An eating disorder is a complex mental illness, involving relentless unhealthy thoughts and behaviours towards food, weight and body shape.
Eating Disorders affect people of all ages, weight, size, shape, gender identity, sexuality, cultural background and socioeconomic group. They have detrimental impacts on a person’s life and result in serious medical, psychiatric and psychosocial consequences.
Getting Treatment
Eating disorders are treatable. We have community based services available for youth, families and adults. Our services provide collaborative treatment approaches guided by our clients needs.
We offer:
- Individual therapy
- Psychoeducational Groups
- Group Therapy
- Family Based Therapy
- Nutritional Support
- Liaison/referral to tertiary eating disorders programs
- Collaboration with GPs/NPs
See below options for getting treatment in your community
- South Island
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Community Based Eating Disorder Services for South Vancouver Island Residents (youth, family, adults) are provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Referral required from family doctor.
Contact telephone: 250-387-0000
- Cowichan Valley
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For adults
Community based Eating Disorder Services for adults with confirmed or suspected eating disorders including: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Other Specialized Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Referrals from General Practitioners or Nurse Practitioners are accepted for those living in Shawinigan Lake, Duncan, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan, Mill Bay and Ladysmith.
Email contact: EatingDisorderClinicCowichan@islandhealth.ca
Telephone: 250-732-2376
For youth
For Youth/Caregivers in the Cowichan Valley – services are provided through Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH). No referral required to access CYMH Youth Eating Disorder Services.
Telephone: 250-737-2588
Location: 161 4th Street Duncan BC
- Central Island
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For adults
Community based Eating Disorder Services for Adults with confirmed or suspected eating disorders including: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Other Specialized Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Referrals from General Practitioners or Nurse Practitioners are accepted for those living in Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Oceanside, Alberni Valley, and the West Coast.
Contact email: EatingDisorderClinicCI@islandhealth.ca
Telephone: 250-739-5880 ext 56117
For youth
Community based Eating Disorder Services for Youth and their families with confirmed or suspected eating disorders including: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and Other Specialized Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Referrals from General Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners and Pediatricians are accepted for those living in Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Oceanside, Alberni Valley, and the West Coast.
Contact email: NanaimoEDClinic@islandhealth.ca
Telephone: 250-755-7955
- North Island
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For adults and youth
Community based Eating Disorder Services for Adults with confirmed or suspected eating disorders including: Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Other Specialized Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Referrals from General Practitioners or Nurse Practitioners are accepted for those living in Comox Valley, Strathcona, and North Island
Contact information for adults
Email: EatingDisorderClinicCR@islandhealth.ca (Campbell River)
EatingDisorderClinicCV@islandhealth.ca (Comox Valley)
Telephone: 250-331-5900 ext 65325 (Comox Valley) or 250-204-0413 (Campbell River)
Contact information for youth:
Email: EatingDisorderClinicCR@islandhealth.ca (Campbell River)
EatingDisorderClinicCV@islandhealth.ca (Comox Valley)
Telephone: 250-331-5900 ext 65321 (Comox Valley) or 250-204-0413 (Campbell River)
Supporting Family, People in Your Care and Peers
Support for Parents/Caregivers of Individuals with Eating Disorders
Peer Support for Clients with Eating Disorders