Eating Disorders Therapists in Ottawa, ON
In addition to working in private practice, I have experience in hospital psychology and psychiatry departments as well as in specialized eating disorder, stress management, and perinatal programs.
I work collaboratively with clients, drawing largely from cognitive behaviour therapy while integrating other modalities such as mindfulness and self-compassion techniques, emotionally focused therapy, insight-oriented therapy, and EMDR.
In addition to working in private practice, I have experience in hospital psychology and psychiatry departments as well as in specialized eating disorder, stress management, and perinatal programs.
I work collaboratively with clients, drawing largely from cognitive behaviour therapy while integrating other modalities such as mindfulness and self-compassion techniques, emotionally focused therapy, insight-oriented therapy, and EMDR.
I recognize the inherent beauty in each individual's uniqueness and believe it is essential to honour it. My practice places great value on the concept of parts work, where we all parts of us are acknowledged and integrated, even the parts we have disowned or rejected. I approach each client and their parts with a curious lens, meeting them where they are. My aim is to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows one to feel comfortable being their authentic self. I firmly believe that living a life aligned with one's values can bring a sense of purpose and meaning, and I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve this.
I recognize the inherent beauty in each individual's uniqueness and believe it is essential to honour it. My practice places great value on the concept of parts work, where we all parts of us are acknowledged and integrated, even the parts we have disowned or rejected. I approach each client and their parts with a curious lens, meeting them where they are. My aim is to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows one to feel comfortable being their authentic self. I firmly believe that living a life aligned with one's values can bring a sense of purpose and meaning, and I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve this.
For over 10 years I have specialized in treating problematic substance use and eating disorders.
My goal is to first ensure you are not suffering alone. Next is to build towards manageability, improved quality of life, meaningful connections, and purpose. Together we will improve upon your skills of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness while dismantling unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.
For over 10 years I have specialized in treating problematic substance use and eating disorders.
My goal is to first ensure you are not suffering alone. Next is to build towards manageability, improved quality of life, meaningful connections, and purpose. Together we will improve upon your skills of emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness while dismantling unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.
Massey joined the Firestone CBT Clinic to pursue his interest in treating adults and adolescents with anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., trichotillomania and excoriation disorder).
Dr. Massey’s approach to therapy is cognitive-behavioral. Believing that the change process should be collaborative, Dr. Massey works with clients to develop mutually agreed upon achievable goals for therapy.
Massey joined the Firestone CBT Clinic to pursue his interest in treating adults and adolescents with anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., trichotillomania and excoriation disorder).
Dr. Massey’s approach to therapy is cognitive-behavioral. Believing that the change process should be collaborative, Dr. Massey works with clients to develop mutually agreed upon achievable goals for therapy.
My areas of specialization and expertise include: Childhood and Developmental Trauma Recovery, Depression, Anxiety, Self-development and Spirituality, Psychedelic Preparation and Integration, Eating Disorders, Perinatal Mental Health (e.g. postpartum depression/anxiety, birth trauma, infertility), and parenting young and older/adult children.
Individual psychotherapy services are offered nation-wide by secure video. Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy is offered in the Ottawa area. My way of working is holistic, integrative and trauma-focused. Clinical Supervision, Professional Consultation, and custom education for clinicians is also available.
My areas of specialization and expertise include: Childhood and Developmental Trauma Recovery, Depression, Anxiety, Self-development and Spirituality, Psychedelic Preparation and Integration, Eating Disorders, Perinatal Mental Health (e.g. postpartum depression/anxiety, birth trauma, infertility), and parenting young and older/adult children.
Individual psychotherapy services are offered nation-wide by secure video. Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy is offered in the Ottawa area. My way of working is holistic, integrative and trauma-focused. Clinical Supervision, Professional Consultation, and custom education for clinicians is also available.
My area of interest are: supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ folks, grief and loss, identity and life transitions, sexuality and gender Identity, anxiety and depression, neurodiversity affirming approaches, weight-Inclusive/anti-diet approaches, and treating eating disorders.
I believe that therapy can be a healing experience as you navigate life and an opportunity to discover and honour your true self and your values. I will strive to hold space for and centre your lived experience, values and strengths and work collaboratively with you from a place of curiosity and compassion.
My area of interest are: supporting 2S-LGBTQIA+ folks, grief and loss, identity and life transitions, sexuality and gender Identity, anxiety and depression, neurodiversity affirming approaches, weight-Inclusive/anti-diet approaches, and treating eating disorders.
I believe that therapy can be a healing experience as you navigate life and an opportunity to discover and honour your true self and your values. I will strive to hold space for and centre your lived experience, values and strengths and work collaboratively with you from a place of curiosity and compassion.
I have worked with clients seeking services to help with binge-eating, bulimia nervosa, disordered eating, and body image, anxiety and panic, depression, grief and loss, as well as, PTSD and complex trauma.
