The Adult Eating Disorders Service (AEDS) is a community based program provided by London Health Sciences Centre and Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addictions and Mental Health (CMHATVAMHS) Thames Valley Homepage - CMHA Thames Valley | Addiction and Mental Health Services (cmhatv.ca) This service has been developed to meet the needs of adults who require treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified. We offer a wide range of programming which reflects the diversity of our clients’ needs. While our main focus is excellence in patient care, we also highly value the role of education and research for all disciplines. This committed team provides evidence based, compassionate care in partnership with other programs at LHSC and the community.
The team includes:
- Addiction and Mental Health Workers
- Administrative Staff
- Clinical Dietitians
- Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Registered Nurse
- Social Workers
Outpatient Services
For many individuals with eating disorders, outpatient treatment is an accessible and effective form of treatment on its own that does not require individuals to attend more intensive services. Our outpatient services focus on providing treatment to individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID, and otherwise specified feeding or eating disorders.
Outpatient CBT-E:
This service involves meeting with a clinician individually once a week for approximately 20 sessions. The factors that keep an eating disorder going will be determined and then a treatment plan is created to systematically target these factors. Over the course of treatment patients work on normalizing their eating, enhancing their ability to cope with their emotions, addressing body image concerns, and targeting specific problematic behaviours.
Assessments
Assessment Process:
Upon receipt of a physician’s referral to our service, individuals will be contacted to schedule an initial assessment. Once the assessment has been completed, the clinical team will make recommendations and collaborate with you to develop a plan of care.
What to Expect During and Following Assessment:
- All assessments are completed by a clinician and are approx. 2.0 hours in length. Assessment will include a review of presenting problem(s), medical status, substance use, mood symptoms, anxiety symptoms, trauma, family and general functioning history.
- At the end of the assessment treatment options and recommendations will be discussed with you.
- Medical monitoring is provided by your current primary care professional.
- As this service is voluntary in nature, at any point you may decline further care with the option of re-engaging in services after 1 year.
Day Treatment Services (Virtual)
Day Treatment Service (DTS):
The virtual DTS involves individual and group based treatment for those who are experiencing eating disorders. The DTS can be accessed by residents of Ontario who are prepared to reside in the London area during treatment.
Those attending the DTS work with a multidisciplinary team and participate in programming that follows a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach. The aim of treatment is to normalize eating, reduce and stop eating disorder related behaviours, facilitate weight restoration (as needed), and to improve participants’ quality of life.
Costs:
We are an OHIP funded service, which means treatment services are at no cost to you.
Eating Disorder Residence
Eating Disorder Residence (ED Res):
The Adult Eating Disorder Service is in a partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to provide residential treatment.
The ED Res provides 24-hour care to individuals attending the Day Treatment Service (DTS). The ED Res collaborates with the DTS team to support patients with their therapeutic goals. Length of stay in the residence is determined in collaboration with the patient and the DTS team and is typically 4 weeks in length.
The residence is in a community based location and can accommodate up to 8 residents.
What to Expect:
With the assistance of the CMHA Mental Health Workers, residents of the ED Res are responsible for fulfilling expectations related to community living while actively working on their personal treatment goals.
Upon admission, staff will orient the patient to the expectations of the residence.
Costs:
We are an OHIP funded service, however, personal hygiene items are not provided.
Support for Family
A Family Psychoeducation Day is offered approximately every 4 months for family and friends of people who have been assessed by our service. This day includes information on what eating disorders are, how they are treated, and how to best support your loved one.
Those who are active participants in any of our treatment options also have the opportunity to invite family or friends in for individualized education sessions as part of outpatient or intensive treatment.
