Eating Disorders Services

Provincial Eating Disorders Prevention & Recovery Program

We offer services for women and men ages 16 and older who experience disordered eating or eating disorders, including compulsive or binge eating.

Services include: 

  • eating disorder assessment and treatment
  • consultations to Manitoba service providers
  • referral information for eating disorder services
  • workshops about body image, emotional eating, health, self-esteem and other topics

You can self refer to our services. We currently have a wait list of over 1 year for treatment services.  Please call the program assistant at 204-947-2422, ext. 137 (in Winnipeg) or toll-free 1-866-947-1517, ext. 137 (If you are outside of Winnipeg) to put your name on the wait list or to learn about other resources you can access while waiting for treatment.   You can also download our program booklet here.

Treatment groups address such topics as:

  • understanding eating disorders
  • readiness for change
  • body image
  • coping strategies
  • emotions
  • self-esteem
  • mindful eating

Treatment groups include the following therapies:

  • psycho-educational
  • cognitive behavioural
  • dialectical behavioural
  • feminist
  • expressive art & movement

For an intake appointment or more information about our services, please contact us:

In Winnipeg, call: 204-947-2422, ext. 137

Outside of Winnipeg, call toll-free: 1-866-947-1517, ext. 137

Email: edprogram@womenshealthclinic.org

2013 WORKSHOPS 

We offer workshops for women and men ages 16 and older who are concerned about weight, body image, and self-esteem.   All workshops are free and open to clients, community members, families and service providers.

If you would like to receive workshop updates by email, you can sign up for our workshop mailing list here.

Spring & Summer 2013 workshops  [PDF 142 KB]

Please note: Some people have severe reactions to scented products. Thank you for not wearing perfume and reducing other scents while at the clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an eating disorder or disordered eating?

The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Do you:

  • spend most of your day thinking about food and your body?
  • make excuses to avoid eating?
  • feel guilty or ashamed for eating?
  • eat in secret?
  • avoid meals, restrict certain foods or not eat, even when you are hungry?
  • purge food after eating (over-exercise, vomit, use laxatives)?
  • eat large amounts of food in a short period of time?
  • feel out of control when eating?
  • feel that life will only be good if you achieve an ideal weight?
  • feel you need to be perfect all the time?

If you experience any combination of these behaviours, thoughts and feelings:

  • talk about your concerns with someone you trust.
  • contact a mental health professional who can provide information, resources and support.

Do people recover from an eating disorder?

  • Yes, recovery is possible, no matter what your age or gender.
  • Recovery takes time.
  • Treatment varies from person to person, depending on their specific needs.

Some people think I need help, but I don't think so.

  • If someone you know is concerned about you, they may be seeing behaviours or changes that you don't.
  • It is important to explore this with a health care provider.

A message for families

What can I do to help someone with an eating disorder?

  • Learn about eating disorders and treatment options, and seek family supports.
  • Examine your own thoughts and feelings about disordered eating and weight.
  • Encourage your loved one to be assessed by a health care provider experienced in eating disorders.  For someone under 18, insist on it.
  • Understand that the person you are concerned about may be undecided about seeking treatment and afraid to change behaviours.
  • Consider getting support for yourself.  It is normal to experience a range of emotions like anger, guilt, fear and frustration when someone you care about has an eating disorder.

To learn more about how families can help, visit: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/mh/eatingdisorders/index.html

Eating Disorder Services for girls & boys under 16

For information about Child & Adolescent Eating Disorder Services at Health Sciences Centre, please contact:

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Centralized Intake Service at 204-958-9660

Female adolescents may also want to talk to a teen counsellor or see a health care provider at Women's Health Clinic's Teen Clinic.

Medical Resources for Practitioners Caring for Clients with Eating Disorders

The following information is intended for health care providers. It should not be used to diagnose or treat an eating disorder by yourself.

Eating Disorders: A Resource for Practitioners Providing Community-Based Care [196 KB]

Manitoba Health: Eating Disorders

National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence Guidelines: Eating Disorders

UpToDate: General Eating Disorder Information