Improve Your Relationship with Food, Body, and Self
Are you struggling with negative thoughts about your body or appearance?
Do you find your self-worth tied to how you look, eat, or exercise?
Is your relationship with nutrition filled with guilt, anxiety, or secrecy?
You’re not alone — and support is available. At Your Counselling in Calgary, we provide specialized, compassionate, and evidence-based therapy for individuals facing challenges with body image, self-esteem, and eating disorders. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosed eating disorder or silently battling inner self-criticism, our clinical team is here to walk alongside you — every step of the way.
Specialized Care for Eating Disorders, Body Image, and Self-Worth
At Your Counselling, we recognize that struggles with eating and body image are rarely just about food. They’re often deeply rooted in issues of control, self-worth, identity, and trauma. That’s why our approach addresses the whole person — not just the symptoms.
We support individuals in Calgary and across Alberta who are experiencing:
- Eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and other unspecified disorders)
- Disordered eating patterns (yo-yo dieting, emotional eating, food obsession)
- Negative body image and body dysmorphia
- Low self-esteem and perfectionism
- Exercise compulsion or body checking behaviors
- Post-treatment support and relapse prevention
Whether you’re in the early stages of recognizing an issue or you’re seeking ongoing recovery support, Your Counselling offers a safe, non-judgmental environment to begin or continue healing.
Meet Our Specialist: Jordan Burness, MSW, RCSW
At the heart of our body image and eating disorder program in Calgary is Jordan Burness, a Registered Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Therapist with advanced training in eating disorder treatment, trauma recovery, and body image resilience.
Jordan brings a rare combination of warmth, expertise, and authenticity. She understands how deeply painful — and often invisible — these struggles can be. Her therapeutic style is grounded in self-compassion, body neutrality, and trauma-informed care, empowering clients to reclaim their voice and agency in their healing journey.
Jordan’s clinical approach includes:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Eating Disorders (CBT-E)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Somatic therapy to reconnect with the body safely
- Narrative Therapy to separate identity from the illness
- Intuitive Eating and body respect frameworks
- Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) for eating ritual reduction and fear food reintroduction
“I believe healing starts with feeling truly seen and heard. Every individual deserves to have a relationship with their body that is rooted in respect, not punishment.”
— Jordan Burness, MSW, RSW
What Causes Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders and negative body image do not have a single cause — they are complex, biopsychosocial conditions often shaped by a combination of genetics, early life experiences, cultural pressures, and trauma.
Some contributing factors may include:
- Chronic dieting or early exposure to diet culture
- Family dynamics around food, appearance, or control
- Bullying, teasing, or appearance-related trauma
- Perfectionism and high-achieving tendencies
- Media and social media influence
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- History of anxiety, depression, or OCD
- Experiences of neglect, abuse, or disconnection
It’s important to remember: Eating disorders are not a choice. They are serious mental health conditions that deserve qualified treatment and compassionate care.
What Causes Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders and negative body image do not have a single cause — they are complex, biopsychosocial conditions often shaped by a combination of genetics, early life experiences, cultural pressures, and trauma.
Some contributing factors may include:
- Chronic dieting or early exposure to diet culture
- Family dynamics around food, appearance, or control
- Bullying, teasing, or appearance-related trauma
- Perfectionism and high-achieving tendencies
- Media and social media influence
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- History of anxiety, depression, or OCD
- Experiences of neglect, abuse, or disconnection
It’s important to remember: Eating disorders are not a choice. They are serious mental health conditions that deserve qualified treatment and compassionate care.
Evidence-Based Eating Disorder Treatment in Calgary
Our therapy process is tailored to each client, but may include:
- Initial Assessment & Safety Planning
We begin with a comprehensive intake to understand your relationship with food, body image, mental health history, and current concerns. If needed, we collaborate with physicians, dietitians, or psychiatrists to ensure medical safety.
- Psychoeducation & Self-Compassion Work
Clients learn how eating disorders develop, how they function, and what tools are available for recovery. We place strong emphasis on developing self-compassion and reducing internal shame — essential components of lasting healing.
- Core Therapy Modalities
Using CBT-E, DBT, narrative work, and somatic techniques, we address disordered thoughts, regulate emotions, and work through trauma. This helps reduce eating disorder symptoms while also enhancing overall wellbeing.
- Body Image Reintegration
We gently explore body image concerns and challenge deeply internalized appearance ideals. This may involve mirror exposure, body neutrality practices, or exploring clothing and self-expression without shame.
- Normalizing your Relationship with Food
Through structured exposure and mindfulness, clients work towards normalized eating, food flexibility, and breaking out of unhealthy bingeing or purging cycles. This includes practical tools for challenging food fears and rebuilding connection with the body.
- Relapse Prevention & Long-Term Coping
We help clients build a sustainable recovery toolkit and strengthen their sense of identity, resilience, and boundaries — supporting long-term wellbeing beyond the therapy room.
A Safe Space for All Bodies and Backgrounds
At Your Counselling, we are proud to be:
- Weight-inclusive and Health at Every Size® aligned
- 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming
- Trauma-informed and culturally responsive
- Anti-diet and body liberation focused
We understand that body image concerns and eating disorders can affect all genders, ages, ethnicities, and sizes. Whether you’re a teenager struggling with appearance pressures, a new mom navigating body changes, or an adult carrying decades of internalized shame — your story matters, and we are here to help.
In-Person and Virtual Therapy Available in Calgary and Alberta
Our services are available in-person in Calgary or online across Alberta, offering flexible and accessible support options that fit your lifestyle. Sessions with Jordan Burness are held in a confidential, client-centred setting, where your healing is the priority.
Your Next Step Toward Healing
You don’t have to carry this alone. Reaching out for help is a powerful first step — and we’re here to meet you with care, respect, and proven tools for recovery.
Whether you’re ready to start therapy or simply want to explore your options, our team is available to guide you.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Not sure where to start? Book a free, no-pressure consultation with Jordan Burness to learn more about how therapy can support you or your loved one. We’ll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you take the next step.
Let’s Build a Healthier Relationship with Body, Food, and Self — Together
You are not your diagnosis. You are not your weight.
You are not alone.
Your Counselling. It starts with a conversation.
