ARFID & Picky Eating

Mealtimes may have become the hardest part of your family's day. You might be cooking separate meals, negotiating every bite, or worrying about your child's growth — and you may have been told they will grow out of it. Some children do, but many don't, and they shouldn't have to navigate it alone.

I work with children, teens, and their parents together, because parents are one of the most powerful parts of treatment. Drawing on family-based treatment, I help parents take an active, confident role in supporting their child's eating, while giving your child room to build their own skills and confidence. You'll leave with practical ways to reduce mealtime stress and support your child's progress at home.

Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation to understand what drives the avoidance — sensory sensitivity, fear, low appetite, or a combination. My work is grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), which means connection is at the center of healing: our relationship in the room, and the relationships in your life that food struggles may have strained. Because ARFID and picky eating so often come with shame and isolation, that foundation matters.

Where we start depends on the person. For many, the first steps aren't about new foods at all. Early work often focuses on building coping skills for anxiety or distress around eating, exploring the eating environment, and establishing predictable routines and norms around mealtimes. These foundations make later work feel safer and more possible.

From there, I draw on CBT, family-based treatment, and exposure-based approaches, tailoring the mix to each person rather than following a single protocol. Exposure work happens gradually and collaboratively, and nothing is forced. Progress doesn't mean loving every food — it means eating with enough variety and flexibility to live the life you want.