Eating Disorder Therapy in Toronto, Rooted in Lived Experience
We understand the exhausting cycle of an eating disorder because we have lived it. Break free with our targeted 10-12 session therapy plans.
Free 30 min discovery call to safely explore the best path for your recovery.
In-person sessions in Toronto. Virtual therapy across Ontario.
Treatment with our lived expereince, validated CBT and addiction principles lasts for 10-12 sessions.
Covered by most extended insurance plans.
*If residing in Ontario
You're here because there is a problem. But you may still cling to your eating disorder not wanting to change or knowing how
People who contact Aliva for eating disorder therapy usually fall into one of two circumstances:
They know something is off, but are not quite sure what it is.
You or someone around you may notice your behaviours with food and appearance are concerning. But you may not be ready to give up how you behave. If this is you, our therapy will likely not start by demanding change, unless there are serious health concerns. We will approach you gently with warmth and curiosity to find the “something” that is off, and go from there.
Their eating disorder has gone too far, but it’s impossible to stop.
Meet Our Specialists
Danielle Watson
Registered Psychotherapist,
RP
- Virtual Sessions
Specializing in Eating disorders and grounded in her own recovery journey, Danielle provides expert ongoing care.
Brian Baumal
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, CRPO#3731
- In-Person & Virtual Sessions
Expert Brian built Aliva from his own lived experience, having permanently overcome an eating disorder and sustained a 100-pound weight loss.
Julie Lewis
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, MACP. CRPO#11014
- Virtual Sessions
The Lived Experience That Built Aliva
Brian Baumal, our founder, created Aliva’s unique therapy approach based on his own severe battle with exercise bulimia and binge eating. Before his recovery, he experienced exactly how exhausting the cycle can be:
- He was working out twice a day, eating 800 calories and using laxatives.
- He was scared if people found out about his over-exercise they would take his gym memberships away.
- He feared putting on weight because the compliments would stop, and he would track who gave him compliments on his phone.
- He became obsessed with losing more weight whenever weight loss stalled. He had to keep losing to get compliements.
- His self-worth was tied-up in his weight. If he changed, he would be giving up a fundamental piece of himself.
- He felt if I could not control aspects of his life he could control my weight.
- He was finally living the life he wanted, or so he thought...
Deep down, he knew my eating habits were not sustainable, yet his worth was too tied up in being thin to make any change. Then suddenly BOOM, his exercise and low-calorie eating just stopped. It was like hitting a brick wall made of pizza and candy. Before he knew it, he swung from exercise bulimia toa full-blown binge eating disorder. The mental confusion was stiffling, and he was confounded how his eating behaviours changed so rapidly. At this point, he was “scared out of his stomach”, causing him to eat even more. He isolated himself and his entire life became unmanagable and unbearable.
Are you in a similar circumstance? If so, reach-out now
Eating disorders are only described as "complex"
To simply call eating disorders complex does not really help people. Rather, they are multi-layered conditions that need to be properly treated step-by-step. Now, here’s the confusing part for most people:
- Eating disorders are BOTH about the food and NOT about the food.
- Eating disorders are BOTH about appearance and NOT about appearance.
- Eating disorders are BOTH about the weight and NOT about the weight.
- Eating disorders are BOTH about control and NOT about control.
- Eating disorders provide an escape and are a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult emotions.
If you’ve never suffered from an eating disorder yourself, you may not fully get the picture. But if you have ever suffered from one, you likely know exactly what we are saying. And you’re likely searching for the right thing to do.
If this resonates with you, contact us to get started with eating disorder therapy.
our commitment
Let's be very clear...
Eating disorders can be serious. There are significant impacts on your health and even mortality. At Aliva, we both understand and want to relieve the urgency of the situation. The process starts by getting to know you and understanding your goals for treatment and if we are the right fit, as another level of care or a more comprehensive approach may be needed.
Our therapeutic relationship with you is of the utmost importance.
We are careful not to push for too much change at the beginning of the relationship. We want to get to know you and understand everything about you in an open and caring way.
Sometimes though, if we do express serious concerns, it is something that would need to be explored between us. If and when this happens, people tell us that this is a very different kind of conversation, compared to having a similar one with a relative, loved one or other health care provider.
