Eating and Body Acceptance Counselling
Body Acceptance
Eating & Body Acceptance Counselling
Supporting Your Healthy Body
Edmonton Body Acceptance Therapy
What is Eating & Body Acceptance Counselling?
Therapy for Eating & Body Acceptance therapy is a form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Body Positive approaches which can help you increase awareness to, and eventually change, the negative thoughts that often drive “unhealthy” behaviours, which are not always about eating. We can also help you get to the core of the problem, as your relationship with food may be a symptom of a deeper issue.
Diets don’t work and are designed not to work. It’s not your fault! Diets and fads are based on the principle that you are not enough, and will lose time, money, energy, pleasure, and sense of well-being in the quest to be accepted and loved. Body acceptance is about understanding your relationship with your body and unlearning the ubiquitous toxic messages recycled in our society. Changing your relationship with food and/or your body can be based from a place of respect, love, and genuine concern for yourself. You are much more than the body you live in, and we believe that you are enough just as you are and as you and your body continues to change.
Karen Kirkpatrick and Dr. Jones are also both experienced in working with clients before and after bariatric surgery, so they can support your efforts with experience and knowledge. Please visit their bios for more information.
Edmonton Body Acceptance Counselling
What are the Scientific Benefits of Body Acceptance Therapy?
According to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, counselling has been found to:
- Reduce binge eating episodes
- Promote days without bingeing
- Manage eating
- Reduce shape and weight concerns
An evidence-based study in the International Journal of Women’s Health found that the results of therapy can be active and effective long after the treatment.
Most weight loss trends do not address the underlying causes of weight gain. Body Acceptance therapy addresses the attitudes and beliefs that affect our approach to health.
Further, the CDC notes that weight loss itself comes with a host of physiological and psychological benefits for working with these issues, such as:
- Improvements to blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugars
- Increased energy levels
- Increased physical mobility
- Better general moods
- Improved self-confidence
Edmonton Body Acceptance Therapy
How Does Body Acceptance Therapy Work?
Weight management is about more than simply weight loss, as you may actually need psychological and emotional adjustments. We begin by talking about any factors that may be affecting your body and mind, such as culture, parenting, dating experiences, shame, beliefs about weight loss, body image, avoidance, acceptance, and objectification theory.
If your goal is weight loss, we focus on losing weight in a way that’s healthy and sustainable. A nutritionist may give you the best meal plan and a personal trainer may give you the best workout, but if you come home and binge on food late at night, losing weight won’t work.
We address the underlying behaviours that lead to weight gain and body image concerns. We address the root psychological cause of emotional eating using scientific models of psychology that respect you as a whole person, and much more than just your weight and shape.
Edmonton Body Acceptance Counselling
Body Acceptance Therapy Cost
Most health and wellness plans offered by your employer may cover the services offered by a Registered Psychologist. Contact your insurance company for more details.
COVID-19 SUPPORT
We are here to support you and your family during these challenging times by offering secure online therapy and counselling options in Edmonton. Our telehealth feature uses secure infrastructure where all data is encrypted and fully compliant with the College of Alberta Psychologists’ Practice Guidelines.