Find compassionate eating disorder counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo. Outpatient therapy promotes self-acceptance and a healthy relationship with food.
Living with an eating disorder—whether anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder can feel isolating and exhausting. Every day, thoughts about body image, diet, or bingeing and purging can take over your life, making it hard to feel in control. At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, our therapists provide a safe, understanding space where people struggling with an eating disorder can talk openly, be heard, and start to find balance.
Our mental health professionals use evidence-based treatment approaches to help individuals with eating disorders regain healthy eating patterns and improve their physical and mental health. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Enhanced CBT (CBT-E) specifically for eating disorders, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and family-based treatment (FBT/Maudsley approach). We also offer family therapy, outpatient programs, and can connect you with inpatient or residential treatment when specialized care is needed, all tailored to your individual needs.
You don’t have to go through this alone. With therapy sessions, support from a treatment team, and access to community-based resources, people with eating disorders can learn to manage thoughts and behaviours around food, build healthier eating habits, and feel more in control of their mental health and daily life. Taking that first step toward support can make a real difference—and you deserve that chance to heal.
Living with an eating disorder—whether anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, or other disordered eating patterns—can feel overwhelming and isolating. Thoughts and feelings about food, body image, and perfectionism can take over daily life. At Upstream Counselling, our therapists provide a safe, understanding space where youth and adults can share their experiences, access specialized treatment, and get reliable information about eating disorders.
Eating disorders are complex, and behaviours like bingeing, purging, or restrictive eating can affect both physical and mental health. In therapy, clients learn to normalize eating patterns, develop healthier eating habits, and get support if they are underweight or struggling with binge-eating.
Disordered eating is often connected to mental health conditions or perfectionism. Our therapists help clients manage thoughts and feelings that influence their eating, while also supporting mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or substance misuse.
Disordered eating is often connected to mental health conditions or perfectionism. Our therapists help clients manage thoughts and feelings that influence their eating, while also supporting mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or substance misuse.
Eating disorder therapy can involve family and community support. Family therapy, outpatient programs, and guidance for loved ones help children, youth, and adults feel supported and connected throughout treatment and recovery.
Counselling is offered in outpatient settings, inpatient programs, or through specialized eating disorder treatment when more intensive care is needed. Clients receive personalized support designed to meet their unique needs, ensuring they get the guidance and care necessary for recovery.
Through therapy, clients learn to manage bingeing and purging behaviours, improve eating habits, and develop healthier thoughts and feelings about body image or figure and food. With ongoing treatment and support, people with eating disorders can take steps toward balanced eating, mental well-being, and long-term recovery.
Take control of the process.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting but the truth is you decide what (and when) to share. Our diverse team specializes in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. No matter your situation, we're here to support your journey to empowerment and mental wellness.
Your therapist is your guide.
Finding the right therapist is key to achieving your goals. Dip your toes into the therapy experience by booking a free consultation with one of our registered psychotherapists. These appointments are an opportunity to address your questions and explore your challenges, needs, and aspirations.
Commit to the experience.
To maximize the benefits of counselling it’s important you attend sessions consistently. When in session, we encourage you to lead the agenda. (Remember, this is YOUR therapy!) Between sessions, we hope you will strive to apply new insights, practice new skills, and develop new habits that support personal growth.
Have you ever felt stuck in your eating habits, worried about your body, or pressured by perfectionism, and didn’t know where to turn? You’re not alone, and it can be overwhelming to face these challenges on your own.
At Upstream Counselling, we provide support for children, youth, and adults dealing with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, or other complex conditions. Our therapists offer a safe, confidential space where you can share your story, be heard, and access information and support to start your recovery journey.
Many people also experience emotional and mental health challenges alongside eating disorders, including anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or struggles with mental health and addiction. Our team helps you navigate these thoughts and feelings while addressing eating disorder symptoms, supporting people who are underweight, and guiding clients who may misuse laxatives or struggle with bingeing and purging behaviours.
Our counselling program includes one-on-one therapy sessions and treatment programs tailored to your individual needs. Family-based support is also available to help children, youth, and adults recover with guidance for loved ones when appropriate.
We can work with other healthcare providers and community supports to make sure you have access to treatment programs, long-term care if needed, and reliable resources such as the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) for information and guidance.
