Calgary Eating Disorder Program
Introduction

The Calgary Eating Disorder Program is part of the Calgary Zone and a member of the Southern Alberta Eating Disorder Network.  The program provides specialized services to meet the needs of Albertan’s, of all ages, a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or an eating disorder not otherwise specified.  A continuum of care spanning from promotion and prevention to early intervention, and treatment options are offered.  A referral from a community family physician is required to access treatment.

Philosophy

The Eating Disorder Program uses a multimodal, interdisciplinary team approach to provide services across the continuum of care.

This interdisciplinary team includes: therapists, nurses, dietitians, recreation therapists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and physicians. 

We believe it is imperative to work collaboratively as a team and include the patient and family in this process.  In this respect, we strive to have the patient and family in control of their own treatment and give choices and options, within the boundaries of responsible care.

We utilize a bio-psycho-social approach to treatment including all necessary team members to meet the needs of the patient and family.  Each patient will work with a multidisciplinary team that could include members of the program staff, other hospital staff and community resources as appropriate.

We respect the vast difference between people and situations and work with each patient at their stage of change, responding to their evolving needs.  We believe in continuous learning and striving to improve services through evaluation and research, as well as promoting ongoing learning and education around best practices in the field.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Calgary Eating Disorder Program is to provide leadership and excellence in the areas of promotion, prevention, early intervention, consultation and treatment of eating disorders.  This includes the provision of education/teaching, outreach, clinical services, consultation and research.  We believe in an interdisciplinary team approach that is client and family centered and based on the core principles of respect, collaboration, open communication, professional excellence and responsible caring.  It is our goal to provide a safe, comfortable, nurturing environment to enhance emotional, psychological and interpersonal development and support and promote wellness.  Our overarching approach to treatment is based on motivational enhancement and readiness for change principles.  We use the modalities of individual, family and group therapy to provide both psycho-education and psychotherapy.