Evidence-Based Eating Disorder Treatment in Ottawa
Specialized Eating Disorder Services
At Anchor, we understand the complex challenges in the identification and treatment of eating disorders. Our interdisciplinary team has breadth and depth of experience in offering specialized assessment and treatment of eating disorders for individuals and their families across the lifespan. We offer evidence-based care from a Health At Every Size lens and a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming approach.
Our Treatment
Our treatment model includes individual work but emphasizes the role of caregivers (parents, spouses, family members) in supporting a loved one to recover from an eating disorder. We believe firmly that no one should have to recover from an eating disorder in isolation without support. We work hard to help our clients include a supportive other in their treatment, regardless of the client’s age or life circumstances. We encourage each client to work with one of our specialized dietitians and psychologists. Our professionals work closely with the client’s family physician and other treatment professionals to ensure coordinated treatment, and to assist in a referral if a higher intensity of treatment is required. Treatment can be augmented with our group offerings and workshops.
Individual and Family Therapy
Eating disorders are a way of coping with painful emotions and difficult situations. Our professionals know that as we work with individuals and families. Family therapy is provided within a framework of Family Based Therapy (FBT) and Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) focusing on skills to support recovery, emotion processing, and strengthening families. Individual work is done with a combination of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with a significant focus on Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT).
Parent / Caregiver Support
Having a loved one struggle with an eating disorder is painful for caregivers, and especially so when they are not given direction and skills in supporting those for whom they care. Our clinicians address this by training caregivers in key support skills such as emotion coaching, relationship repair, behaviour coaching, and recognizing emotional blocks. Caregiver support is offered in two ways:
2-Day Caregiver Workshop
Our 2-day caregiver workshop (hyperlink to registration) is an intensive, cost-effective approach to learning foundational skills in eating disorder support and provides the opportunity to connect with others sharing similar experiences. It is facilitated by our co-directors, Drs. Katherine Henderson and Shari Mayman, who are known for their warm, engaging, and highly interactive approach.
Caregiver Sessions
Caregiver sessions are offered by numerous psychologists at Anchor and are a more individualized approach to learning support skills. Many families combine these for the most comprehensive level of support.
Dietitian Services
Groups
Group therapy can be a highly effective treatment as a stand-alone or to augment individual work. Participating in a group can help clients feel less alone in their struggles, and can allow for individuals to practice important skills in a safe environment. Groups are also a cost-effective way of receiving psychological services and are covered under most insurance plans.