Registered Psychologists, Certified Canadian Counsellors, and Registered Social Workers providing collaborative, evidence-informed counselling for concerns related to anorexia nervosa. Registered Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Available in person and online across Alberta.

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You Might Be Wondering Whether Anorexia Nervosa Counselling Is Right for You

You may be unsure whether what you are going through is serious enough to warrant reaching out to someone. Perhaps the thought of talking about food, weight, or how your body feels carries more dread than relief. You might be questioning whether your relationship with eating even counts as a problem, or whether you would be taken seriously if you tried to explain it.

Maybe meals have become something to plan around rather than enjoy. Rules about food have grown rigid, and breaking them brings guilt or panic. You might notice that thinking about what to eat, when to eat, or how your body looks takes up space that used to belong to other parts of your life. Pulling away from people at mealtimes, avoiding situations that involve food, or feeling a deep sense of shame after eating are patterns that many people describe when they first consider reaching out.

These responses are not signs of weakness or vanity. They often reflect the ways a person's mind and body have adapted to manage stress, control, or emotional pain. They are common, and they do not mean something is permanently wrong with you.

If you are considering whether speaking with someone could help, this page may be a useful starting point. You can read on to see what counselling for anorexia nervosa concerns looks like at Wholesome Psychology, what to expect, and how to get started.

Who We Help

This service may be a good fit for people who are experiencing:

• Distress around eating, food choices, or mealtimes
• Rigid food rules or repetitive routines related to eating
• Preoccupation with weight, body shape, or appearance that feels hard to set aside
• Shame, perfectionism, or self-criticism connected to food or body image
• Relationship, school, work, or family stress linked to eating concerns
• A sense that eating-related patterns are limiting daily life, even if no formal diagnosis has been made

This service may also be relevant if you are gathering information on behalf of a loved one, or if you are a parent or caregiver looking into support for a child or adolescent.

This service may not be the right fit for:

• People in immediate medical danger (fainting, severe weakness, chest pain, significant dehydration). Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
• People requiring inpatient, hospital-based, or medical monitoring services. This is an outpatient counselling service.
• Forensic or legal assessments. Psychological assessments are a separate service.

Crisis Guidance

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services. Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

• 911 for immediate danger or medical emergency
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Wholesome Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service.

What This Service Is

This service provides outpatient counselling related to anorexia nervosa concerns and related eating difficulties. It is not a diagnostic checklist, a medical monitoring programme, a crisis intervention, or a legal or investigative process. Psychological assessments are a separate service and are not included as part of this counselling.

Counselling at Wholesome Psychology focuses on the emotional, behavioural, and relational aspects of eating-related concerns. The pace of sessions is always set by the client, not the therapist. You will not be asked to move faster than feels manageable.

Depending on the situation, counselling may sit alongside other forms of support, such as care from a family physician, nurse practitioner, dietitian, psychiatrist, or pediatrician. With consent, care coordination with other providers can be discussed. Counselling is one possible part of a broader approach, and no single service is appropriate for every person.

What you share in counselling is confidential. A more detailed explanation of confidentiality and its legal limits appears later on this page.

Signs That Eating Concerns May Be Affecting You

People seeking counselling for anorexia nervosa concerns often describe experiences like:

• Constant mental calculations about food, calories, or portion sizes
• Avoiding meals or social situations that involve eating
• Feeling unable to break food rules even when you want to
• A sense that your worth is closely tied to your weight or body shape
• Physical exhaustion, trouble concentrating, or feeling cold much of the time
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities you used to enjoy
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or emotionally flat in ways that seem connected to eating patterns
• Exercising in ways that feel compulsive rather than enjoyable

Having some of these experiences does not mean something is permanently wrong with you. These patterns are common reactions to stress, control, or emotional overwhelm, and many people find that structured support can help them shift over time.

How Treatment Works Here

• Find your therapist. Use the Match with a Therapist tool or browse Our Therapists page. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance on choosing a clinician.
• Book your first session. Book online through Jane. The first session includes a discussion of confidentiality and consent, an opportunity to describe your concerns, and an initial conversation about goals.
• Build your plan together. Your therapist will work with you to create a plan that reflects your priorities. This plan is collaborative and can be adjusted at any point.
• Ongoing sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and scheduled weekly or bi-weekly, adjusted as needed. Your therapist checks in regularly to make sure the approach still fits.
• Progress check-ins. Therapy goals are reviewed on a regular basis. If your needs change, the plan changes with them. There is no fixed number of sessions required.

