Eating Disorder
Programming
Our eating disorder programming is available for teens and adults, and combines evidence-based treatment with a client-centered approach that prioritizes collaborative care.
Eating Disorder Treatment Programming
Our Outpatient Eating Disorder Program (EDP) provides evidence-based support to guide individuals toward recovery. We have two treatment streams, one for adults 18+, and another for adolescents. All clinicians working within our EDP are extensively trained in the treatment of disordered eating through specialized continuing education and hospital training.
For Children and Adolescents
This Outpatient Adolescent EDP is comprised of evidence-based treatments that work collectively to facilitate recovery for children, teens. This stream incorporates elements specifically for parents and caregivers in order to foster a home environment conducive to recovery. The program is tailored to the needs of the individual and treats the following Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED), Orthorexia, and disordered eating.
Comprehensive Intake Assessment
Treatment begins with a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment with the following professionals extensively trained in Eating Disorder assessment and treatment:
- Pediatrician or Adolescent Medicine Physician (90 minutes)
- Psychology team member (60 minutes)
- Registered Dietitian (75 minutes)
Individual Therapy
Individualized Eating Disorder treatment meets the client at their current motivational stage and guides them toward achieving their therapeutic goals. It helps individuals understand the function of their disordered eating, reduces problematic eating behaviours such as restriction, bingeing, or purging, and guides them toward developing more adaptive coping strategies.
Dietetic Support
Caregiver Support Series
Recovery Review Reports
Clients in our EDP will receive personalized Recovery Reports every three months. These reports provide a summary of the client’s progress from all clinicians involved in their care and include objective assessment results so they can track their improvement across a variety of domains.
Adjunct Treatment Options for Adolescents
We offer a number of additional offerings to enhance treatment and meet our clients’ individual needs. These include medical monitoring, medication consultations, group therapy, and caregiver treatment.
Click any link below for a full description.
Individual Caregiver Support
Individual sessions are available for those supporting disordered eating.
Group Treatment
Specialized groups including DBT Skills, RO-DBT, Body Image and Motivational Enhancement groups can be added onto treatment as desired.
Medical Monitoring via TPWG+MD
In-house medical monitoring with a physician specifically trained in eating disorders, ensuring consistent care.
Medication Consultations
Medication optimization assessments with a physician or nurse practitioner, with prescribing where appropriate and follow-up as needed.
*OHIP-funded services may be accessed only with a valid Ontario Health Card and physician referral.
Outpatient EDP for Adults
This program consists of evidence-based treatment components that work collectively to facilitate recovery in adults. This stream involves flexible programming that can be tailored to the unique needs and motivational stage of participants. Treatment components include:
Individual Therapy
Individualized Eating Disorder treatment meets the client at their current motivational stage and guides them toward meeting their therapeutic goals. It helps clients understand the function of their disordered eating, reduces problematic eating behaviours such as restriction, bingeing or purging, and guides clients toward developing more adaptive coping strategies.
Dietetic Support
Dietetic support for those struggling with disordered eating helps clients understand their symptoms on a physical level and supports them in gradually improving their relationship with food and their bodies. Fully customized to an individual’s needs, this service incorporates monitoring of eating, personalized meal plans for each stage of recovery, and exposure work for managing food rules and restrictions.
Medical Consultations via TPWG+MD
(as needed)
TPWG offers in-house consultations with our Adolescent Medicine Physician or our Nurse Practitioner. These professionals are able to assess and make recommendations to optimize medications and can offer follow-up care until stabilization is achieved.
Adjunct Treatment Options for Adults
We offer a number of additional offerings to enhance treatment and meet our clients’ individual needs. These include medical monitoring, medication consultations, group therapy, and caregiver treatment.
Click any link below for a full description.
Group Treatment
Specialized groups including DBT Skills, RO-DBT, Body Image and Motivational Enhancement groups can be added onto treatment as desired.
