48 King William St Unit 2, Huntsville, ON P1H 1G3 | 10 Mississaga St E, Orillia, ON L3V 1V7

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Veritas Psychotherapy & Counselling

Eating Disorder Therapy

Providing compassionate support and effective strategies to help you regain control, find peace with your body, and establish a healthy, balanced relationship with food.

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Veritas Psychotherapy & Counselling

About Eating Disorders

At Veritas Psychotherapy, we offer therapy for a range of eating disorders. We provide a safe space where you can freely explore your feelings and challenges without fear of judgement. Our goal is to help you find a sense of peace and balance, both internally and in your relationship with food, guiding you towards a hopeful and healthier future.

Eating disorders are widespread and impactful mental health conditions, affecting millions of people around the globe, regardless of age, gender, or cultural background. Their symptoms and causes often look different from person to person.  While often associated with young women, the reality is that these disorders do not discriminate, touching the lives of men, older adults, and even young children.

The path to recovery varies for each individual and can be long and complex, but with the right support and therapy, many people do overcome eating disorders and reclaim their health and happiness.

Some of the most commonly recognized and diagnosed eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is by behaviours that interfere with maintaining an adequate weight.


Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterised by periods of food restriction followed by binge eating, with recurrent compensating behaviours to “purge” the body of the food.

Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder can seriously affect psychological and physical health. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food then experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involves limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve any distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness.

ARFID is a mental illness which can severely compromise growth, development, and health.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders refers to atypical presentations of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, among other eating disorders.

  • Worrying a lot about weight and shape.
  • Checking weight often and controlling food strictly.
  • Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating.
  • Mood swings related to eating decisions.
  • Avoiding social meals due to eating anxiety.
  • Hiding eating habits or purging secretly.
  • Experiencing nutritional issues and physical health problems.
  • Feeling lonely and misunderstood about eating struggles.

Eating disorders are often surrounded by myths and misunderstandings, which can lead to misconceptions about their nature and the experiences of those who suffer from them. Here are a few examples of common myths and the reality behind them:

Myth #1: Eating Disorders Are a Choice
Many believe that eating disorders are a matter of choice, but this is far from the truth. They are serious mental health conditions, not decisions made voluntarily. These disorders are complex and involve a range of psychological, biological, and environmental factors. Understanding them as mental health conditions is essential for providing appropriate care and support.

Myth #2: They Only Affect Teenage Girls
It’s a common misconception that only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders. In reality, these disorders can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or background. Men, women, older adults, and even young children can develop eating disorders. Recognizing the diverse range of individuals affected is important for ensuring everyone who needs help can receive it.

Myth #3: It’s All About Vanity
While concerns about appearance can play a role in eating disorders, they are much more than a preoccupation with vanity. These disorders often stem from deep-seated emotional and psychological issues, such as a need for control, low self-esteem, or coping with trauma. Reducing eating disorders to mere vanity oversimplifies the complexities involved and can prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Myth #4: Full Recovery is Impossible
Another common myth is that once someone has an eating disorder, they can never fully recover. While recovery can be a long and challenging process, many individuals do successfully overcome their eating disorders and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Effective treatment; support from family, community, and an eating disorder therapist; and a commitment to recovery can make a significant difference.

Risk factors that could contribute to eating disorders include:

Biological Factors:

  • Family history of eating disorders or other mental health issues.
  • Changes in brain chemistry or structure that may influence eating behaviours.
  • Disruptions in hormonal systems, particularly those related to stress and appetite regulation.

Psychological Factors:

  • High personal standards and a strong desire for flawlessness.
  •  Negative self-image and a lack of confidence.
  • Chronic dissatisfaction with one’s body shape or size.
  • Experiences of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Social and Cultural Influences:

  • Norms and ideals around body image and thinness, often perpetuated by media and social platforms.
  • Influence from friends or social circles regarding weight and appearance.
  • Major changes like starting college, a new job, or going through a breakup.

Environmental Factors:

  • Certain family interactions or expectations around food and weight.
  • Early or frequent dieting, which can disrupt normal eating patterns.
  • Exposure to critical comments about weight or body shape, either personally or through media.

WHO WE ARE

Why work with Veritas Psychotherapy

Because we help you get to the root of your symptoms so you can regain a sense of self, control, and peace within yourself.

We offer therapy that is:

Holistic

Treatment is tailored to each person’s specific needs with the goal of not only treating the symptoms but also addressing the underlying emotional and psychological issues.

Compassionate

We create a supportive space of understanding and acceptance, helping clients to heal without fear of judgement or shame.

Transformative

Our approach is aimed at profound healing, getting to the core of each struggle to foster long-term recovery and a improved quality of life.

Joseph Hoyda, Therapist in Orillia, Huntsville, and Online across Ontario
Joseph Hoyda MA, RP
Clinic Founder, PhD Candidate

Eating Disorder Therapists

Brenda Tichler, Huntsville Therapist

Brenda Tichler

Registered Psychotherapist
Chelsea Howard, Registered Social Worker in Orillia and online across Ontario

Chelsea Howard

Registered Social Worker

Our Approach

How Our Eating Disorder Therapy Works

Sowing seeds outside | Step one of the therapy process is to understand the client's story

We understand your story

During the first session, we will focus on getting a better understanding of your challenges in order to build a connection that will encourage openness.

Growing plants outside | Step two of the therapy process is to identify the client's needs

We identify your needs

After identifying the root of what’s holding you back, we develop a plan tailored to helping you with the emotions and behaviours that will create lasting, positive change.

Nurturing plants outside | Step three of the therapy process is to help the client heal and grow

We help you process and heal

We provide you with tools you need to identify and manage the triggers and situations that come up in your everyday life to help you maintain lasting change.

Girl looking happy and content|eating disorder therapist

Questions About Eating Disorder Therapy

The fees for an eating disorder therapist at Veritas Psychotherapy is $160 for a one hour therapy session. Each of our therapists are registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

In Ontario, services provided by Registered Social Workers are exempt from HST, while Registered Psychotherapists are required to charge HST. All fees are HST inclusive, if applicable.

Yes, we offer psychotherapy for binge eating disorder. Our experienced eating disorder therapist utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven approach in treating binge eating.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for binge eating focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns and behaviours related to eating. During therapy, clients learn to understand the triggers of binge eating episodes, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and work towards a more balanced relationship with food.

This approach not only addresses the symptoms of binge eating but also the underlying emotional and cognitive aspects, leading to meaningful and lasting change in eating behaviours and overall well-being.

At Veritas Psychotherapy, we have an eating disorder therapist who provides in-person therapy for eating disorders and therapy for eating problems at our Orillia office, located at 10 Mississaga Street East, Huntsville office, located at 48 King William Street, or online for individuals located anywhere across Ontario.

NEDA, or the National Eating Disorders Association, is an excellent resource for people wanting to learn more about eating disorders and how psychotherapy for eating disorders can help. For more information, please visit https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ .

The National Eating Disorder Centre also provides referrals, resources, and support to anyone in Canada affected by an eating disorder.  For more information, please visit https://nedic.ca/.

Have more questions?

What you can expect from Eating Disorder Therapy

Every person is different and comes to us with different challenges. Because of this, we can’t guarantee specific results or timeline.

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Get Started

Start Your Therapy Journey

If you have questions about therapy, our services, or anything else, send us a message! We’d love to hear from you.

Call Us

705-664-0310

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Veritas Psychotherapy

Therapy to help you gain the freedom you need to move your life forward.