If at any point your therapist believes that additional supports or a higher level of care may be helpful, that conversation happens openly and respectfully.

Evidence and Approaches

Psychological treatment is commonly included as part of eating disorder care. The research evidence for specific modalities in anorexia nervosa is still developing, and no single approach has been shown to be clearly superior for everyone. The following approaches are among those recommended by clinical guidelines or supported by research evidence.

Eating-Disorder-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-ED)

What it helps with: CBT-ED targets the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours that maintain restrictive eating patterns, body image distress, and related anxiety.

Evidence summary: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2017) recommends CBT-ED as one of three first-line psychological treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa. A systematic review found that CBT showed improvements in physical and psychological outcomes and may help reduce treatment dropout, though it was not consistently superior to other approaches (Galsworthy-Francis & Allan, 2014).

Limitations: Evidence for CBT specifically in anorexia nervosa involves methodological limitations, and individual responses vary. CBT-ED may not suit every person or every stage of recovery.

Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA)

What it helps with: MANTRA is a structured, individualized therapy that addresses cognitive, emotional, and relational factors linked to anorexia nervosa.

Evidence summary: NICE (2017) recommends MANTRA as one of three first-line treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa. The approach focuses on motivation, identity, thinking styles, and the role of close others in supporting change. The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA, 2019) identifies MANTRA as an emerging treatment showing early promise for adults with anorexia nervosa.

Limitations: MANTRA is a relatively newer approach and the evidence base is still growing. Availability may vary across settings.

Family-Based Therapy (FBT / FT-AN)

What it helps with: FBT involves caregivers directly in treatment, guiding families to provide support, address eating-related behaviours, and work collaboratively toward recovery.

Evidence summary: NICE (2017) recommends anorexia-nervosa-focused family therapy (FT-AN) as the primary treatment for children and young people with anorexia nervosa. The CPA (2019) identifies family-based therapy as an established intervention for children and adolescents, noting the active role of caregivers in supporting recovery.

Limitations: FBT requires caregiver involvement and may not be appropriate in all family situations. Evidence is strongest for children and adolescents rather than adults.

Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM)

What it helps with: SSCM combines supportive therapy with nutritional education, weight monitoring, and psychoeducation in a less structured format than CBT or MANTRA.

Evidence summary: NICE (2017) recommends SSCM as one of three first-line treatments for adults with anorexia nervosa. The approach focuses on building a positive therapeutic relationship and helping the person connect their symptoms with eating behaviour.

Limitations: Research specifically comparing SSCM to other approaches in anorexia nervosa remains limited. A Cochrane review on psychological therapies for severe and enduring anorexia nervosa found insufficient evidence to determine whether any specific therapy is more effective than another (Cochrane, n.d.).

What Results to Expect

Recovery from eating-related concerns is not linear. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few months of regular sessions. Others benefit from longer-term work that unfolds gradually. There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.

Several factors influence how therapy progresses, including the nature and duration of your concerns, your current life circumstances, the presence of other health issues, and how well the therapeutic relationship fits. If the fit is not right, changing therapists or trying a different approach is always an option.

No therapy guarantees specific outcomes. What counselling can offer is a structured, confidential space to explore patterns, build coping strategies, and make changes at a pace that feels sustainable. Outcomes vary, and your therapist will review progress with you regularly to make sure the work remains relevant.

Confidentiality and Privacy

What you share in counselling is confidential. All psychologists at Wholesome Psychology are registered with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and practise in accordance with the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Code of Ethics.

Confidentiality is protected under two pieces of Alberta legislation: the Health Information Act (HIA) and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). These laws govern how your personal and health information is collected, used, and stored.

There are limited, legally defined exceptions to confidentiality:

• Risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else
• Suspected abuse or neglect of a child (mandatory reporting under Alberta law)
• A court order requiring disclosure

Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session, before you share anything personal. You are welcome to ask questions about confidentiality at any point in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to describe what happened in detail?

No. You are never required to share more than you are comfortable with. Counselling can focus on present-day patterns, coping strategies, and goals without requiring detailed descriptions of difficult experiences. The pace is always yours to set, and your therapist will follow your lead.

Is what I share kept private?

