If you’re struggling with food or eating issues, you are not alone. At Wholesome Psychology, we support individuals and families in Edmonton and St. Albert who seek to understand and transform their relationship with food. With a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, our therapists guide you toward greater self-understanding, confidence, and well-being, helping you rediscover a healthy and peaceful relationship with eating.
What Are Food and Eating Issues?
Food and eating issues can take many forms, from preoccupation with dieting or body image, restrictive or binge eating, emotional eating, and other disordered eating behaviors. These struggles might stem from difficult life events, chronic stress, societal pressures, trauma, or internalized beliefs about food and body image. You may not have a diagnosed eating disorder but still experience significant distress around eating, weight, or body acceptance.
- Persistent dieting or calorie counting
- Preoccupation with body weight, shape, or size
- Binge eating, secret eating, or emotional eating
- Guilt or shame after meals
- Restrictive eating, skipping meals, or avoiding entire food groups
- Feeling out of control around food
- Anxiety in social situations involving food
- Fluctuating weight or yo-yo dieting
Recognizing these experiences is the first step in moving toward a more balanced and joyful relationship with food.
Why Food and Eating Issues Deserve Compassionate Counselling
The way we relate to food is deeply connected to our emotional, social, and physical lives. Sometimes, food becomes a tool for managing difficult feelings such as anxiety, sadness, loneliness, or chronic stress. These patterns can undermine self-esteem, physical health, and the enjoyment of life. At Wholesome Psychology, we understand the complex interplay between emotions, behavior, and self-perception that underlies eating difficulties.
Counselling offers a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment to explore what underlies your struggles with food. Our focus is on your unique lived experience—honoring your story, values, and culture. Working with an experienced therapist, you can deepen self-awareness and develop practical skills to shift unhelpful habits and reimagine your relationship with eating.
How We Help: Our Approach to Food and Eating Issues Counselling
Wholesome Psychology’s therapists use evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs, fostering growth, resilience, and sustainable change. We draw on modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Compassion-Focused Therapy, always integrating your voice and goals in the healing process.
- Building self-compassion: We help you adopt a kinder, more understanding approach to yourself, which is a powerful counter to shame and self-criticism often experienced with eating issues.
- Understanding triggers and beliefs: Through collaborative exploration, we identify emotional triggers, negative self-talk, and unhelpful patterns keeping you stuck.
- Skill-building and emotional resilience: Learn strategies for coping with difficult emotions, reducing anxiety around food, and developing mindful, intuitive eating practices.
- Honoring body diversity: We practice and promote body respect and acceptance, challenging rigid cultural standards and helping you feel more at home in your body.
- Empowering your journey: Our therapists support you in setting goals that truly matter to you—whether that’s freedom from dieting, increased confidence, or simply enjoying food without guilt.
Supporting All Stages of Food and Eating Struggles
Whether you’re anxious about food all the time, feeling stuck in cycles of restriction and overeating, or want to improve self-esteem and body image, our team is here for you. We also help individuals navigating:
- Recovering from an eating disorder
- Body image issues for youth or adults
- Chronic dieting or compulsive exercise
- Managing stressful relationships with food after life transitions or trauma
For more severe or specialized eating disorders, we encourage collaboration with nutritionists or medical providers.
Inclusive, Affirming Support for Edmonton and St. Albert
Our practice recognizes the impact of culture, family, gender, and lived experience in shaping how we view food and our bodies. We serve individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your teen, or another family member, Wholesome Psychology offers affirming and culturally sensitive care in Edmonton and St. Albert.
Our therapists are committed to walking with you in your healing journey, honoring your unique voice and empowering you every step of the way. Meet our dedicated and compassionate practitioners on our our therapists page.
Getting Started With Food and Eating Issues Counselling
Taking the step toward counseling is an act of courage and self-care. We invite you to book a consultation or reach out with your questions. In our first session, you’ll find an open, welcoming space to share your concerns and collaborate on a plan that fits your life and values.
If you are considering support for:
- Emotional eating or stress eating
- Body image or self-esteem issues
- Confusing or overwhelming dietary messages
- Guilt, anxiety, or shame relating to food
- Eating difficulties linked to trauma or grief
Our counselors in Edmonton and St. Albert are here to support you with evidence-based, personalized strategies.
Related Services at Wholesome Psychology
In addition to our food and eating issues counselling, we provide support in several specialized areas that may be relevant to your journey:
You don't have to struggle alone. Wholesome Psychology’s food and eating issues counselling in Edmonton and St. Albert is here to help you create a future that feels freeing and nourishing. Contact us today to book your appointment or learn more about how we can help you or a loved one.
