Relationships with food can be complicated.
On the one hand, eating can be enjoyable, nourishing and we need food to survive. On the other hand, food can sometimes provoke deep-rooted feelings around body image, health, weight, and control.
Sometimes people develop unhealthy relationships with food and patterns of disordered behaviours emerge. Disordered eating can cause significant distress, anxiety and shame, as well as serious health problems.
You may be noticing:
- Preoccupation with eating, food, body shape, and weight
- Feeling anxious and or irritable around meal times
- Feeling ‘out of control’ around food
- ‘Black and white’ thinking (e.g., rigid thoughts about food being ‘good’ or ‘bad’)
- A distorted body image
- Using food as a source of comfort (e.g., eating as a way to deal with boredom, stress or depression)
- Using food as self-punishment (e.g., refusing to eat due to depression, stress or other emotional reasons)
Understanding Eating Disorders
Disordered eating can affect anyone: men and women, children, teenagers, and adults.
Some people struggle with it for a brief period, while for others it can feel ongoing or even lifelong. Some people experience a mild form of disordered eating, while others may fit the criteria for diagnosis of an eating disorder.
At its core, disordered eating is rarely just about food. It often reflects deeper struggles related to control, emotional regulation, self-worth, and how we experience our bodies. Over time, these patterns can become more entrenched, and in some cases, may lead to serious physical and psychological health concerns.
The most frightening thing about eating disorders is that unlike some mental health issues, if these problems are left untreated, they can be fatal.
By understanding how these patterns develop and what they are connected to, you can begin to relate to food, and to yourself, in a different way.
Types of Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge eating disorder
Food addiction
Orthorexia Nervosa
Purging disorder
Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS)
Pica
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Compulsive exercise
Physical Signs That May Also Be Present
Rapid weight loss or frequent weight changes
Loss or disturbance of menstruation in girls and women and decreased libido in men
Fainting or dizziness
Feeling tired and not sleeping well
Lethargy and low energy
Signs of damage due to vomiting including swelling around the cheeks or jaw, calluses on knuckles, damage to teeth and bad breath
Feeling cold most of the time, even in warm weather
How Counselling Can Help
Eating disorder counselling can help you:
- Identify and understand the signs and symptoms of the eating disorder
- Make a management plan for dealing with triggers
- Learn to curb urges and lessen obsessive thoughts around food
- Address some of the underlying psychological issues around body image, control, or weight
- Address any physiological problems from the disorder and work to keep a healthy diet and eating schedule
- Create a support network of friends, family and sometimes others with similar struggles
- Work to establish a healthy and happy and nutritious relationship with food
Eating disorder counselling can help you move toward a more stable, supported, and compassionate relationship with food and your body.
Our Therapeutic Approaches
We draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, grounded in a flexible, collaborative, and client-centred way of working that adapts to what is most helpful for you.
This allows us to shape our work around your needs, experiences, and goals, drawing from different therapeutic modalities as needed. Learn more about our approach to care.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT can help address patterns of thinking and behaviour related to food, body image, and control.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT can support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and reducing impulsive or harmful patterns.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR can help process underlying trauma that may be contributing to disordered eating.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
SE can gently work with how eating patterns are connected to the nervous system and body awareness.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT can help shift your relationship with thoughts and support values-based action.
Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy can help you explore and reshape the stories you carry about your body, identity, and worth.
If your relationship with food is becoming stressful or overwhelming, counselling can help you find a healthier and more balanced way forward.
Meet Some Our Counsellors Who Work With Eating Disorders
Warren Tews
Robin Klasson
Deni Fitzpatrick
Erica Burdzy
Viktoriia Brzhezytska
Over the last 13 years of her practice, Viktoriia has learned to develop safe and trustful relationships with clients that she strongly believes is a foundation of good therapy. She primarily draws on CBT and Schema therapy .
Webinars on This Topic
Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Disorder Counselling
No. Many people seek support for disordered eating patterns, even without a formal diagnosis.
That’s okay. Counselling can begin wherever you are, including simply exploring your relationship with food and your readiness for change.
Yes. Body image is often closely connected to eating patterns, and counselling can help you develop a more compassionate and realistic relationship with your body.
No, as sessions may also focus on the underlying emotional, relational, or psychological factors connected to eating patterns.