Find An Eating Disorder Therapist in Ottawa, ON.

Eating Disorders is another behavior that has been learned through practice. It is another habit that can be unlearned. It is effective to go into the underlying reasons for the behavior. There, we will find a lot of self esteem issues and deeply rooted negative core beliefs which are negative underlying assumptions about ourselves. People can greatly benefit from correcting those negative core assumptions so we may stop the surfacing of negative thoughts. By learning how to, we can change negative thoughts to either neutral or positive thoughts, which will tell our brains to make our bodies feel calmer or happier feelings. Only then are we able to stop the self defeating behaviors.

In my counselling practice and in my hypnotherapy practice I often talk with clients about what is "weighing them down" when they come to me with weight issues. If they come to me with an eating disorder that is not about weight but about consumption practices that are hurting them I will ask them how they connect with their external world and their life-style without using food or drink as the connector. In either case I have several hypnotherapy techniques that are specifically designed for overcoming eating disorders.

In a supportive and empathic environment I help people who are suffering from an eating disorder to develop trust, build motivation for change, implement and maintain strategies to change as well as monitor their recovery process and journey of self-discovery. I work with both cognitive and behavioral strategies as well as an insight-oriented focus on the client's awareness of self and body. My work with an eating disorder often includes family of origin issues.

Eating disorders often arise from a lack of control over one's life. This need is often created from a rigid and demanding environment that did not give you freedom to be yourself. You were forced to behave and meet expectations to be someone you are not comfortable being and did not have someone you could fully trust to be yourself and to lean on. I will give you space to be yourself and work with you to regain a sense of self, while providing tools to cope with life's stressors.

When I see a client with an eating disorder, I do not focus on the disordered behaviour as such. Rather, together we explore the client's family or origin and attachment history--from which our belief system about ourselves and the world are derived. I see this disordered behaviour as most often the result of the debilitating effect of an attachment wound.

Clients struggling with disordered eating will benefit from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach to work on developing a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. Clients will work on developing a high self-esteem and sense of self-control. Clients will set realistic goals and develop healthy tools to cope with daily stressors that might trigger unhealthy eating/exercise patterns.

My goal is to support you to accept yourself, as well as care for yourself and your body. I can encourage you to understand societal and media pressures which contribute to eating disorders. I would offer you relaxation exerces and cognitive therapy. I am also trained in EMDR and EFT which help overcome eating disorders by positively shifting our thinking and modifying our anxiety response. By acknowledging you have a problem and want to find a solution, you are much closer to resolving it. When we are in crisis we are more motivated to step out of our old habits that no longer serve us well. I serve adults and young adults 16 +. This is your opportunity. I am here to help you.

Having an eating disorder can rob you of so many joys in life. The disorder takes over and it becomes very difficult to focus on anything else. I can help you to discover what lies beneath the compulsion to restrict or to binge, and to regulate your food intake. I will refer you to more appropriate services if I feel that you need more of a multi-disciplinary approach, for instance if I feel that your disorder has affected your physical health in ways that I can not help you with.

My experience is primarily with overeating. I like Martha Beck's "been there" caring philosophy and approach and recommend her book and CD "The Four Day Win". My role is to provide psychological support. In addition to working on historical issues that may stand in the way, there is also a need to befriend the "inner critic" and "wild child" voices inside, and take small steps that are sustainable. I encourage assistance from groups and dietician and provide family/couple sessions as needed.

Individuals and families experiencing disordered eating often feel isolated, stigmatized, and may feel apprehensive of seeking out the support they deserve, to help regain control of this aspect of life. I provide skilled and compassionate help with practical guidance and emotional support, as well as respectfully assisting to explore concerns and access each person’s unique strengths to help in moving towards goals. Together we will consider what needs to happen to regain a sense of control in living. My practice includes supporting all members of families and working in conjunction with programs such as Hopewell, hospitals, and the Maudsley method. Serving Ottawa with easy highway access.