Eating Disorder Therapy for Children and Teens | Calgary Psychologists | Creative Sky Psychology
As a parent, watching your child or teen struggle with an eating disorder can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. You may feel unsure of what to say, how to help, or where to turn next. These moments can bring fear, confusion, and deep concern for your child’s well-being.
At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we understand the complex emotions families face when navigating eating disorders. Healing from these conditions requires more than treatment — it requires understanding, compassion, and support for both the child and their family. Our psychologists offer specialized eating disorder therapy designed to promote recovery, self-compassion, and long-term well-being.
Understanding Eating Disorders in Children and Teens
Eating disorders are serious, multifaceted mental health conditions that affect both the body and mind. For children and teens, they can impact everything from mood and concentration to relationships and daily life.
Common types of eating disorders include:
Anorexia Nervosa: Restricting food intake or exercising excessively due to fear of gaining weight.
Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or overexercising.
Binge-Eating Disorder: Periods of overeating accompanied by feelings of loss of control and guilt.
These conditions often coexist with anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which can make recovery feel even more complex. Early intervention is key. The sooner therapy begins, the higher the chances for recovery and long-term health.
Contributing factors can include:
Societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards
Traumatic or stressful experiences
Perfectionism and low self-esteem
Family history or genetic influences
Personality traits such as sensitivity or high empathy
Eating disorders are not just about food or weight — they’re about underlying emotional pain, stress, or the need for control in overwhelming situations.
Our Evidence-Based Approach
At Creative Sky Psychology, we provide individualized treatment that meets each child or teen where they are. Our goal is to help them rebuild a healthy relationship with food, their body, and themselves.
We integrate a variety of evidence-based therapies that target both emotional and behavioral aspects of eating disorders:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps children identify unhelpful thought patterns and build healthier coping strategies.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Teaches emotional regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages acceptance of difficult emotions and helps teens focus on living according to their values.
Positive Psychology: Builds resilience by highlighting strengths, gratitude, and self-worth.
These therapies work together to help children shift from self-criticism to self-compassion and find new ways to cope with life’s challenges.
Health at Every Size and Intuitive Eating
We embrace the Health at Every Size (HAES®) philosophy, which emphasizes that well-being and self-worth are not defined by weight or appearance. Instead of focusing on restriction or control, therapy helps teens reconnect with their body’s natural cues — hunger, fullness, and emotional needs.
Through intuitive eating principles, we guide teens to:
Reconnect with internal hunger and fullness cues
Build a positive relationship with food
Reduce guilt and anxiety around eating
Develop body confidence and respect
This approach encourages sustainable, lifelong wellness rather than temporary behavior changes. It’s about helping teens understand that their bodies are not the enemy — they are powerful, deserving of care, and capable of healing.
Embodiment and Holistic Care
Recovery from an eating disorder is not just about eating habits — it’s about healing the relationship between the body, mind, and self.
At Creative Sky Psychology, our therapy emphasizes embodiment, helping children tune back into their physical sensations, emotions, and inner experiences. This helps them rebuild trust in their bodies and recognize early signs of distress before unhealthy coping patterns emerge. Our holistic care may include mindfulness, self-compassion practices, and sensory-based techniques. Each session is adapted to your child’s age, needs, and comfort level — creating a safe space for honest reflection and growth.
Family Involvement in Recovery
Healing from an eating disorder requires the involvement of the whole family. Parents and caregivers are essential to creating a home environment that promotes recovery, stability, and trust.
We partner with families to:
Provide education about eating disorders and recovery
Develop tools for healthy communication
Create structured routines that support balanced eating
Reduce conflict and tension around meals
Strengthen connection and emotional safety at home
Family therapy sessions allow everyone to share experiences, address fears, and learn strategies to support one another. When children feel seen and supported, they are better able to engage in treatment and rebuild confidence.
Common Myths About Eating Disorders
Many misconceptions about eating disorders can create stigma and misunderstanding.
Let’s clear some up:
Myth: Eating disorders are a choice.
Fact: They are complex mental health conditions with biological, psychological, and social causes.
Myth: Only girls develop eating disorders.
Fact: Eating disorders affect individuals of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.
Myth: You can always “see” an eating disorder.
Fact: Many individuals with eating disorders appear healthy. Symptoms are not always visible.
Myth: Recovery is only about eating.
Fact: Recovery also means healing emotions, rebuilding self-esteem, and restoring balance to the body and mind.
By dispelling these myths, we can replace shame with understanding — and isolation with community.
How Parents Can Support Recovery at Home
While therapy is a vital part of healing, daily life plays a big role in reinforcing progress.
Parents can support recovery by:
Encouraging open, nonjudgmental conversations about emotions and stress
Avoiding diet talk or weight-based comments at home
Modeling balanced eating and body acceptance
Practicing patience — recovery takes time, and setbacks are part of the process
Celebrating effort, not perfection
If you ever feel uncertain about how to respond to your child’s struggles, reach out to their therapist for guidance. You don’t have to do this alone — we’re here to walk beside you.
Final Thoughts
Supporting a child or teen with an eating disorder is one of the hardest and most courageous journeys a parent can face. It’s okay to feel scared, unsure, or even helpless at times. Healing takes time — but with compassion, consistent care, and the right support, recovery is entirely possible.
At Creative Sky Psychology in Calgary, we specialize in eating disorder therapy for children and teens using evidence-based, strength-focused, and family-centered approaches. Our compassionate team helps young people build resilience, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of peace with their bodies.
You and your child don’t have to face this journey alone. Together, we can take the next step toward healing, hope, and a healthier future.
📍 Visit us: #5, 2005 37 Street SW, Calgary, AB T3E 3A5
📞 Call: 587-331-4464 ext. 1
✉️ Email: info@creativeskypsychology.com
🌐 Book online today to help your child thrive. 👋 Meet our team
Looking for therapy for older teens, post-secondary students, or adults? Visit our sister clinic, NU Psychology in Calgary, where mental health support is available at every stage of life.
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Signs may include drastic changes in weight, frequent dieting, preoccupation with food or body image, withdrawal from friends and activities, or rigid eating patterns. If you notice these, seek support from a Calgary psychologist experienced in eating disorders.
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Yes. While recovery is a process, eating disorder therapy helps children and teens build healthier coping strategies, improve self-esteem, and heal their relationship with food. Ongoing support often plays a role in long-term success.
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Stay patient, provide unconditional emotional support, and encourage professional treatment. Educating yourself about eating disorders and maintaining open communication are also key. In Calgary, family-based therapy can give parents tools to help their child thrive.
