Eating disorders can be difficult to recognize because they often develop gradually and are accompanied by secrecy and shame. Signs that you or someone you love may be struggling with an eating disorder include a preoccupation with food, weight, or body shape; rigid or restrictive eating patterns; eating in secret; frequent dieting; distress around mealtimes; using food to cope with emotions; or significant changes in eating behaviour. You don't need to meet the full criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder to seek support — if your relationship with food or your body is causing you distress or affecting your quality of life, we are here to help.

No. Eating disorders affect people of all body sizes, and weight is not an indicator of the presence or severity of an eating disorder. Many people with serious eating disorders, including atypical anorexia, are not underweight. Focusing on weight as a measure of whether someone has an eating disorder can prevent people from seeking the help they need and deserve. If you are struggling with your relationship with food or your body, your experiences are valid regardless of your size.

Eating disorder recovery is a process that looks different for everyone. The length of treatment depends on the type and severity of the eating disorder, the presence of other concerns such as trauma or anxiety, and your individual goals and circumstances. Some people experience meaningful progress within a relatively short period of time, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will work with you to establish goals and regularly assess your progress throughout treatment.

Eating disorder therapy is not covered by MSP in BC. However, many extended health benefit plans cover sessions with a Registered Psychologist and/or Registered Clinical Counsellor. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm whether these designations are covered under your plan and what your coverage limits are. We provide receipts at the time of payment that you can submit for reimbursement.

Yes — we offer virtual therapy for eating disorders to anyone in British Columbia. Online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for many eating disorder concerns and offers the added convenience of attending sessions from wherever you feel most comfortable. All virtual sessions are conducted through a secure, confidential platform.

We currently focus on supporting the individual with the eating disorder rather than providing family therapy. However, one of our therapists who works with youth offers caregiver consultations to parents in support of the work she is doing with their child. These consultations focus on psychoeducation and emotion coaching drawn from Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), equipping parents with the understanding and skills to best support their child's recovery. If you are a parent of a young person with an eating disorder and are interested in this service, please reach out and we can connect you with the right person on our team.

Our Registered Dietitian works alongside our therapists as an integral part of eating disorder treatment. She assesses for malnutrition and reviews relevant lab work to inform and guide her work with you, supports nutritional rehabilitation and the gradual normalization of eating patterns, and works with you to reintroduce fear foods at a pace that feels manageable. She also provides evidence-based nutrition education to challenge the myths and diet culture misinformation that so often fuel eating disorders. Having both a therapist and dietitian as part of your care means your emotional and physical recovery are supported together.