Eating Disorders Therapists in Canada
Specialized therapy for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and disordered eating patterns, often combined with medical and nutritional support for comprehensive care.
What to look for in an Eating Disorders therapist on Purple Lotus
- Training in CBT-E, DBT, FBT, or another recognized eating disorder protocol
- Experience with your specific eating disorder type (anorexia, bulimia, BED, ARFID)
- Willingness to coordinate with a dietitian and physician as part of a care team
- Non-judgmental approach to weight, food, and body without promoting diet culture
2 therapists for Eating Disorders in Canada
Browse 2 therapists specializing in Eating Disorders. Find the right counsellor or psychotherapist for your needs.
Amy Kobelt
My journey to becoming a counsellor started with my own appointment in a counselling office. I remember feeling nervous about the process, but eventually felt inspired by my own healing journey to support others in the same way that counselling has helped me heal and grow. I am passionate about self-growth and discovery, and I love supporting you to better understand your past, make connections and build skills for a better and stronger future. I work from a trauma informed and attachment model and I strongly believe that part of the healing process that happens in counselling is through the therapeutic relationship. I work collaboratively with you to meet your goals in counselling, and I am truly honoured every time someone chooses to invite me into that journey – I know it is not easy! I welcome working with diverse clients of all ages, cultures, genders, sexual orientations and abilities and I currently work with clients ages 12 and up. I specialize in relational and childhood trauma, eating disorders, relationship concerns and anxiety. I am trained in EMDR, OEI and Lifespan Integration Therapies - all of these therapies are designed to help you process traumatic events or negative self beliefs and bring you healing from your past. Trauma disconnects us from ourselves and our bodies and so part of our work will be to help you become more connected to yourself, your feelings and your body. If you have any questions about this please reach out for a consultation call - I would love to chat with you to see if I'm the right fit for you.
Emily Hiram
I offer therapy for adults who feel stuck in patterns with food, their bodies, or their relationships with themselves. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful and self-aware, yet still find themselves caught in cycles of emotional eating, body dissatisfaction, or feeling like they’re “never quite enough.” You might understand the why of your struggles, but still feel pulled back into the same patterns—and that can be frustrating and exhausting. My approach to therapy goes beyond surface-level strategies. Together, we’ll take the time to understand the underlying patterns that are shaping your experience—often rooted in earlier relationships, life transitions, or ways you’ve learned to cope. I draw from a relational, psychodynamic lens as well as Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps us gently explore the different “parts” of you—like the part that criticizes, the part that copes through food, or the part that feels overwhelmed. I work from a weight-inclusive, non-diet perspective, meaning we won’t focus on changing your body. Instead, we’ll work toward building a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food, your body, and yourself. I also support clients navigating major life transitions, including the shift into motherhood. Returning to work, changes in identity, and the emotional complexity of this stage can bring up feelings that are hard to make sense of alone. Therapy with me is collaborative and paced in a way that feels manageable. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin—we’ll make sense of things together.
What is Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves around food, eating, and body image. The most recognized types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Each involves patterns of thinking and behavior that can seriously affect physical health, relationships, and daily functioning. Many people with eating disorders experience significant distress around food and their body long before seeking help, and treatment tends to work best when addressed early.
Therapy for eating disorders typically focuses on the psychological patterns that maintain disordered eating, such as rigid rules around food, distorted beliefs about body shape, perfectionism, and the role of emotions in eating behavior. Because eating disorders affect the body as well as the mind, treatment usually involves a team: often a therapist, a registered dietitian, and a physician working together. The specific approach depends on the type and severity of the eating disorder, the person's age, and their history with treatment.
Several therapy approaches have research support for eating disorders. Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) is considered a first-line treatment for adults with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, and is also used for anorexia nervosa. Family-Based Treatment (FBT), sometimes called the Maudsley approach, has strong evidence for adolescents with anorexia. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is commonly used when emotional regulation plays a significant role, particularly in binge-purge cycles.
Who this approach may help
Anorexia nervosa
People restricting food intake significantly below what the body needs, often driven by fear of weight gain, distorted body image, or rigid beliefs about food and control.
Bulimia nervosa
People experiencing recurrent cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise, often accompanied by shame and secrecy.
Binge eating disorder
People who experience repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short time, often feeling out of control and distressed afterward, without regular compensatory behaviors.
ARFID and selective eating
People who avoid many foods due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or limited interest in eating, leading to nutritional deficiencies or significant disruption to daily life.
Disordered eating and body image concerns
People who do not meet full diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder but struggle with chronic dieting, emotional eating, body dissatisfaction, or a preoccupation with food that affects their quality of life.
What happens in a session?
- 1
Assess eating patterns and history
The therapist gathers information about your current relationship with food, eating behaviors, body image, and any previous treatment. This helps identify what type of support is most appropriate.
- 2
Identify maintaining factors
You and your therapist explore the thoughts, feelings, and situations that keep the eating disorder going, such as perfectionism, emotional avoidance, or specific triggers around food and mealtimes.
- 3
Challenge unhelpful beliefs about food and body
Using cognitive techniques, you examine rigid rules or distorted beliefs about weight, eating, and body shape, and gradually practice more flexible ways of thinking.