As a Registered Psychotherapist, I strive to build a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe to start your therapeutic journey. As a humanistic and person-centred psychotherapist my stance is rooted in the belief that humans are inherently healthy and aspire to learn and grow. Sometimes, we can get off course, whether as a result of a traumatic event, early neglect or mistreatment, or other stressful life events. I strive to help you access inner resources so that once overwhelming emotions can become a valuable source of guidance for your goals, needs, and values.
I have worked with clients seeking services to help with binge-eating, bulimia nervosa, disordered eating, and body image, anxiety and panic, depression, grief and loss, as well as, PTSD and complex trauma.
As a Registered Psychotherapist, I strive to build a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can feel safe to start your therapeutic journey. As a humanistic and person-centred psychotherapist my stance is rooted in the belief that humans are inherently healthy and aspire to learn and grow. Sometimes, we can get off course, whether as a result of a traumatic event, early neglect or mistreatment, or other stressful life events. I strive to help you access inner resources so that once overwhelming emotions can become a valuable source of guidance for your goals, needs, and values.
Feeling anxious, caught in the cycle of people-pleasing or struggling with an eating disorder?
Drawing on Internal Family Systems and Somatic Therapy, we will navigate the complexities of your experience. We will get to know your emotions via sensations in the body, understand conflicting parts, and pave the way for deeper insight, self-compassion and improved relationships. Cultivating inner safety will help you trust yourself in this evolving world.
Feeling anxious, caught in the cycle of people-pleasing or struggling with an eating disorder?
Drawing on Internal Family Systems and Somatic Therapy, we will navigate the complexities of your experience. We will get to know your emotions via sensations in the body, understand conflicting parts, and pave the way for deeper insight, self-compassion and improved relationships. Cultivating inner safety will help you trust yourself in this evolving world.
As a therapist, I offer gentle support to help you navigate neurodivergence, LGTBQ+ identities, and eating disorders (including ARFID).
About me: I am bi/queer, genderqueer, and neurodivergent. My values align strongly with social justice, liberatory and progressive ideals. My therapeutic approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and harm reduction. I strive to be gender and sexuality affirming, anti-racist, neurodiversity-affirming, and weight-inclusive.
As a therapist, I offer gentle support to help you navigate neurodivergence, LGTBQ+ identities, and eating disorders (including ARFID).
About me: I am bi/queer, genderqueer, and neurodivergent. My values align strongly with social justice, liberatory and progressive ideals. My therapeutic approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and harm reduction. I strive to be gender and sexuality affirming, anti-racist, neurodiversity-affirming, and weight-inclusive.
Joelle Ciccarelli
Registered Psychotherapist, Bsc, MA
7 Endorsed
Ottawa, ON K2G
Waitlist for new clients
I support folks with eating disorders, body image, relationship challenges, developmental trauma/family of origin issues, identity challenges/self-esteem, and ADHD.
I employ a variety of approaches and work predominately from Emotion-focused, Attachment-based, Somatic and trauma-informed approaches. I strive to be neurodiversity affirming, gender/sexuality affirming and weight-inclusive.
I support folks with eating disorders, body image, relationship challenges, developmental trauma/family of origin issues, identity challenges/self-esteem, and ADHD.
I employ a variety of approaches and work predominately from Emotion-focused, Attachment-based, Somatic and trauma-informed approaches. I strive to be neurodiversity affirming, gender/sexuality affirming and weight-inclusive.
I specialize in supporting youth, adults and families living with an eating disorder ( Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and Orthorexia).
Are you someone who struggles with your relationship with food? You may feel out of control and stuck. Do you have intense cravings that feel impossible to stop? Do you experience shame and critical thoughts about yourself after eating? Having a complicated relationship with food can be so challenging to deal with because food is all around us socially and something we need to have daily. I am here to help. Together we will work to bring compassion to the parts that feel shame and guilt around eating.
I specialize in supporting youth, adults and families living with an eating disorder ( Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and Orthorexia).
Are you someone who struggles with your relationship with food? You may feel out of control and stuck. Do you have intense cravings that feel impossible to stop? Do you experience shame and critical thoughts about yourself after eating? Having a complicated relationship with food can be so challenging to deal with because food is all around us socially and something we need to have daily. I am here to help. Together we will work to bring compassion to the parts that feel shame and guilt around eating.
I have a particular passion for working with trauma, eating disorders, body image concerns, relational wounds, and major life transitions.
Maybe you’ve spent years being the strong one. The one who keeps going, keeps showing up, keeps taking care of everyone else. From the outside, your life may look functional, even successful, but inside, you’re exhausted. Perhaps you’re carrying anxiety, grief, shame, relationship struggles, trauma, or a complicated relationship with food and your body. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, stuck in old patterns, or like you’re constantly fighting battles that nobody else can see. The strategies that no longer serve you make sense, but maybe it's time to release holding it all together.
