Food might take up more of your thoughts than you'd like. You might feel ashamed after eating, anxious before meals or at war with your body most days. Or maybe you're not sure whether what you're dealing with is "serious enough" to talk about. If you're looking for eating disorder therapy, Ottawa has support close to home. Counselling gives you a private, judgment-free place to understand what's going on and start to feel more at peace, downtown or online.
This post is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
Eating disorder therapy in Ottawa, who it is for
Eating struggles affect people of every age, gender, background and body size. You don't need to look a certain way, be at a certain point or have a diagnosis to deserve help.
Our counselling is for adults who:
feel stuck in a painful relationship with food or eating
struggle with how they see or feel about their body
feel out of control around food, or feel the need to control it tightly
have been in treatment before and want ongoing support
aren't sure what to call it, but know something isn't right
If you're a parent worried about a child or teen, our admin team can talk with you about what support fits their age. Ask about this in your free 15-minute consultation.
Eating concerns come in many forms
Eating disorders don't all look the same. Some people limit food strictly. Some feel unable to stop eating once they start, which is often called binge eating. Some get caught in cycles of eating and then trying to undo it. Others don't fit neatly into any label.
What these experiences often share is that food and body become tied up with feelings like shame, fear, stress or a need for control. Eating concerns can be serious for both mental and physical health, and they're not a choice or a lack of willpower.
Many people hide their struggles for a long time. If you've been carrying this alone, reaching out is a brave step.
What eating disorder counselling in Ottawa works on
Eating disorder counselling in Ottawa focuses on what's underneath the eating, not only the eating itself. Depending on your needs, sessions might explore:
Emotions. Learning to notice and cope with feelings that food has been helping you manage or avoid.
Shame and self-criticism. Softening the harsh inner voice that often drives eating struggles.
Body image. Building a kinder, more neutral relationship with your body.
Patterns and triggers. Understanding the situations, thoughts and stressors that make things harder.
Past experiences. Gently looking at experiences such as trauma, bullying or loss, when that feels right for you.
Coping skills. Finding new ways to handle stress, conflict and difficult days.
Our page on eating disorders counselling describes the approach our therapists take. It's written for our Kitchener-Waterloo clients, but the same kind of counselling is offered at every one of our locations, including Ottawa.
Body image and shame
For many people, body image is at the centre of the struggle. You might check your reflection often, avoid photos or feel like your worth depends on how you look.
Body image therapy in Ottawa can help you notice where these beliefs came from, question the messages you've absorbed and shift the focus toward how you want to live, not how you look. Our post on navigating unrealistic body image standards offers some first steps.
Shame often keeps eating struggles hidden. A good therapist will meet you with warmth and curiosity, never judgment.
Binge eating therapy in Ottawa
If you feel out of control around food and then deeply ashamed afterward, you're not alone. Binge eating therapy in Ottawa looks at the cycle with compassion, including the feelings and situations that tend to come before it. The goal isn't to "try harder." It's to understand what the binge eating is doing for you and build other ways to meet those needs.
Therapy alongside medical care
Eating disorders can affect physical health, so counselling works best as one part of care. Therapy doesn't replace medical care. If you have physical health concerns, it's important to stay connected with the medical care you need.
Your therapist will focus on the emotional and psychological side, and can talk with you about how counselling fits with the rest of your care. If your therapist ever has concerns about your physical safety, they'll talk with you about it openly.
What an eating disorder therapist in Ottawa can offer
Every person's path is different, but an eating disorder therapist in Ottawa can offer:
a steady, private space to talk about things you may never have said out loud
help noticing patterns without blame
support with the anxiety and urges that can come up during change
a collaborative plan that you help shape
someone in your corner during hard weeks
Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based and personalized. Your therapist will explain what they suggest and why, and you can ask questions at any point.
What your first session is like
Your first session is a gentle conversation. Your therapist will ask what brought you in, how things have been going lately and what you'd like to feel or do differently. You decide how much you share and how fast you go. There's no pressure to describe anything you're not ready to talk about.
You'll also talk about your support at home, any care you're already receiving and what you'd like from counselling. Many people feel nervous before the first session and a little lighter afterward, simply because they've finally said something out loud.
By the end, you should have a sense of whether this therapist feels like a good fit. If not, our admin team can help you find someone else. The right match matters, especially with something this personal.
If you are worried about someone else
It's hard to watch someone you love struggle with food or body image. You might not know what to say, or worry about making it worse.
Counselling can help you, too. You can talk through your worries, plan how to raise the subject with care and look after your own well-being. Family sessions may also be an option if your family would like to work on this together.
Downtown Ottawa or online
In person. Our Ottawa office is at 1 Rideau Street, 7th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, inside the Fairmont Château Laurier. You can reach our Ottawa team at (613) 691-1006.
Online. Online sessions use a secure, encrypted video platform and are available anywhere in Ontario. Some people find it easier to talk about food and body image from the comfort of home.
If you're looking for eating disorder help in Ottawa, tell our admin team what you're hoping for. They'll help match you with a therapist who fits.
Cost and billing
Here's what to know about cost:
Individual sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician. Family sessions range from $170 to $200.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so it's worth checking your plan.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers, including for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Desjardins is the exception: through TELUS eClaims, we can direct bill Desjardins for sessions with an RSW, RP or psychologist, but not for an RP (Qualifying).
Your first step
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. You don't need to share details on that call. Just let them know you're looking for support with eating or body image, and whether you'd prefer downtown Ottawa or online.
If you're in crisis: if you feel physically unwell or you're in immediate danger, call 911. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night. You can find more options on our crisis lines page.
Recovery is possible, and you don't have to figure it out alone.