- 4
Work on behavioral patterns
You adjust eating behaviors at a manageable pace, such as reducing restriction, interrupting binge-purge cycles, or expanding avoided foods, with structure and support throughout.
- 5
Address underlying emotional patterns
Many eating disorders are connected to anxiety, trauma, shame, or difficulty tolerating distressing emotions. Sessions often explore these connections directly alongside the work on eating behavior.
How it compares to other approaches
CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT-E is a specialized version of CBT developed specifically for eating disorders. It targets the particular maintaining mechanisms of eating disorders, including perfectionism, low self-esteem, and mood intolerance, rather than applying general cognitive techniques.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
DBT focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. It is particularly useful when intense emotions trigger binge-purge behavior. CBT-E addresses the cognitive structure of the eating disorder more directly, while DBT provides tools for managing the emotions that drive it.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
FBT is designed for adolescents with anorexia and involves parents taking a structured, active role in re-establishing regular eating. Adult eating disorder therapy is typically individual-focused, with family involvement optional rather than central to the approach.
Nutritional counseling alone
A registered dietitian provides meal planning and nutritional guidance but does not address the psychological patterns that maintain the eating disorder. Therapy and nutritional support are complementary, not substitutes for each other.
Intuitive Eating coaching
Intuitive Eating is a wellness framework, not a clinical treatment. For people with a clinical eating disorder, working with a therapist trained in eating disorder treatment is typically more appropriate before or alongside intuitive eating principles.
How to choose an Eating Disorders therapist
Questions to ask before booking:
- 1
Ask about their specific training in eating disorder treatment. Look for therapists trained in CBT-E, FBT, DBT, or another recognized eating disorder protocol, rather than those who list it as a general interest.
- 2
Ask whether they work as part of a care team. Eating disorder treatment typically works best when a therapist, dietitian, and physician coordinate together. A good therapist will either work with your other providers or help connect you with ones who can.
- 3
Ask about their experience with your specific type of eating disorder. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and ARFID each have different evidence-based approaches, and a therapist's experience should match your situation.
- 4
If you are a parent seeking help for a child or teenager, ask whether they offer Family-Based Treatment (FBT), which has the strongest evidence base for adolescent anorexia.
- 5
Ask how they approach medical monitoring. If your physical health may be at risk, ask how they think about medical safety alongside psychological treatment and whether they will communicate with a physician when needed.
- 6
Ask about session frequency and what early treatment typically looks like. Eating disorder therapy often involves more frequent contact early on, and understanding what to expect helps you plan accordingly.
When this may not be the right fit
Eating disorders can become medically serious, particularly anorexia nervosa. If you or someone you care for is in medical crisis, prioritize assessment by a physician or emergency care before focusing on outpatient therapy.
Outpatient therapy alone may not be sufficient if eating disorder behaviors are very frequent or severe. Some people require a higher level of care, such as day treatment or residential programs, where medical monitoring and more intensive support are available.
If significant trauma underlies the eating disorder, your therapist may recommend building stability and coping skills before working directly on eating disorder patterns. Trauma-focused work can be incorporated once there is enough foundation.
If you are not yet ready to change eating behaviors, motivation-focused approaches can help build readiness before starting a more structured protocol. A therapist experienced with eating disorders can work with ambivalence rather than requiring full commitment upfront.
Related specialties
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of therapy are used for eating disorders?
CBT-E, DBT, and Family-Based Treatment (FBT) are the most researched approaches. CBT-E is commonly used for adults with bulimia and binge eating disorder. DBT helps when intense emotions drive eating behavior. FBT has strong evidence for adolescents with anorexia. A therapist experienced in eating disorders will match the approach to your situation.
Do I need a diagnosis to see an eating disorder therapist?
No. Many people seek help for disordered eating patterns or body image concerns that do not meet full diagnostic criteria. If you are struggling with your relationship to food or your body, a therapist can assess what kind of support may be useful and help you understand your options.
How long does therapy for eating disorders usually take?
Duration varies. Bulimia and binge eating disorder are sometimes treated in around 20 sessions of CBT-E. Anorexia often requires longer treatment, sometimes a year or more, especially when weight restoration is involved. Recovery is rarely linear, and treatment length is adjusted based on progress and individual circumstances.
Does therapy for eating disorders involve talking about food?
Yes, but not in the form of diet advice. A therapist explores your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around food rather than prescribing what to eat. Guidance on nutrition and meal planning typically comes from a registered dietitian working alongside the therapist.
Can eating disorder therapy be done online?
Yes. Research supports online delivery of CBT-E and other eating disorder treatments for people whose medical status is stable enough for outpatient care. Online therapy can be a practical option for those with limited local access to eating disorder specialists. Check each therapist profile for available formats.
Is therapy enough, or do I also need a dietitian and doctor?
For most eating disorders, therapy works best as part of a broader care team. A dietitian supports nutritional rehabilitation, and a physician monitors physical health. Therapy alone may be enough for some cases of binge eating disorder or disordered eating without medical complications, but a full assessment helps clarify what level of support is needed.
Looking for an Eating Disorders therapist?
Browse therapists in Canada who specialize in eating disorders. Filter by location, fee, and session format to find the right fit.