Medication Consultations
(as needed)
Our NP is able to assess and make recommendations to optimize medications and can offer follow-up care as needed.
Medical Monitoring via TPWG+MD
In-house care by trained NP for consistent support in assessing and managing Eating Disorders, with minimal waits and barriers.
*OHIP-funded services may be accessed only with a valid Ontario Health Card.
EDP Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Adolescent EDP intended and designed to support?
The treatment within our EDP is customized to the client’s needs. It’s intended for the following presentations: Those new to Eating Disorder treatment; those who have received some form of treatment in the past; those who have been recently discharged from more intensive treatment (inpatient/day program); OR who are on a waitlist for OHIP-covered eating disorder treatment and require symptom interruption or preventative work.
How long does the program take?
The program length is completely dependent on the severity of symptoms, the client’s willingness to participate in treatment, and parent/caregiver’s ability to implement recommendations within the home. Treatment typically takes between 6 months to 1 year, though more severe presentations may take longer.
How do you measure success in this program?
Success in our adolescent ED program is measured using our Recovery Review every 3 months, which incorporates a physician and therapist assessment and evidence-based assessment measures that look at specific domains of psychological and behavioural functioning.
I don’t think we need to see a dietitian, can we just skip that?
A dietetic assessment and treatment is a requirement for anyone in the EDP. This allows your treatment team to properly assess your intake, daily needs, healthy weight range, and establish proper goals for refeeding or balancing your intake. We cannot adequately treat an Eating Disorder without this. Ongoing dietetic support is generally necessary for successful long term outcomes. Those with consistent dietetic support typically recover more quickly.
I don’t think I need a Comprehensive Intake Assessment, can we just skip that?
Comprehensive intake assessments allow us to gather all the medical, psychological, and dietetic information relevant to establish the right treatment plan for each client. This is part of what makes TPWG’s EDP unique, as we do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. That being said, if clients have been given recent diagnoses, have a physician already managing their care, are currently involved in dietetic treatment, or have recently been discharged from a hospital program, we can adapt this intake process to meet individual needs where warranted.
Why are parents required to attend the caregiver workshops?
Parental involvement is significantly related to therapy outcomes. Parents must create an environment within the home that is conducive to recovery and not reinforcing the ED. With the right skills, parents can expedite treatment and reduce their child’s distress during recovery. We deeply believe in parents’ ability to help their teens heal, and we want to ensure you are armed with the right tools to facilitate this.
What other supports are available for my teen?
Additional group supports are available at the clinic, including DBT Skills Group and RO-DBT Skills Group, both of which are evidence-based for the treatment of Eating Disorders. Other groups at TPWG occur regularly and are shared on our website and social media. Snack and/or meal support is also available with our dietitians and can be helpful for working parents who may not be able to monitor meals.
Medical support is also available at the clinic. While teens will meet with a physician where applicable as part of our comprehensive intake assessment, ongoing medical monitoring is also available. Consultations with our Adolescent Medicine physician and NP are both available, as well. These professionals are able to address concerns pertaining to psychiatric medication and provide medication optimization assessments and follow-up care as needed.
How do you ensure medical stabilization?
TPWG‘s unique multidisciplinary program allows us to collaborate closely and consistently with medical providers to assess physical stability throughout treatment. Our physicians and NP are specifically trained in the assessment and management of Eating Disorders, having worked in this field for many years. They can consult with your family physician in your care or can oversee medical monitoring for you at the clinic.
How do I know if we need Family Based Treatment or a different approach?
The Comprehensive Intake Assessment allows our team to determine the appropriate course of treatment for the youth. Engagement in any particular approach is dependent on a number of factors, including past treatment, symptom severity, and your teen’s level of independence. It is important to us to create a treatment plan that aligns with your family’s unique needs. Our Recovery Review process allows us to monitor the client’s progress and make modifications where needed. This process also naturally establishes ‘check-in points’ within treatment to ensure an individual progresses as planned.
