Adult Eating Disorders Program

Kingston Health Sciences Centre's Adult Eating Disorders Program provides assessment, consultation, and treatment services to individuals 18 years of age and older who meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or other specified feeding or eating disorders. For individuals with a body mass index (BMI) below 16, a referral to a higher level of care is required.

The program provides evidence-based treatment primarily in group format, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and nutrition support. 

The program goals are:

  • Restoring physical health (including normalization of eating and weight restoration)
  • Symptom interruption (e.g., interruption of bingeing, purging, restriction, excessive exercise)
  • Acquiring recovery-oriented skills
  • Improving participants’ quality of life

Please note that our program does not currently accept referrals for binge eating disorder or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Assessment Process
  1. Patients entering the program first receive a psychiatric assessment with the team psychiatrist to determine an appropriate treatment plan
  2. A physical assessment with the nurse practitioner will be completed
  3. Follow-up support for related medical concerns will be provided to community referral sources
Wait times

An initial phone call from the program secretary to book assessments varies but typically occurs within approximately one month from the time of referral. Assessment appointments with the team are usually scheduled six to eight weeks after the initial phone call. Weekly therapy and nutrition groups are available immediately following acceptance to the program following an appointment with the team’s nurse practitioner.

Location

We are located at 166 Brock Street, on Centenary 5 of Kingston Health Sciences Centre’s (KHSC) Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) site.

Directions within the hospital:

  • Take the main elevators (located in the lobby) to the fifth floor
  • Turn right out of the elevators and follow the hallway until you reach another set of elevators. Beside this elevator is a gray door (this door may be shut).
  • Go through the gray closed door and take this hallway to the end. The office is on the left-hand side and has three large windows into the hallway.

Contact

Phone
613-544-3400 ext. 2506
1-855-544-3400 (toll-free)

Fax
613-545-1364 (referrals only)

Email
@email (referrals only)

Mailing Address
Adult Eating Disorders Program, HDH site
166 Brock Street, Centenary 5
Kingston, ON, K7L 5G2

How to make a referral

A referral from a primary care provider is required.
Learn how to make a referral here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What areas do we serve? 

As part of the Ministry of Health’s East Region Eating Disorder Program, the Adult Eating Disorders Team serves the residents of Kingston, Trenton, Belleville, Brockville, Perth, Smiths Falls and surrounding communities.

Are there other adult eating disorder treatment programs in the region?

The following adult eating disorder treatment programs offer both inpatient and day programs in Ontario:

+ Ottawa Hospital – Regional Center for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

+ Toronto General Hospital Eating Disorder Program

+ Trillium Health Partners Eating Disorders Program at Credit Valley Hospital

+ Homewood Health Centre’s Eating Disorder 9-week and 16-week Programs

What if I cannot attend my appointment?

We’re committed to providing timely and compassionate care. If you cannot attend your scheduled appointment with the Adult Eating Disorders Program, please let us know as soon as possible. This allows us to offer the time to someone else on our extensive waitlist. We do not double book appointments; your appointment time is reserved exclusively for you.

New / Initial Appointments  

  • If you need to cancel your first appointment, call the program secretary at 613-544-3400 x 22506 at least 24 hours in advance.
  • With proper notice, you’ll be placed back on the waitlist. Please note rebooking may take up to 3 months.
  • Late cancellations or missed appointments without notice will result in your file being closed.
  • A second cancellation, even with 24-hours' notice, will also lead to your file being closed.

Follow-up Appointments  

  • The same 24-hour cancellation policy applies.
  • This includes no-shows or last-minute cancellations of less than 24-hours' notice unless a medical emergency has occurred.  
  • Two no-shows with the psychiatrist may result in discharge from the program.​​​​​​
  • It is our team’s practice to wait 15 minutes before leaving virtual sessions. Please sign in early to each virtual appointment to allow sufficient time should a technical issue arise.
  • If you are unable to log in to a virtual session, please contact the program secretary.

Group Therapy Attendance (Core Therapy and Body Satisfaction)

  • If you miss two group sessions, you may be asked to restart group therapy at a future date.
  • Invitations to join group therapy are only offered twice before your file is closed.
  • Group therapy content is sequential and missing group sessions disrupts your recovery and interferes with group dynamics.

Important Notes: 

  • If you choose to decline treatment but later wish to return, a new referral is required if it has been six months or more after your file was closed.
  • No medications will be prescribed or renewed after discharge from the program.