Treatment Program
ARFID Treatment Program
Stepped care from psychoeducation through therapy to higher-level-of-care coordination
The Problem ARFID Treatment Solves
Most children and adults with ARFID have been told the same things for years: they're picky eaters, they'll grow out of it, they just need to try harder. None of that works because ARFID is not a choice or a preference. It is a clinical eating disorder driven by sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences, or a neurological lack of interest in food.
Standard feeding advice makes ARFID worse. Forcing exposure without clinical structure increases anxiety. Ignoring it leads to nutritional deficiency, social isolation, and family conflict. Specialized treatment addresses the maintaining factors directly, with a pace and structure calibrated to the individual.
This program provides three levels of support, so treatment can match the severity and complexity of each person's presentation.
Three Levels of Support
Self-Directed Course
An 11-module psychoeducation course covering what ARFID is, how it differs from picky eating, the three profiles (sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences, lack of interest), evidence-based treatment approaches, and practical strategies for families. Written for both the person with ARFID and their support system.
The course provides a clinical-quality education about the disorder, why common strategies fail, and what treatment actually involves. No account required. No cost.
Start the free course →Individual Therapy
Individual therapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR), the leading evidence-based treatment. Sessions focus on psychoeducation, building a food hierarchy, systematic sensory exposure, addressing fear-based avoidance, and gradually expanding the range of tolerated foods.
For children and adolescents, parent involvement is integrated throughout treatment. For adults, sessions address the social and relational impacts of a restricted diet alongside the exposure work. Treatment is gradual, collaborative, and never forced.
Schedule a consultation →Family-Based Treatment / Higher Level of Care
For cases where outpatient therapy alone is insufficient, this level involves family-based treatment with the full household and coordination with higher levels of care. This includes referral and transition planning for residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) at specialized eating disorder facilities, including Center for Discovery.
Higher-level-of-care coordination ensures continuity: the treatment plan developed in outpatient carries forward, and the transition back to outpatient after a higher level of care is structured rather than abrupt.
Discuss care options →Who This Is For
This program serves:
- Children and teens with ARFID who eat fewer than 20 foods and are not expanding their range
- Adults with ARFID who have lived with an extremely limited food repertoire for years, often without a diagnosis
- Parents of picky eaters who are concerned the restriction goes beyond normal developmental selectivity
- People who avoid eating in social settings, skip meals, or experience significant anxiety around food
- Families where mealtime has become a source of daily conflict and stress
You do not need a formal ARFID diagnosis to start. If the description fits, a consultation can help determine whether ARFID treatment is the right path.
Getting Started
The course is free and covers the foundational information about ARFID. Start there if you want to understand the disorder before making decisions about treatment.
If you already recognize ARFID in yourself or your child and want to discuss therapy options, a consultation will help determine which level is the right starting point. No pressure, no obligation.
Insurance & Fees
The self-directed course is free. Individual therapy sessions are $150 per session. I accept Highmark, UPMC, and VCAP insurance in Pennsylvania. For other plans, I provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARFID and how is it different from picky eating?
ARFID is a clinical eating disorder where food avoidance causes nutritional deficiency, weight loss, or psychosocial impairment. Picky eating is a normal developmental phase that resolves over time. ARFID does not resolve on its own and typically worsens without treatment.
What does ARFID treatment involve?
Treatment uses CBT-AR (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID), which addresses sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences, and lack of interest in food through structured, gradual exposure. Family involvement is essential for children and adolescents.
Can adults have ARFID?
Yes. Many adults with ARFID have lived with restricted diets since childhood without a diagnosis. Adult ARFID often creates social avoidance, nutritional deficiencies, and relationship difficulties. Treatment follows the same CBT-AR framework adapted for adult contexts.
Do you accept insurance for ARFID treatment?
The course is free. Therapy sessions are $150 each. Highmark, UPMC, and VCAP are accepted. Superbills are available for other plans.