Yes. Counselling sessions are confidential and protected under the Health Information Act (HIA) and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). There are limited legal exceptions, including situations involving risk of serious harm or mandatory reporting of child abuse. Your therapist will explain these limits clearly during your first session. For more detail, see the Confidentiality and Privacy section above.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people find meaningful progress in a shorter period of focused work, while others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly and adjust the approach as needed. The duration of counselling depends on your goals, circumstances, and how the process unfolds for you.

What if the therapist is not the right fit?

Therapeutic fit matters. If you feel the relationship is not working, the admin team can help you find a different clinician within the practice. You can also use the Match with a Therapist tool to explore other options. New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Can I access therapy online?

Yes. Virtual sessions are available across Alberta and follow the same confidentiality standards as in-person appointments. Many clients find virtual sessions convenient and effective, particularly if travel or scheduling is a barrier.

Does this page diagnose anorexia nervosa?

No. This page is informational and service-focused. A formal diagnosis, if needed, is a separate clinical process that requires proper assessment. This counselling service addresses eating-related concerns and does not require a diagnosis to begin.

Is counselling enough on its own?

Sometimes counselling is one part of broader care that may also include medical, nutritional, or psychiatric support. The appropriate scope depends on your individual situation. If your therapist believes additional supports may be helpful, that conversation happens openly. Counselling does not replace emergency care or medical monitoring when those are needed.

Can family members or support people be involved?

That may be possible depending on age, goals, consent, and the treatment plan. If support-person involvement is something you would like to explore, it can be discussed early in care. For children and adolescents, family involvement is often an important part of the process.

Meet Your Clinicians

Wholesome Psychology's team includes Registered Psychologists, Registered Provisional Psychologists, Registered Social Workers, Certified Canadian Counsellors, Mental Health Therapists, and Student Therapists. Registered Psychologists and Registered Provisional Psychologists are regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), Certified Canadian Counsellors are regulated by the Canadian Counselling and Psychological Association (CCPA), and Registered Social Workers are regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Provisional psychologists practise under the supervision of a senior registered psychologist.

Many clinicians have training and experience working with eating-related concerns, body image, anxiety, perfectionism, and related topics. To explore individual profiles and areas of focus, visit the Our Therapists page or use the Match with a Therapist tool. You can also call the admin team at 780-904-4880 for guidance.

Children and Youth

Eating-related concerns can affect children, adolescents, and young people. Wholesome Psychology offers counselling for younger clients using age-appropriate approaches. Clinical guidelines recommend family-based therapy as a primary approach for children and young people with anorexia nervosa, involving caregivers directly in the treatment process (NICE, 2017).

Therapists working with younger clients collaborate with caregivers to support the child's recovery environment. The degree and form of caregiver involvement are discussed and adjusted based on the young person's age, goals, and consent. If you are a parent or caregiver looking into support for your child, the admin team at 780-904-4880 can help you find a suitable clinician.

Take the Next Step

If you are considering counselling for eating-related concerns, you can take the next step in a way that feels right for you:

• Book a session online
• Match with a therapist
• Call: 780-904-4880
• Email: info@wholesomepsychology.ca
• Learn more about Getting Started with Therapy

New clients may access their first session at 50% off to help find the right therapeutic fit.

Starting the conversation is enough.

Related Pages

• Weight and Eating Disorders
• Food and Eating Issues
• Online Counselling
• Fees

References

• Canadian Mental Health Association. (n.d.). Understanding and finding help for eating disorders. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/understanding-and-finding-help-for-eating-disorders/
• Canadian Psychological Association. (2019). "Psychology Works" fact sheet: Eating disorders. https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-eating-disorders/
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (n.d.). Eating disorders: Treatment. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/treating-conditions-and-disorders/eating-disorders/eating-disorders---treatment
• Cochrane. (n.d.). Psychological therapies for people with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.cochrane.org/CD012679/DEPRESSN_psychological-therapies-people-severe-and-enduring-anorexia-nervosa
• Galsworthy-Francis, L., & Allan, S. (2014). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for anorexia nervosa: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(1), 54–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2013.11.001
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2017). Eating disorders: Recognition and treatment (NICE Guideline NG69). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng69
• Statistics Canada. (n.d.). Section D: Eating disorders. Retrieved April 30, 2026, from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/
• World Health Organization. (2024). ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics: Anorexia nervosa (6B80). https://icd.who.int/