The Provincial Adult Tertiary & Specialized Eating Disorders Program provides specialized care for adults 17 years of age and older, who have a DSM V diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Philosophy of Care
Right patient, right treatment, right time.
As individuals are preparing for their admission, we work with them and their community care providers to match them up with the right treatment at the right time. Our program believes that each person’s journey is unique and therefore treatment planning will be different for each patient. It is especially important to consider individual level of readiness for treatment. This helps them get the most benefit possible from the program. Our team uses a holistic approach and is guided by research-and evidence-based practice.
Referral & Intake
Referrals for assessment and treatment are accepted from secondary eating disorders programs (where available) across the province. In the event that a secondary program is not available, referrals are accepted from mental health teams and/or secondary service community care providers.
For referral inquiries, individuals can contact the Intake Coordinator at 604-806-8654. Health professionals can find additional referral information here.
Clinical Services
Our program provides robust interdisciplinary clinical services. Following the referral and intake process, patients are provided with specific treatment recommendations based on their medical acuity, symptom severity/life interference, and engagement with treatment in their community. Our services include:
Transitional Services for Eating Disorders
Our program offers a variety of transitional services that support patients as they work to prepare for our program. These services are again available as patients transition back to their communities following their admission.
Inpatient Treatment
Our tertiary inpatient program is called 4 Northwest. It is located on the 4th floor of the Burrard Building at St. Paul’s Hospital.
Our unit is dedicated to caring for people with eating disorders. Our program consists of a multidisciplinary team specialized in supporting patients who are working toward nutritional, medical, and psychosocial recovery goals.
Information pertaining to an inpatient stay on 4 NW
Intensive Day Hospital/Residential Facility
Our program offers an intensive day hospital treatment program called Discovery, which has a residential facility component called Vista House (in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health).
Read the Discovery Program FAQs. (PDF)
For further inquiries regarding our inpatient program please contact:
Eating Disorders Program Intake Coordinator
St. Paul’s Hospital
4 North, Burrard Building
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6
Phone Number: 604-806-8654
Fax Number: 604-806-8631
Consultation Options
We provide interdisciplinary Provincial Consultation to health care professionals regardless of whether the patient is receiving tertiary level of care services. The purpose of clinical consultation is to provide clinical advice to health care providers caring for individuals with a diagnosis of an eating disorder (ages 17 years and older). Through this service, it supports individuals to be managed closer to home. As well, it promotes continuity of care between specialized services and regional/community health care providers.
- EDP Consultation Options
- BC Eating Disorders Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Emergency Room Guidelines for Eating Disorders
Research
Our program is engaged in innovative research in the field of eating disorders and provides knowledge translation, education, consultation, and outreach activities to support a network of eating disorder services for adults across the province. The Director of Research in our program is Dr. Josie Geller.
VCH Partnership Program location
Vista Residence is located at 3360 Fleming Street, Vancouver. Patients reside in this residence while receiving day treatment in the Discovery Program.
Eating Disorders Program Patient/Family Advisory Committee
Providence Health Care is committed to working with patients and families in delivering excellence in care and making a better health care system. The PHC Eating Disorders Program Patient and Family Advisory Committee is a partnership with the Eating Disorders Program and patients and families to ensure that the voices, opinions and needs of our patients and families are included, respected and understood. The Advisory Committee consists of a group of current and former patients, family members, clinicians and administrators. The group strives to ensure that the program provides excellent quality care, quality improvement and an informed evaluation process.
If you are interested in learning more about the Eating Disorders Patient and Family Advisory Committee, please contact Patty Yoon, Operations Leader at 604-806-8347.
Resources
Why did I develop an Eating Disorder? – The Biopsychosocial Model
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise
Progressive Muscle Relaxation is a simple and effective technique for reducing overall body tension. This tool can easily be learned and practiced anywhere and yields a variety of benefits including reducing stress and anxiety.
Grounding Exercise
Grounding is a technique that helps keep someone in the here and now and in reality. It can be helpful in managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety and regaining mental focus.
Mindfulness of Breath Exercise
Mindfulness of breath uses the breath as an object of focus as a way to develop an alert and sensitive awareness.
Social Media
Facebook: Nourish & Flourish BC
Instagram: @EatCakepod
Podcast: Let Us Eat Cake