Frequently Asked Questions

How long you will work with a dietitian or therapist will depend on your individual needs and goals. Most of our clients will see us for 6–9 months on average. Our goal is to create sustainable change, not sell you a quick fix. As we work from a client-centred and collaborative approach, the care plan will be created with your needs and capacity in mind. Please note that for eating disorder recovery, the average time is 9–12 months.

Whether you need a dietitian or therapist will always depend on where you are and the goals you have. Most of our clients will see both providers at some point to benefit from the Food Body Mind Approach. The best way for us to guide you is to book a free consultation with one of our team members so we can assess your needs.

Rule of thumb: Connect with a dietitian first if:

• You already have a therapist.
• You are engaging in many eating disorder behaviours that are impacting your nutritional intake.
• Healing your relationship with food is your priority.
• You want to manage a chronic illness with gentle nutrition.

Rule of thumb: Connect with a therapist first if:

• You already have a dietitian.
• Your priority is to focus on mental health.
• You are medically stable and continue to have more eating disorder thoughts.
• You want to focus on anxiety, depression, burnout, emotional regulation, communications, boundaries, etc.

Eating disorder treatment is what we do. This is our area of expertise. The Balanced Practice is here to support you through full recovery. Our multidisciplinary team integrates nutrition counselling and therapy to provide comprehensive care in one place.

That is okay. A diagnosis IS NOT required to get support. The Balanced Practice understands that there are often many barriers to getting a diagnosis, and it is not always accessible. This DOES NOT mean you do not deserve support. The Balanced Practice is here for you. Whether or not you have a diagnosis, your experience is valid, and we are here to support you. You do not need to wait to get help.

Yes! The Balanced Practice clinicians have been trained to support kids, teens, and adults. When working with kids and teens, we use a modified family-based approach to involve parents or caregivers.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not recommend virtual appointments for kids. If you are unable to see us at our Ottawa location, we may refer you to another healthcare professional.

Yes! The Balanced Practice loves working with couples. Please see our couples therapy page for more information.

Many insurance companies cover dietetic services as well as psychotherapy. Please speak with your insurance provider to learn more, or call us at (613) 366-3707 if you have any questions.

At this time, we do not offer direct billing to insurance providers. We will provide you with detailed receipts to submit to your insurance company.