I have a particular passion for working with trauma, eating disorders, body image concerns, relational wounds, and major life transitions.
Maybe you’ve spent years being the strong one. The one who keeps going, keeps showing up, keeps taking care of everyone else. From the outside, your life may look functional, even successful, but inside, you’re exhausted. Perhaps you’re carrying anxiety, grief, shame, relationship struggles, trauma, or a complicated relationship with food and your body. Maybe you feel disconnected from yourself, stuck in old patterns, or like you’re constantly fighting battles that nobody else can see. The strategies that no longer serve you make sense, but maybe it's time to release holding it all together.
I provide services in English for individual therapy, specializing in treating eating disorders, adult ADHD, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, and panic disorder.
I aim to help my clients find their strength and resilience through a flexible and collaborative approach to therapy. I value the perspectives and knowledge that arise when working collaboratively and aim to empower my clients to develop their own toolbox of strategies and skills.
I provide services in English for individual therapy, specializing in treating eating disorders, adult ADHD, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, and panic disorder.
I aim to help my clients find their strength and resilience through a flexible and collaborative approach to therapy. I value the perspectives and knowledge that arise when working collaboratively and aim to empower my clients to develop their own toolbox of strategies and skills.
Beginning therapy is a courageous step in your healing journey. Your mental wellness and your connection to self is essential and deserves time and space. I recognize the healing process as unique to each individual and I intend to meet each client where they are, to learn about their needs and goals, and how I can best support them. My hope is to offer a safe therapeutic space that is grounded in empathy, non-judgement, and curiosity to support each client’s capacity to authentically explore and process their experiences. I am committed to maintaining a trusting relationship built upon mutual respect, transparency, and integrity.
Beginning therapy is a courageous step in your healing journey. Your mental wellness and your connection to self is essential and deserves time and space. I recognize the healing process as unique to each individual and I intend to meet each client where they are, to learn about their needs and goals, and how I can best support them. My hope is to offer a safe therapeutic space that is grounded in empathy, non-judgement, and curiosity to support each client’s capacity to authentically explore and process their experiences. I am committed to maintaining a trusting relationship built upon mutual respect, transparency, and integrity.
I support people navigating disordered eating, eating disorders, chronic dieting, anti-fat bias, and body image distress.
My work is rooted in compassion, and I lead with curiosity, genuineness, and trust in your lived experiences. I strive to be gender and sexuality affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, anti-oppressive and weight-inclusive.
My approach to therapy is drawn from humanistic, person-centered, non-pathologizing approaches through a social justice lens.
I support people navigating disordered eating, eating disorders, chronic dieting, anti-fat bias, and body image distress.
My work is rooted in compassion, and I lead with curiosity, genuineness, and trust in your lived experiences. I strive to be gender and sexuality affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, anti-oppressive and weight-inclusive.
My approach to therapy is drawn from humanistic, person-centered, non-pathologizing approaches through a social justice lens.
I have over 13 years of experience in mental health supporting my clients in overcoming eating disorders, improving mood and anxiety and to strengthen relationships with self and others.
I see therapy as an opportunity to increase your self-awareness, understand the impact of the challenges that you’ve experienced, and figure out how to heal and cope with life in safe and supportive ways. My approach to therapy should feel inspiring, encouraging, challenging and safe.
I have over 13 years of experience in mental health supporting my clients in overcoming eating disorders, improving mood and anxiety and to strengthen relationships with self and others.
I see therapy as an opportunity to increase your self-awareness, understand the impact of the challenges that you’ve experienced, and figure out how to heal and cope with life in safe and supportive ways. My approach to therapy should feel inspiring, encouraging, challenging and safe.
I support individuals navigating a range of food and body related concerns, including eating disorders, disordered eating, feeling out of control around food, body image struggles, and self-criticism.
I also support clients navigating anxiety, depression, chronic pain, life transitions, and relationship challenges. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful change, and I welcome you to show up exactly as you are. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, and supported as we work together toward the life you want to live.
I support individuals navigating a range of food and body related concerns, including eating disorders, disordered eating, feeling out of control around food, body image struggles, and self-criticism.
I also support clients navigating anxiety, depression, chronic pain, life transitions, and relationship challenges. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful change, and I welcome you to show up exactly as you are. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, and supported as we work together toward the life you want to live.
Accepting new clients at clinic! Being in a culture that asks you to shrink yourself, your needs, and your beliefs can be tiresome. This may be impacting how you experience your mood, body, food, relationships or the spaces you occupy. There may be ways that you protect the more tender parts of you that get in the way of being more in line with your values, and finally having the relationship with yourself and others that you have always wanted. You might be feeling overwhelmed by changes you need to make and simply don't know where to begin. You deserve to live a rich, expansive life, and to have deep, meaningful connections.
