Eating Disorders Shame Counselling & Therapy

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders comprise a range of attitudes and behaviors relating to food and body-image. The three main eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, and ED NOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified). These conditions manifest to different degrees in different people and can sometimes be mistakenly judged as poor eating habits, or a lack of willpower.

People with eating disorders don't eat in harmony with their bodies' needs, instead, people with Anorexia Nervosa eat much less than they need, while Bulimia sufferers binge and then induce vomiting. They may also do other things to compensate for overeating, including exercising or fasting. ED NOS combines any combination of the other two conditions.

Apart from the physical symptoms and behaviors above, someone with an eating disorder will generally also have poor self-esteem and obsessively research or talk about food, dieting or exercise. Poor body image will cause them to either wear clothes that cover up every inch of their bodies, or flaunt  in order to attract attention. They will find it hard to accept criticism and compliments.

Therapy for eating disorders depend on the patient. While some people respond well to short term outpatient treatment, others respond better to long-term inpatient treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy are long term treatments that have been proven to be effective, while group therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapies and feminist therapies work for people who will respond well to short term therapy.

Family therapy is often advised for children and adolescents who are experiencing eating disorders. Research has also shown dialectical behavioral therapy to be effective.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who addresses eating disorders, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Shame Counselling & Therapy, Spiritual Counselling

There are a variety of approaches to address the issue of shame.  One of them is the Shame Resilience method is based on the research of Brené Brown, Ph.D. LMSW. 

Shame Resilience is the developed ability to practice authenticity when we experience shame, to move through the experience without sacrificing our values, and to come out on the other side of the shame experience with more courage, compassion, and connection than we had going into it.

Shame Resilience is about moving from shame to empathy- the real antidote to shame. Self-compassion is also critically important, because when we’re able to be tender with ourselves in the midst of shame we’re more likely to reach out, connect and experience empathy.

Other approaches, like Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems (CIMBS)  uses what is called a systems perspective that can address how an individual has learned to respond due to early trauma and or other developmental experiences.

Approaches to shame are not limited to the above.  There are many other therapies that address feeling.

If you do contact a therapist regarding shame issues please make sure that you ask them about their training in this area and choose a therapist whose approach makes sense to you.

 

Spiritual Counselling incorporates the different uses and understandings of spirituality that are in use today. In Spiritual Counselling, the word spirit refers to the essence of living.

Some people see spirituality as a set of rituals or traditions, while others follow a different faith. These beliefs are handed down from previous generations, or in some cases, people are drawn to a religion.

Spiritual Counselling encompasses all of that, as well as a person's personal well-being and that of other people. It incorporates beliefs, values, associations, arts, culture, worship, meditation and purpose. Therapists use Spiritual Counselling to help clients to connect with their own spiritual beliefs and communities. They will also point out issues where spiritual beliefs, relationships or practices might be contradicting values, beliefs or goals.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Spiritual Counselling, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Ashley Robinson

B.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
I am a Registered Social Worker and Counsellor here to hold space for your healing while gaining empowerment, self-discovery, higher self-awareness, and deeper self-love.  I have spent much time working with... Read more

Banafsheh Sadeghi

M.A., RSW
Banafsheh is a registered social worker with a Master's degree in Social Work and a Bachelor's degree in General Psychology with more than 20 years of experience in counselling students, individuals, couples,... Read more

Amy Ibrahim

M.A., RCC
Life can be overwhelming sometimes. Whether you're having a hard time navigating family relationships, issues with your partner or friends, or work related issues, you may find yourself feeling alone or... Read more

Scott Harrison

M.A., RCC
Scott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Scott weaves the science and art of clinical counselling into therapeutic conversations that focus on solutions and strengths... Read more

Roma Palmer

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Choosing a counsellor is a very personal decision.  Below please find some information to help you make the choice that is right for you. What is my philosophy of counselling and how can I help you? I believe... Read more

Leah Dhahan

M.A., RCC
Welcome! Are you struggling to set boundaries and speak your truth in relationships? Are you currently experiencing feelings of anxiety, anger, or powerlessness in your life or relationships? Do you find yourself... Read more

Bonnie Zargari

M.A., CCC
    • Online booking
Bonnie Zargari is a Canadian Certified Clinical Counselor who sees clients in person, online or via telephone.  Her main clinical focus is working with adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety and/or... Read more

Tannis Hugill

M.A., RCC
    • Article(s) on profile
I am a Dance-movement and Drama Therapist, BC Clinical Counsellor and Spiritual Director with an MA in Somatic Psychology. I bring over thirty-five years of experience to my work with individuals, groups, adolescents... Read more

