Eating Disorders

The Regional Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders (EDP) – Community Based

Brief Description/Purpose

The Eating Disorders Program of The Ottawa Hospital serves the needs of adult patients in the Ottawa-Carleton region and Eastern Ontario, who is struggling with serious eating disorders that include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and other specified feeding and eating disorders. Please note that we currently do not serve those with binge eating disorder. Comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment is provided. Therapy is offered both individually and in group format. The program operates 4-6 inpatient beds for individuals with severe eating disorders who are at a high risk of being medically compromised. A day treatment program and outpatient treatment program are offered via virtual access to serve individuals out of hospital. Patients are strongly encouraged to take time away from their typical activities of work, school, etc., to fully participate in programming. Programming runs Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and patients need to make themselves available during these hours to receive care. Patients participating in the outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group are only required to attend sessions a few hours per week.

For more information, consult the Guide: Regional Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders.

How to Obtain Referral/Access Service

We continue to require that all referrals are made by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner. Please complete the referral form below and fax it to our clinic at 613-737-8652.

Please Note: We require that all patients referred continue to be followed by the referring provider and that medical monitoring is continued by referring practitioner, as per our guidelines.

Program Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria	Exclusion Criteria
Age of at least 18 years Patient agrees to referral Moderate to severe eating disorders that otherwise cannot be sufficiently treated in the community

Please Note: 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.

Downloadable Resources

We encourage you to consult the resources below while you’re on the waitlist for our program and throughout your recovery journey. Share and review them with a counselor/psychotherapist in the community, a physician, your personal support system, and review them on your 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.

Education

Skill-Building

Motivation

Contact Information

The Ottawa Hospital
General Campus,
4th Floor, 501 Smyth Road,
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6

Tel (General Inquiries and Administration): 613-737-8885
Fax: 613-737-8652

Additional Links

Regional Centre for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Last updated on: April 2nd, 2025

toh