Accepting new clients at clinic! Being in a culture that asks you to shrink yourself, your needs, and your beliefs can be tiresome. This may be impacting how you experience your mood, body, food, relationships or the spaces you occupy. There may be ways that you protect the more tender parts of you that get in the way of being more in line with your values, and finally having the relationship with yourself and others that you have always wanted. You might be feeling overwhelmed by changes you need to make and simply don't know where to begin. You deserve to live a rich, expansive life, and to have deep, meaningful connections.
Massey joined the Firestone CBT Clinic to pursue her passion in providing couples therapy and treatment for disordered eating/body image concerns.
In addition to spending several years treating eating disorders in private practice at the Centre for Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Massey served as a Senior Psychologist/ Eating Disorders Coordinator for Johns Hopkins University's Counselling Center and also worked for The Renfrew Center, the first residential treatment facility for eating disorders in the USA.
Massey joined the Firestone CBT Clinic to pursue her passion in providing couples therapy and treatment for disordered eating/body image concerns.
In addition to spending several years treating eating disorders in private practice at the Centre for Cognitive Therapy, Dr. Massey served as a Senior Psychologist/ Eating Disorders Coordinator for Johns Hopkins University's Counselling Center and also worked for The Renfrew Center, the first residential treatment facility for eating disorders in the USA.
I support adults with eating issues, disordered eating, and eating disorders, such as ARFID, to feel safer, less anxious and more confident with food and their bodies.
During therapy, we will take time to understand your experiences with food, emotions, and self-worth. My approach blends different therapy approaches like, CBT, ACT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy to help you build awareness, reduce self-criticism, and develop tools that make eating, coping, and daily life feel more manageable and grounded.
I support adults with eating issues, disordered eating, and eating disorders, such as ARFID, to feel safer, less anxious and more confident with food and their bodies.
During therapy, we will take time to understand your experiences with food, emotions, and self-worth. My approach blends different therapy approaches like, CBT, ACT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy to help you build awareness, reduce self-criticism, and develop tools that make eating, coping, and daily life feel more manageable and grounded.
See more therapy options for Ottawa
Nearby Eating Disorders Counsellors Searches for Ottawa
- Almonte
- Arnprior
- Carleton Place
- Gloucester
- Kanata
- Kemptville
- Manotick
- Nepean
- Orleans
- Rockland
- Smiths Falls
- Stittsville
Eating Disorders Counsellors
What happens in therapy for eating disorders?
In therapy for eating disorders, patients typically describe their eating and exercise behaviors, their patterns of eating in relation to stress, their beliefs about their body, the ways their eating behavior affects their relationships, and their desire (or lack of it) to change. Such information helps the therapist understand the origins of the disorder and the role it plays in the patient’s life, important for guiding treatment. Attitudes and feelings about food and eating, body weight, and physical appearance are common topics of discussion throughout treatment.
What therapy types help with eating disorders?
Once any acute medical or psychiatric emergency is resolved, psychoactive medication is often prescribed, requiring the supervision of a psychiatrist. In addition, patients receive some form of nutritional counseling along with one or more forms of psychotherapy. For adolescents, family-based treatment is empirically validated and considered the first line of treatment; parents and their children meet weekly with a clinician as the adults are coached on how to nourish and psychologically support the young patient. Adults typically receive some form of individual psychotherapy, intended to resolve the cognitive and behavioral disturbances that underlie the disorder and to relieve the mood disturbances that accompany it. In addition, patients may also be helped by group therapy.
What is the goal of therapy for eating disorders?
The most immediate goal of treatment for eating disorders is to save the life of people who are on a path of starving themselves to death or engaging in eating patterns that are doing irreparable physical harm to their body. Once the acute medical danger is past, therapy is required to understand the nature of the disordered eating and/or exercise patterns, establish healthy eating behavior, and to tackle the many erroneous beliefs and distorted self-perceptions that underlie eating disorders and continue to pose a threat to health and life. Therapy also addresses the impaired mood that not only accompanies eating disorders but intensifies the danger to health and life.
What are the limitations of therapy for eating disorders?
Therapy can be very helpful for eating disorders—but that can happen only after people recognize they have a condition that must be treated. Especially with anorexia, the distortions in self-image that accompany the disorder can keep people from acknowledging they have a problem. Individuals may in fact see their eating disorder as a badge of self-control. Those with binge-eating disorder may feel too ashamed to seek help. Therapy cannot help those who do not avail themselves of it.
How long does therapy last for eating disorders?
Because of their complexity, recovery from eating disorders is usually a long-term process—measured in months and years— often marked by setbacks and relapse. Some form of help, such as individual or group therapy, may be advisable for much of that time. It is a general rule of thumb that the longer the illness has endured and the dysregulated eating behavior has taken root, the longer treatment is likely to be needed.