Eating Disorders Program
On this page:
Overview
The Eating Disorders Program at The Ottawa Hospital is also the Regional Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders.
The program supports adults (18+) in the Ottawa-Carleton region and Eastern Ontario who have disordered eating.
We offer assessment and treatment for individuals with:
- Anorexia nervosa.
- Bulimia nervosa.
- Atypical anorexia nervosa.
- Purging disorder.
- Binge eating disorder (limited to medication-based treatments).
Our program is committed to providing evidence-based treatment to help our patients recover from their eating disorder (ED). We respect that each patient’s journey towards restored health is unique. Therefore, we are committed to meeting patients where they are in terms of managing their ED symptoms.
We strive to help patients identify ways in which their symptoms interfere with their lives and future goals and help patients to address these through normalization of eating, weight restoration (if applicable), and reduction or elimination of ED symptoms.
We also help patients address problems underlying the eating disorder and aid them in establishing or returning to a healthy and productive lifestyle.
Team
Our programs are delivered by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Marco Solmi, Psychiatrist and Program Director. The team includes psychiatrists, registered nurses, a nurse practitioner, clinical psychologists, dietitians, a social worker, a program evaluator and administrative staff.
Together, the team provides coordinated care through both group and individual sessions.
Programs
Readiness support
As you prepare for your treatment, we have a readiness team who provide support as you begin your journey towards recovery. Through the readiness program our aim is to prepare you as best as we for treatment. You can expect to be offered a virtual information session, an individual session that will help you identify your goals of recovery and discussions about what you can do to prior to treatment, and weekly group sessions that will focus on topics such as meals, nutrition, motivation and understanding your journey of recovery.
Intensive Day Treatment Program
An eight-week virtual program designed for individuals with more serious eating disorders. It runs Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can accommodate up to eight patients at a time. Patients are encouraged to take time away from work, school or other responsibilities to fully participate.
Inpatient Symptom Interruption Program
A six-bed inpatient unit offered to patients with severe eating disorders who are at a high risk of being medically compromised because of severe weight loss and or severe purging behaviour. This hospitalization aims at interrupting these symptoms in order to stabilize patients medically and can be followed by intensive outpatient virtual care.
Psychoeducation and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Outpatient Program
A 10-week virtual treatment for patients with mildly to moderately severe eating disorders. It offers nutritional counseling provided by the program dietitian and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provided by an eating disorder team specialist.
For more details, see the Guide: Regional Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders.
Patients who have eating disorders of mild severity may be considered for the Outpatient CBT group only if it is available at the time of the patient’s consult.
Referral and assessment
All patients who want to be assessed for the Eating Disorder Program must first be referred to the program by a physician or nurse practitioner. They must complete the Eating Disorder Referral for Assessment Form and fax it to our clinic at 613-737-8652.
Once a referral is received, you will be offered a consultation appointment, which is a focused assessment by an eating disorders specialist(s). The severity and nature of your eating disorder will determine the treatment program that will be offered (if any).
Following the consultation, you are free to choose whether to accept or reject the treatment recommendation. If you accept, your name will be placed on a waitlist. When a spot becomes available (which may take up to several months), you will receive a call with your start date.
Patients admitted to the program must continue to be followed by their referring provider, who is also responsible for ongoing medical monitoring, as per our guidelines.
Resources
We encourage patients to consult the resources below while you’re on the waitlist for our program and throughout their recovery journey. Share and review them with a counselor or psychotherapist in the community, a physician, your personal support system, and review them on their own.
There are three main focus areas:
Education
Learn about some of the key concepts explored throughout our program and in eating disorder treatment and recovery. These include cognitive behavioural therapy and self image, dialectical behavioural therapy, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Skill-building
Begin practicing some of the many positive coping skills used throughout our program. These will support you alongside your recovery journey, no matter what stage you’re at.
Motivation
Grow your motivation to choose recovery every day.
Contact us
Eating Disorder Program
613-737-8899 ext. 78010
613-737-8652
The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus
Room 4428
501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6