Eating Disorder Support
Eating Disorder Therapy in Ottawa
Eating concerns can affect far more than mealtimes. Stradwick Clinic offers eating disorder therapy with Marco Fanara, Registered Psychotherapist, for children from age 7, teens and adults. Meet at our Nepean or Stittsville clinic, or ask about virtual sessions with Marco. Contact us to discuss whether this service fits your needs.
Understanding Eating Concerns
More Than Food
Eating disorders involve patterns around eating that can affect physical health, emotions, relationships and daily life. Difficulties may include restriction, binge eating, compensatory behaviours or distress about food and body image. Not every eating disorder involves concerns about weight or shape.
An eating disorder cannot be identified by appearance alone. People of different body sizes and backgrounds can experience serious eating concerns. You do not need to decide on a diagnostic label before contacting the clinic to ask about support.
Who This Service Is For
Ages 7 and Up
Marco works with a range of eating disorders. Contact the clinic with your concerns so that the fit of the service and any additional care needs can be considered.
Children and caregivers
From age 7, children and their caregivers can ask about eating disorder support. A child’s developmental stage and family circumstances matter when discussing an approach. Ask how caregivers may be involved; arrangements are not the same for every family.
Teens
Teens may be dealing with eating concerns alongside school, friendships and changes in independence. Therapy offers a place to discuss these experiences. Questions about privacy, caregiver involvement and what information may need to be shared can be raised before starting.
Adults
Adults can seek support for eating concerns whether they are recent or longstanding. You can talk about how these patterns affect work, relationships and everyday routines, and discuss what you would like to address.
Meet Marco Fanara
Registered Psychotherapist
Marco provides eating disorder therapy at Nepean and Stittsville and offers virtual sessions. He has completed more than 1,000 direct client hours working with clients experiencing eating disorders.
He holds a certificate in Family-Based Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa with The Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. He takes an integrative approach and aims to offer a non-judgmental space to discuss your concerns.
Read Marco’s profile to learn more about his background. Contact the office to ask about current appointment options.
An Approach Matched to Your Needs
Psychotherapy and Family-Based Treatment
Psychotherapy provides space to explore thoughts, feelings and behaviours connected with eating concerns. The approach should be discussed in relation to your age, concerns and other care needs rather than chosen from a general list of therapies.
Family-Based Treatment for anorexia nervosa is an eating-disorder-focused approach that involves parents or caregivers in supporting a young person. It differs from general family counselling. Marco holds a certificate in Family-Based Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa and can discuss whether this approach fits your situation.
Together, you can discuss an approach that fits your age, eating concerns and wider care needs, including what participation would involve and any additional support that may be helpful.
Beginning With a Conversation
What to Expect
When you contact the clinic, share the age of the person seeking care, the main eating concerns and whether in-person or virtual appointments are preferred. You can also mention existing medical or nutritional support so that questions about the fit of psychotherapy can be raised.
Early therapy conversations can focus on what has brought you in, how eating concerns affect daily life and what you hope to work on. Ask about the proposed approach, confidentiality and its limits, fees and caregiver participation where relevant.
The frequency and length of care depend on your needs and the proposed plan. Discuss these with Marco, along with how progress will be reviewed and whether other care is needed.
Medical and Nutritional Care Matter
Knowing the Limits of Therapy
Eating disorders can affect physical health. Psychotherapy does not replace medical assessment, medical monitoring or nutritional care. Your care may also involve a physician, dietitian or another appropriate provider.
If medical stability is a concern, seek assessment from a physician or another appropriate medical provider rather than waiting for a therapy appointment. Some people need a different level of care than outpatient psychotherapy. Virtual sessions do not remove the need for in-person medical assessment when indicated. In a medical emergency, seek emergency care.
Fees, Insurance and Locations
Planning Your Care
Fees and coverage
The regular psychotherapy rate is $190 per hour. If family participation or a different session format is being considered, confirm the applicable fee and appointment length with the clinic before booking.
Stradwick Clinic does not direct bill. You pay for sessions and receive receipts to submit to your insurer. Extended benefits may cover psychotherapy, but coverage depends on your plan and the provider’s designation. Check your eligible provider types, limits and reimbursement rules first. Coverage is not guaranteed.
In person or virtually with Marco
In-person appointments with Marco are offered at Nepean, 21 Concourse Gate, Unit 12, and Stittsville, 120 Iber Road, Suite 208. Marco also offers virtual sessions. Confirm the appropriate format and current options with the office before booking.
See our psychotherapy page for general service information, or contact the clinic with questions about appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Marco sees children from age 7, teens and adults. Contact the clinic to discuss the person’s age, concerns and whether this service is suitable.
You can contact the clinic without choosing a diagnosis yourself. Describe your concerns and ask about appropriate assessment and support. This page is not a diagnostic tool.
Marco works with a range of eating disorders. Discuss your concerns with the office and Marco rather than assuming that outpatient psychotherapy is the right level of care for every situation.
No. Family-Based Treatment for anorexia nervosa is focused on the eating disorder and involves parents or caregivers. Marco holds a certificate in this approach. Ask whether it is appropriate for your situation.
Yes, Marco offers virtual sessions as well as in-person care in Nepean and Stittsville. Discuss suitability before booking. Virtual psychotherapy is not a substitute for medical assessment or monitoring.
No. Psychotherapy addresses psychological concerns. Medical assessment, monitoring or nutritional care may also be needed through appropriate providers. If physical health or medical stability is a concern, seek medical assessment promptly.
The regular psychotherapy rate is $190 per hour. Confirm any different format or family-session fee before booking. We provide receipts but do not direct bill. Check psychotherapy coverage and provider eligibility with your insurer.
There is no set number for everyone. Discuss the approach, frequency and duration with Marco in relation to your needs and other care, and ask how progress will be reviewed.
Ask About Eating Disorder Therapy
Contact the clinic to discuss eating disorder support with Marco, or view booking options in Jane. Ask about service fit and any medical care needs before choosing an appointment.