About Us
Our Story
The Eating Disorder Support Network of Alberta (EDSNA) is a non-profit organization and a registered charity dedicated to providing meaningful support to those affected– directly and indirectly– by eating disorders. Our grassroots organization was founded by the mother of a daughter with an eating disorder; her personal experience inspired a desire to support others.
EDSNA provides information, guidance, a provincial voice, a community hub and most of all, support. We offer virtual professionally-facilitated support groups, open to anyone in Alberta. Groups are offered at a low cost to the participants, but fees can be waived to reduce financial barriers to care.
EDSNA promotes awareness about eating disorders by recognizing Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) February 1st-7th, providing educational presentations, and strengthening relationships between community partners and treatment professionals. All initiatives are offered in an effort to create a more effective voice for those impacted by eating disorders and the people who care for them.
We are grateful for ongoing support from Alberta Mental Health and Addictions, and all who have given in whatever way they can over the years.
Download our Annual Report 2023/2024 here: Annual Report
EDSNA is located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Metis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich Amisk (Alberta), and our home city, Amiskwaciy-wâskahikan or Beaver Hill House (Edmonton).
EDSNA serves all of Alberta, but is located in Edmonton.
Our Vision
We educate, connect, and support.
Our Mission
Earlier intervention. Accessible Recovery. Social change.
Who do we serve?
We serve individuals dealing directly with an eating disorder, family and loved ones of those dealing directly with an eating disorder, professionals working in the field of eating disorders, and the general public.
General Principles
We are client centered, professionally-facilitated, with programs tailored to client needs and respectful of individual diversity. There is not one cause for eating disorders, therefore there is not one solution that will be right for everyone. EDSNA is a support network – not a treatment organization.
Funding
We are grateful for generous financial support from:
- Alberta Health, Addictions and Mental Health Branch
- You!
Funding, donations, and proceeds from events allow us to continue to offer support and information to the eating disorder community.
Who are our Facilitators?
Our facilitators are all health professionals with a background in eating disorders. They are registered psychologists, registered dietitians, nurses, registered social workers and occupational therapists.
Our team is comprised of professionals who have the skills to guide groups effectively, answer questions knowledgeably, and empower people to take ownership of their own journey to recovery. We select professionals who are aligned with our philosophy that everyone in the family is impacted by eating disorders, who are non-judgmental and can provide a safe space for everyone to participate.
Meet the Board
Courtney Rippin Kaufman
President
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Amanda Huxley
Vice President & Secretary
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Amanda is a lawyer with the Alberta Energy Regulator. She is also a yoga and meditation instructor and avid volunteer. Amanda loves to help out wherever and however she can and was a volunteer with EDNSA before joining the Board. Having lived experience, she is very conscious of the impacts eating disorders have on those who face them as well as their loved ones. Amanda strongly believes and supports EDSNA’s vision that no one should face an eating disorder alone and is passionate about tackling the stigma associated with eating disorders. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing, travelling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Joe Custodio
Treasurer
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Joe is a CPA and currently works as a Finance Manager for Cantiro. His professional experience includes education and public accounting with specialization in fast-growing private companies and not-for-profit organizations. Joe understands the serious mental, physical, and social consequences caused by eating disorders, and strongly believes that no one should suffer with it alone. In a quest to challenge our society’s stigma and raise awareness on eating disorders, Joe aims to contribute by providing his financial expertise and insight to the organization. In his spare time, Joe enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and playing chess.
John Woulfe
Director at Large
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Bio to come!
Rhea Bell
Director at Large
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With over a decade of dedicated service as a paramedic and other associated roles, Rhea brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting individuals in crisis. This knowledge has allowed her the opportunity to manage complex operational challenges, optimize team performance as well as support paramedics who have experienced psychological injuries, reinforcing her commitment to mental health and well-being.
Currently, as the Deputy Registrar at the Alberta College of Paramedics, she oversees the registration and fair regulation of paramedics across Alberta, ensuring high standards in the profession and advocating for continuous improvement in emergency services. Her academic background includes a degree in Applied Business with a specialization in Emergency Services Management and an MBA from Cape Breton University.
Her decision to join EDSNA stems from a personal conviction to address the challenges faced by individuals with eating disorders. Throughout her paramedic career, she witnessed the significant difficulties these individuals encounter and the need for effective support. By joining EDSNA, she aims to contribute to the organization’s mission of education and support for individuals and families affected by eating disorders in Alberta.
Karyn Adams
Director at Large
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Karyn believes authenticity isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a way of life. After 17 years in the
Canadian Forces and over 15 years navigating the corporate jungle of global oil and gas giants,
Karyn has learned the value of staying true to yourself.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Karyn carries the prairie grit and neighborly spirit into
everything she does. She’s the proud mom of two teenagers and a self-confessed word nerd
who delights in an intricately crafted sentence. She enthusiastically enjoys hot yoga, sporting
events, musical theatre, and an epic board game session – where she’s known to be both a
fierce competitor and a gracious winner.
Karyn’s passion for behavioral science rivals her love for a good curling match. She holds an
MBA from Royal Roads and studied Communications at the University of Calgary. Whether
she’s mentoring someone or supporting her community, she’s driven by a desire to help others
grow and succeed.
