach integrates evidence-based therapies such as CBT, EFT, and trauma-informed care, focusing on building a healthier relationship with food, body, and self. Together, we address negative self-image, develop effective coping strategies, and foster self-compassion. The goal is to support lasting change by restoring balance, strengthening self-worth, and helping you reconnect

I am specialized in helping clients explore the root of their problems in order to develop new ways of coping and live healthy, fulfilling lives. Often our emotional concerns manifest externally in ways that may be initially useful for coping in the short term, but over time become chronic problematic behaviours, such as addictions or disordered eating. I use approaches such as mindfulness, interpersonal counselling (therapy through relationship), and CBT to explore the factors contributing to the underlying difficulties to promote healthy ways of managing difficult experiences, help clients gain a sense of control and improved self-esteem, and foster lasting growth and transformation.

Dr. Van Blyderveen has over seven years of experience working with clients who have struggled with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and body dissatisfaction. Treatment typically integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approaches. Family Based Therapy (FBT) is offered for youth struggling with an eating disorder.

If you are struggling with an eating disorder we want to focus on what has brought you to your current eating and nutritional patterns and behaviours. I want to initially focus less about the foods you eat and the current behaviours surrounding your food intake, and more about what you are wanting to accomplish in doing so. Do you feel a need to control your environment? Do you feel anxious or out of control in other areas of your life? Are you wanting to push away or ignore some other important concerns? Let's explore. My primary focus is to help you feel good about yourself and your environment, and empower you to continue to create the changes within yourself that you want to make.

My approach to working with people who struggle with food issues, is looking at the issue as an expression of a need that can't (yet) be put into words. Because eating disorders can be quite harmful, a team approach is always recommended; a family doctor, perhaps a nutritionist and a therapist. Together we will look at your history of food and how food and body image was spoken about at home; there are often ties to early childhood here. Then, we'll find ways to help manage symptoms, which could look like finding other ways to express the need/feeling, instead of using restriction or bingeing. Eating disorders are quite isolating, and the hardest part can be admitting you need help.

While I do not offer support for eating disorders, at Psychotherapy Collective, we have other therapists who are well positioned to support you. 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 you may be engaging in disordered eating. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a member of our team today https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team

Eating disorders can take over an individual’s life and make it difficult for them not to focus on their physical appearance and how to take back control of their lives by controlling their bodies. Fortunately, with counselling and the focus on coping skills, an individual is able to get control of their lives and bodies without having to engage in the behaviours they associate with their eating disorders. With the help of counselling, you can find freedom.

Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, and compulsive eating as well preoccupation with weight and shape are quite common in our culture and can be devastating and complex. Often there are severe consequences in terms of productivity, relationships and health. The good news is that it is possible to find our way out of an eating disorder. Whether through individual, family or group therapy, counsellors can assist us in changing our perceptions and behaviours and develop healthy self-esteem, communication, coping skills and emotional well being. (If we could have done it on our own... we would have by now.)

Eating disorders are a complex mental health problem with many contributing factors. My approach focuses on understanding the context of the eating disorder development with each individual client, learning about triggers for related behaviours, and exploring and healing underlying issues. Clients will learn to cope without the eating disorder and will be able to minimize or eliminate unhealthy behaviours. In addition, clients will rediscover who they are away from the eating problem. Many clients have described feeling free or like they have "been lifted out of the fog" as they recover and are able to enjoy their life without the eating disorder thoughts and behaviours interfering.

While I do not offer support for eating disorders, at Psychotherapy Collective, we have other therapists who are well positioned to support you. 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 you may be engaging in disordered eating. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a member of our team today https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team

Body image & eating disorders usually develop alongside powerful emotions such as shame, self-criticism, and a sense of disconnection from one’s body. In this work, I draw on CBT, ACT, DBT, IFS and other modalities to help people develop a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with themselves. In addition to food behaviours, we explore emotional patterns, internal pressures, and life experiences that may be contributing factors. Clients benefit from learning how to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings while reconnecting with personal values, self-respect, and a sense of balance.

I am a Psychotherapist and Addictions Counsellor who has struggled through an Eating Disorder and now my passion is to give back and help others. I understand that having been there myself the feelings of shame, guilt and despair. I have first-hand experience and through my experience along the way I created a way through. I want to help as many people as I can with what I have been able to accomplish myself and share it with others so they no longer have to suffer. I understand that everyone’s journey is unique and no two journeys are alike. I have the patience, compassion, understanding and empathy it takes for you to feel safe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

While I do not offer support for eating disorders, at Psychotherapy Collective, we have other therapists who are well positioned to support you. 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 you may be engaging in disordered eating. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a member of our team today https://www.psychotherapycollective.ca/our-team