With eating disorders we believe the relationship heals.
Therapy for weight management, eating disorders*, and food addiction issues – minus the shame, embarrassment, or fear—online sessions across Ontario. Serving downtown Toronto in-person or online.
Who we are
Why Work With Aliva Psychotherapy
Issues with food and body are serious. At Aliva, the first thing we do is just listen because few people truly understand eating issues, including other therapists. Our therapy is approachable, affable and effective. It may even put a smile on your face.
At Aliva Psychotherapy, we don’t give “tips”; we dive deep to uncover the psychological barriers preventing you from seeing results. From fear to procrastination, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help you laugh, cry, and work your way through the toughest food challenges.
If you’ve hit your lowest point with your struggles, or are sick and tired of endless cycles, we offer compassionate guidance and support. Let’s turn your past attempts into valuable lessons, and make this time different together.
We would like to show you how therapy with Aliva can be the most powerful, fun experience you’ve ever had.
Aliva was founded by Brian Baumal, RP, after he permanently lost 100 pounds and recovered from exercise bulimia and binge eating. He’s now Chair of the Sugar and Food Addiction Professionals Network and has been featured on The Food Junkies Podcast and The Kick Sugar Coach Podcast. Danielle Watson, RP joined the team grounded in her own recovery.
Every therapist who works here has done their own recovery with food, weight, or body. That’s the foundation under everything that happens in session.
Questions About Eating Disorder Treatment
My eating disorder is severe. Will you treat it?
We will always meet with you to determine if you are a good fit for the skills of our therapists and the level of care we provide. We will always do our best to work with you but sometimes we may have to refer you to another organization. Depending on the severity, we may ask that you be monitored by your family physician and that you provide consent to speak to your doctor about your progress. Some of our therapies and therapists require weekly monitoring of your eating.
I have a strong preference for the type of therapy I want. What kinds of therapy do you provide?
Broadly speaking, therapy can be divided into two large groups: 1) Behavioural (CBT, DBT); 2) Psychodynamic.
Behavioural therapy often involves understanding your thoughts and tracking your behaviour outside of session so that you can learn to adjust both to improve your eating disorder.
Psychodynamic therapy is more like “talk therapy” where you deeply explore numerous present and past issues to understand how they contribute to your eating disorder, and make changes through that awareness. The relationship between the therapist and patient is often used to explore these deeper issues.
At Aliva, we use both kinds of therapy, and we encourage people to switch from one to another if they wish to ultimately determine the best fit.
What is the experience of your staff?
Most everyone involved in eating disorders understands that they are serious and multi-dimensional. Eating disorder education is often not included in the formal training of most therapists.
We only hire people with experience treating eating disorders and those who have proof of significant additional training in the area.
Do you do general psychotherapy outside of eating disorders?
Absolutely we do. Virtually all our patients speak to our therapists about psychological issues or concerns that are happening in their lives.
My family does not understand my eating disorder, and that only makes things worse for me. Do you provide therapy or education to close family and friends?
Absolutely we do. If your family or close friends want to understand eating disorders and how to properly help, we will most certainly be happy to see them.
However, we do not provide “family therapy” where all members of the family are together in a session.
Have more questions?
How Your Recovery Begins
Free Discovery Call (30 min)
Start with a low-pressure conversation to share your story and explore whether our approach feels like the right fit for you.
Matching You with the Right Expert.
We use this initial talk to understand your unique needs so we can match you with the specialist on our team best suited to support your journey.
Starting Your Targeted Treatment.
Once you are matched with your specialist, you will begin a targeted therapy journey focused on the root causes of your struggle. While every journey is unique, our evidence-based approach typically helps clients achieve lasting freedom within 10–12 sessions.
Aliva Psychotherapy
How To Get Started
Take the first step toward living freely as you. Get started with Aliva Psychotherapy in Toronto.
Please email, call us, or send an inquiry via our contact form to request an appointment. We will be in touch within 24 business hours.
Have a question before booking? Send us a message below.
Eating disorder Treatment
Aliva Psychotherapy
Helping you find peace with your emotions and a healthier relationship with food, one step at a time.