Now stepping into her role as a board member for the Eating Disorder Support Network of
Alberta, Karyn is excited to bring her unique blend of experience and curiosity to the table,
where she hopes to help others find their path to wellness and self-discovery.
Meet the Staff
Lauren Berlinguette
Executive Director
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Lauren is grateful for the opportunity to become more involved with the organization since she began volunteering Fall 2017. Having had her own personal experiences with eating disorders, she recognizes the importance of the work EDSNA is doing, and is excited to be involved in a greater capacity.
Lauren is a MacEwan University graduate, having completed her undergraduate degree with a major in Psychology and a focus on Eating Disorders. Increasing awareness of Eating Disorders in diverse populations, including late onset disorders, diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, and those affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, is something she is especially passionate about.
Lauren loves cooking, gardening, and exploring the world.
Laura James
Director of Awareness & Outreach
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Laura began with EDSNA in January 2024 and is passionate about mental health support and education in Alberta. A graduate of Grant MacEwan University, she has worked in communications and public relations for the last 16 years and enjoys helping non-profit organizations advance their missions through creative and strategic advocacy.
As Director of Awareness and Outreach, she is excited to help EDSNA continue to break down the stigma around eating disorders, increase awareness, and promote resources available to individuals living with an eating disorder, as well as their caregivers.
Laura enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs as well as running, biking, being outdoors and hanging out with friends.
Alisha Coyston
Director of Programming
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Bio to come!
Jessica Nelson
Volunteer Coordinator
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Hannah Brown
Social Media Assistant
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Hannah started volunteering with EDSNA in 2015 at the Edmonton Woman’s Show. Since then she has volunteered at many other shows, events, and Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Having lived experience with an eating disorder herself, Hannah hopes to educate and reduce the stigma surrounding eating disorders and mental health. Hannah is committed in both her career and personal life to live by EDSNA’s vision that no one should have to face an eating disorder alone. In her free time, Hannah loves writing poetry, spending time outdoors, and showing off photos of her dog Bella.
Rachel Papulkas
Newsletter Contributor
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is EDSNA?
EDSNA was officially formed in April 2014. It began offering professionally-facilitated support groups in October 2014.
Who runs EDSNA?
EDSNA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Executive Director, Director of Awareness & Outreach, Program Director, and several volunteers manage all day-to-day operations, including: planning seasonal programming; creating infrastructure and systems; leading awareness activities; managing public relations; and provide insight regarding long-term strategic planning and fundraising.
Where is EDSNA’s office located?
EDSNA is located in Edmonton, within the Jerry Forbes Centre for Community Spirit. The address is EDSNA, 12122 68 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5B 1R1.
How can I become more involved with EDSNA?
There are a number of ways you can get involved:
- Sign up for our Newsletter
- Volunteer with us
You can also donate or help spread the word by sharing our website with others. Contact us at info@edsna.ca to discuss how you would like to work with us.
Who are your facilitators and what are their credentials?
Our facilitators are all health professionals with a background in eating disorders. They are registered psychologists, registered dieticians, psychiatric nurses, registered social workers and occupational therapists. We hire people who have the skills to guide groups effectively, answer questions knowledgeably and empower people to take ownership of their own journey to recovery. We select professionals who are aligned with our philosophy that everyone in the family is impacted by eating disorders, who are non-judgmental and can provide a safe space for everyone to participate. You can learn more about our facilitators here.
Do you offer treatment? Is a doctor’s referral necessary?
No. We do not offer treatment or therapy; we offer support. No referral is required. If you feel you are affected by an eating disorder and could use some support, our door is open. You don’t need to reveal anything about your illness as part of the registration process. Our groups are confidential and whatever you share in the group will not be revealed. We ask that all group participants read and agree to our Group Guidelines.
What is the difference between support groups, group therapy, and treatment?
Great question! Here’s a page to explain this, as a lot of people are confused about the difference. Again, EDSNA offers professionally-facilitated support groups, not group therapy or treatment. We respect the work of other professionals and recognize that because eating disorders are so complex, families often need the help of many to achieve recovery.
Why don’t you offer more separate support groups for people with different types of eating disorders?
Historically, we have found that individuals seeking support are able to learn from one another; even though their individual illnesses may manifest differently, the feelings are very similar.
That said, EDSNA would like to keep programming relevant to the needs of group participants; we have begun to offer some specific-symptom, and specific-demographic, support groups. Please visit our support page for the most up-to-date program offerings.
If you have feedback about the type of group you would find most helpful, please feel free to send us an emailto info@edsna.ca.
Why do you charge a participant fee if you receive funding to offer groups?
The generous funding we receive through Alberta Mental Health and Addictions and other funding sources doesn’t cover all the expenses associated with providing the support groups or operating this organization; participant fees support costs not covered by granting programs.
If the fee is a barrier to participation, it can be waived by emailing info@EDSNA.ca.
Hmmm, I don’t think that answers my question
Sorry about that! Your question may not have been covered here but we do want to answer it.
Feel free to email info@EDSNA.ca and we will get back to you.