Eating Disorders Programs

Eating disorders lead to serious health problems, and can eventually become life threatening.

It is estimated that three to five per cent of the female population of Calgary have experienced an eating disorder. Since implementing the Eating Disorders program in 1995, Calgary Counselling Centre has provided specialized counselling to thousands of clients, both male and female, with eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, binge eating, and compulsive eating as well preoccupation with weight and body image.

Calgary Counselling Centre offers a comprehensive, outpatient eating disorder program available to women, men and youth. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of the individual. Calgary Counselling Centre has developed a multifaceted approach to the treatment of eating disorders in which the primary counsellor consults with a multi-disciplinary team, including the family physician, group facilitators and dietician. Families and friends are encouraged to participate in counselling as they are an integral part of the recovery process.

Workshops and Therapy Groups

Eating Disorders: A Workshop for Family and Friends

This 6-hour workshop is held over 3 weeks, at 2-hours per evening, to provide family and friends with knowledge and skills to support a loved one struggling with an eating disorder, extreme dieting, or body image concerns. more...

Psychotherapy Group: Towards Healthy Eating

This is a 14-week group counselling program for females and males who are struggling with restrictive (anorexic) and/or binge/purge (bulimic) eating disorder behaviours. This group focuses on assisting individuals in changing their perceptions and behaviours of body image, food,
self-esteem, communication and emotional health, in addition to providing healthy coping strategies.

Psychotherapy Group: Towards Balanced Eating

This is a 14-week group counselling program for females and males who are struggling with binge and/or compulsive overeating behaviours. This group focuses on assisting individuals in changing their perceptions and behaviours of body image, food, self-esteem, communication, and emotional health, in addition to providing healthy coping strategies.

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Some Symptoms of an Eating Disorder

• binge eating behaviours
• erratic eating patterns
• restrictive behaviours
• purging behaviours (laxative abuse, vomiting, excessive exercise, etc.)
• using food as a reward or punishment
• belief that being thin is more important than being healthy
• low self esteem
• severely under or over a healthy weight
• depression and anxiety

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Program Goals

• assist recovery from an eating disorder
• work on issues and concerns related to the onset of the eating disorder and its effects on the mind and body
• discuss issues such as the cultural drive for thinness, falsehoods within the diet industry, obesity, and dieting
• explore the effects of body image and self-esteem
• help individuals increase their self-esteem and live a healthy lifestyle
• develop healthy coping strategies
• explore the meaning and value of food

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Fees and Registration

All clients must participate in individual counselling prior to beginning the group program. Acceptance in the group is not automatic and is at the discretion of the counsellor.

To access counselling please fill in this_form or call 403.691.5991 to request an initial evaluation session.
Programs are offered on a regular basis throughout the year.

Fees for the Centre’s programs (with the exception of the Marriage Preparation Program and Eating Disorders: Family and Friends) are based on a sliding scale, according to the client’s total gross family income.
Fees are payable each session by cash, Visa, Mastercard, or Interac.

Your assigned counsellor will be responsible for all your counselling needs in the Eating Disorders Program. The counsellor will be in consultation with your family physician, the dietician, and other professionals as required for the program.

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