Eating Disorder Program | Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions

The Nova Scotia Eating Disorder Provincial Service is a collaboration between Nova Scotia Health and the IWK. The goal of the service is to make sure that people and their loved ones can access evidence-based eating disorder care in their home community.

Who is the Nova Scotia Eating Disorder Provincial Service (NSEDPS) for?

The NSEDPS treats people of all ages who have an eating disorder (like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder and live in Nova Scotia.

Clinicians are available across the province through community Mental Health and Addictions Programs, virtual care, and specialty clinics. Click here to learn more about the provincial service.

What are eating disorders?

An eating disorder is an illness that causes changes in your behaviours, thoughts, and emotions related to food, weight, and exercise. It has both mental and physical symptoms.
Eating disorders affect people of all body sizes. Many people with eating disorders are not underweight.
When a person has an eating disorder, they have trouble choosing foods that will help them to live a good life. An eating disorder must be treated as soon as possible. Not having a good relationship with food and activity can cause serious medical problems.
An eating disorder is a serious, but it is a treatable illness.

Are you worried your relationship with food or exercise may be concerning, and wondering if you may need help? Click here to learn more: When should I be worried about my relationship with food and exercise?

Our services

Child and Adolescent

Are you worried about your child or adolescents eating and wondering where and when to get help? We are here to help you learn about warning signs and when you may be concerned - click here to learn more: Does my child have an eating disorder?

The most common outpatient treatment for child and adolescent eating disorders is Family Based Treatment - click here to learn more Family-based Treatment for Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents

When your child is struggling with their eating it can feel very overwhelming as a parent. Click here for information on how to support your child or adolescent with eating when they have an eating disorder. How to Support Your Child or Adolescent With Eating When They Have an Eating Disorder

Outpatient: Treatment for children and adolescents (teens) is available at Nova Scotia Health and IWK.
If a client lives in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), service is available through the IWK. Click here: Mental Health Support | IWK Health

If a client lives outside of HRM, service is available through NSH local mental health clinics. Click here: Child and Adolescent Services
Inpatient (IWK specific): Children and adolescents recover best in their community. The NSEDPS recommends outpatient treatment, if possible. Inpatient treatment may be needed if a client becomes unsafe medically, or if their symptoms are severe (very bad). If a client is admitted to the hospital, the main goal is to improve their physical health, or to lower how severe their symptoms are so they can receive treatment at home as an outpatient. Click here for IWK inpatient information: The Garron Centre for Child & Adolescent Mental Health (acute inpatient services) | IWK Health

Adults

Outpatient: Clinicians are available in your local area for in-person treatment. Some individual treatment is available online.

Community Mental Health and Addictions Services: The majority of individuals will receive outpatient individual or group therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) for their eating disorder.
10 week Day Program: If you need a different type of care, you may be referred to the Day Program. This program is located in Central Zone. Your treatment team will talk with you about this, if needed. If you live outside of Central Zone, accommodations will be provided at no cost to you. Click here for more information: Eating Disorders Program - Central Zone

Inpatient: The goal of inpatient treatment is to help you manage your eating disorder symptoms, help get your health back to normal, and get you to a healthy weight (if needed). Once you have completed the inpatient part of the program, we recommend continuing in an outpatient treatment program in your community until you have fully recovered. Click here for more information: Eating Disorder Inpatient Program. Inpatient treatment for people over the age of 17 is available at the Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building at the QEII.

How do I access the NSEDPS?

At Nova Scotia Health we take referrals from family doctors, nurse practitioners, pediatricians, dietitians or any mental health clinician. If you don't have a clinician who can complete a referral, you are welcome to call central intake to self-refer at 1-855-922-1122.

Once you have been referred, a staff member from Intake Services or from your local clinic will call you. Services are offered to meet each patient’s specific needs. Please note: Telehealth (video conferencing) is available.

Helpful Links:

Community resource:

Eating Disorders Nova Scotia

Helpful information:

Children & Adolescent:

Recommended reading:

Caregiver books (Child & Adolescent)

Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder by James Lock, MD, PhD & Daniel le Grange, PhD
When Your Teen Has an Eating Disorder: Practical Strategies to Help Your Teen Recover from Anorexia, Bulimia & Binge Eating by Lauren Muhlheim, PsyD.

Clinician resources:

School staff resource for early detection and support:

Available in English and French.

Accessing this Service

Click here if you are unsure which NSHA Zone you live in.