Our counsellors help you manage complex conditions and provide support for ongoing challenges with thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Every step of therapy is designed to help you feel understood, supported, and empowered to make positive changes.
With flexible counselling options, including in-person sessions, Upstream Counselling makes it easier to reach professional care. Recovery from disordered eating takes time, but with understanding, guidance, and therapy, you can build healthier eating habits, improve body image, and move toward long-term well-being.
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
Upstream Counselling provides eating disorder therapy for children and youth, as well as adults, offering a safe, understanding space to share your experiences and start recovery.
Individual counselling: Meet one-on-one with a caring therapist to explore thoughts and feelings about food, body image, and perfectionism, while learning strategies to manage eating disorder symptoms.
Family-based support: Family therapy involves loved ones in treatment, helping children, youth, and adults recover together while improving communication and understanding.
Evidence-based approaches: Therapists use CBT, CBT-E, DBT, and FBT/Maudsley approaches to treat eating disorders and help you build lasting coping skills.
Information and guidance: Get clear, reliable information about eating disorders and available treatment programs so you feel informed and supported.
Long-term recovery: Sessions focus on developing healthier eating habits, managing bingeing or purging behaviours, and supporting your emotional and mental well-being.
Eating disorder treatment supports people who are underweight or struggling with anorexia nervosa, helping them regain control and enhance both physical and mental health.
Individual therapy: Explore how perfectionism and anxiety affect eating habits, while learning to normalize your patterns and rebuild confidence.
Medical and mental health support: Therapy can be combined with guidance on nutrition, monitoring physical health, and addressing related mental health and addiction concerns.
Family involvement: Family can be part of treatment, creating a safe, non-judgmental, and understanding environment for recovery.
Education and resources: Learn about eating disorder symptoms and strategies for maintaining progress outside therapy.
Recovery and well-being: Focus on building healthier eating habits, managing thoughts and feelings, and supporting long-term emotional and physical health.
Counselling helps people struggling with bulimia or binge-eating by addressing unhealthy behaviours and promoting balanced eating habits.
One-on-one therapy: Explore triggers for bingeing and purging behaviours while developing practical strategies to cope with stress or perfectionism.
Family and community support: Loved ones can provide guidance and encouragement, creating a supportive environment for recovery.
Evidence-based methods: Therapists use CBT, CBT-E, DBT, and FBT to effectively treat eating disorders.
Information and guidance: Learn about eating disorder symptoms, healthy eating habits, and treatment programs to support lasting recovery.
Sustainable recovery: Focus on improving body image, managing thoughts and feelings, and building long-term healthy living habits.
Perfectionism can make disordered eating feel impossible to overcome, but therapy can help you challenge unhelpful thoughts and develop healthier coping skills.
Individual counselling: Explore how perfectionism affects eating habits, bingeing or purging behaviours, and self-image.
Evidence-based therapy: CBT, CBT-E, DBT, and FBT/Maudsley approaches help treat eating disorders and support recovery.
Family and community support: Loved ones can be involved in therapy, providing understanding and encouragement throughout treatment.
Education and resources: Access clear information about eating disorders, treatment programs, and strategies to normalize eating patterns.
Long-term recovery: Therapy helps you develop sustainable habits, manage thoughts and feelings, and work toward emotional and physical well-being.
It’s important to seek professional help early when dealing with disordered eating. Reaching out can feel scary, but it’s the first step toward feeling better.
Professional guidance: Therapists provide counselling and treatment programs for children and youth as well as adults.
Educational resources: Access reliable information about eating disorders, binge-eating disorder, ARFID, and related mental health concerns.
Community support: Guidance on local services, support groups, and family-based treatment helps you and your loved ones navigate recovery together.
Treatment options: Learn about therapy types, evidence-based approaches, and ways to normalize eating patterns.
Ongoing support: Counselling focuses on managing eating disorder symptoms, building healthy habits, and supporting long-term emotional and physical well-being.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
Personalized therapy designed to address specific mental health issues while also nurturing personal growth and well-being.
A counselling program focusing on fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and nurturing healthy relationships.
A program designed to support clinical growth, whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional.
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Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