Colter Long

M.Ed., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” – Martin Luther King JR. Are you looking for an alternative to traditional talk therapy?  If you are interested in learning psychological tools or... Read more

Shaila Patel

M.A., RCC
*Please note, I am not taking new clients at the present time.* I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a private practice in Coquitlam.  I am also a part-time counsellor at... Read more

Sahiba Walia

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Journeying inward is not always an easy process, but at some point, the call within us to move beyond our suffering and seek connection with ourselves gets louder and harder to ignore. Whether you are starting out on... Read more

Lynn Cameron

M.A., RCC
For over 25 years I have counselled individuals for a wide variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, complex trauma, addictions, stress and bereavement to name a few.   I hold a Masters... Read more

Jamie Johnson

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
As a man, therapy might not be your preferred use of time, yet a growing part of you is curious about what could be. Throughout your life, you’ve felt minimized and closed off from your potential. Maybe you’... Read more

Andria Wrench

M.A., RCC
As a counsellor in the Vancouver and New Westminster areas since 1993, my practice has included working with individuals and groups (in person and online) who are managing a wide variety of challenges that have... Read more

Susan K Forest

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
I am a healer, energy worker and skilled therapist with over 20 years of in-depth spiritual and academic study. I weave love and light energy into each counselling session, as we listen to your body, your inner... Read more

Jyoti Gill

M.A., RCC
I believe that we ALL have the power to heal ourselves. This means that this power resides in YOU too. If that’s hard to believe, I hope that you will grant yourself the opportunity to discover it. In our work... Read more

Celine Du

M.C., RCC
Change can be terrifying, and also difficult and lonely to pursue. Even when you finally make up your mind to embark on the journey of change, the future still feels uncertain. After trying so many times on your own to... Read more

Lillian Kelly

M.A., RCC
I see clients online. from anywhere Frustrated? Unhappy with your relationship? Are you repeating painful patterns in your relationship, and in your life? I can help you create the changes that you long for! You... Read more

Martine Charles

Ph.D., RCC
I have over 25 years experience in providing individual counselling to adult women and men. I offer counselling for a wide variety of difficulties including trauma (recent and past), anxiety, depression, addictions... Read more

Sarah Delroy

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
It is a privilege to walk this path with you. ​I believe that when we find what’s blocking our growth and where our resourced strengths lie, healing will flow into our lives.  This can transform how we... Read more

Jonathan Jung

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Jonathan is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and practicing licensed paramedic in Metro Vancouver. Jonathan offers a laid-back, approachable counselling style that seeks to create safe and comfortable... Read more

CarlaMae Leuschen

M.S.W., RSW
I work with people who are ready to push the boundaries of “normal” to uncover & deconstruct the root causes of their suffering. Many of the clients that I work with are dealing with major depression,... Read more

Candice Seligman

MCP, CCC
    • Online booking
Are you feeling ready for a deeper layer of healing? I am a somatic soul-based therapist who approaches therapy and healing from an embodied, compassionate, empowering, trauma-informed, and holistic perspective. By... Read more

James Lowe

M.A., CCC
    • Online booking
James is a counsellor who practices multicultural counselling in Vancouver, Richmond and Metro Vancouver, BC. James provides cross cultural counselling and therapy to a variety of ethnic and minority immigrants and... Read more

Brit Boyer

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
My Offerings:  I support those who identify as being "sensitive" or "highly sensitive" as well as those who find themselves caught in patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism,... Read more

JY Zhang

M.A., RMFT
    • Online booking
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” -- Laurell K. Hamilton  JY holds a warm, safe, and accepting space for who you are and... Read more

Ryan Boyer

M.Ed., CCC
    • Online booking
I support those who are struggling with their connection to self, and others feeling lost, alone, and/or stuck in life. I support men to connect with healthy mascuinity. I am a transpersonal therapist who believes in... Read more

Jeff Morley

Ph.D., R.Psych
I am an experienced Registered Psychologist (#1577), as well as a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress.  In my practice I help people working through different challenges in their life from relationship and... Read more

Lisa Webster

M.A., CCC
    • In-Person Sessions
  What makes Lisa stand out is her warm personality and her straight forward approach. With gentleness and humour, she guides clients to find their own insights, while providing tools and teaching techniques... Read more

Sarajoy David

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Audio on profile
The focus of my service is the teaching of emotional self-care skills.  I draw upon leading edge therapies in facilitating each person's journey to self-awareness, healing and empowerment. This self-exploration... Read more