The Adult Eating Disorders Service (AEDS) is a community based program provided by London Health Sciences Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Middlesex. This service has been developed to meet the needs of adults who require treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feeding or eating disorders. We offer a wide range of programming that includes outpatient, day treatment, residential and relapse prevention services. 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 evidenced base, compassionate care in partnership with other programs at LHSC and the community.
The team includes:
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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. 2.5 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 2 months after discharge. After 6 months, a new referral would be required.
Day Treatment Services
Day Treatment Service (DTS):
The 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.
What to expect:
A typical day includes individual and group therapy with a staff supported lunch, snack, and dinner (the DTS schedule will be provided). Treatment is typically 8 to 12 weeks, followed by outpatient treatment. On non-program days, there is an expectation that the meal and activity plan developed with the team is followed and individual therapeutic goals are pursued (nutritional therapy guidelines and menu expectations will be provided). The DTS weekly program hours are listed below. A more detailed schedule will be provided at orientation.
Day Treatment Weekly Schedule:
Monday 10:30am-6:30pm
Tuesday 11:00am-6:30pm
Wednesday 11:30am-6:30pm
Thursday 11:30am-6:30pm
Friday 11:30am-4:30pm
Costs:
We are an OHIP funded service, which means treatment services are at no cost to you. Part of DTS programming involves social food outings once a month. Patients cover the cost of their own meals which will be approximately $25-30 a month. If you identify this as a potential barrier, please speak with one of our team members.
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. There may also be some added costs for social outings. Accommodations can be made if necessary.
Relapse Prevention Services
All of our treatments focus on relapse prevention and are part of the complete treatment offered. Risk factors for relapse are determined and individualized plans are developed to reduce the risk of relapse and deal with any set-backs that occur.
For those who have completed an intensive service elsewhere and the treatment did not include an outpatient relapse prevention component, there may be an option to transfer to our outpatient CBT-E treatment (described above). Treatment teams are encouraged to seek a referral 6 weeks before the anticipated date of completion.
Support for Family
A Family Psychoeducation Day is offered approximately every 3 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.
