ARFID Therapy in Naples, Florida
In-person therapy in Naples and virtual counseling for Florida residents
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is more than “picky eating.” It can involve a very limited range or volume of foods, sensory sensitivities around texture, taste, smell, or appearance, fear of choking or vomiting, or little interest in food or eating. ARFID can affect children, teens, and adults, and it does not look the same for everyone. I provide individualized ARFID therapy in Naples, with virtual therapy throughout Florida.
Emily McDonagh + LCSW + CEDS-C
ARFID can affect more than what is on the plate. A limited range or volume of foods can create stress around meals, conflict at home, anxiety in social settings, and concern about whether you or your child are getting enough nutrition and energy.
Some people have struggled with food since early childhood, while others develop these concerns over time. ARFID is not a choice, and it can affect a person psychologically, physically, and medically. When eating has become a source of fear, stress, or conflict, you do not have to figure it out alone.
When Food Becomes a Source of Fear, Stress, or Conflict
AFRID Shows Up in Different Ways
ARFID is not primarily driven by a desire to lose weight or change body shape or size. Instead, it can show up through sensory sensitivities, fear of an adverse consequence, or low interest in food or eating. Some people experience one of these patterns, while others experience more than one.
Because ARFID does not look the same for everyone, I tailor therapy around the severity of the concern, the person’s age, their needs, and what feels possible for them right now.
Sensory Sensitivities
Low Interest in Food
Fear of an Adverse Consequences
Food may feel difficult because of its texture, taste, smell, appearance, or temperature. Certain foods can feel overwhelming, unsafe, or simply impossible to tolerate.
Some people avoid food because they are afraid something bad will happen, such as choking, vomiting, having an allergic reaction, or experiencing pain.
Others may have very little interest in food, feel full quickly, forget to eat, or struggle to take in enough food to meet their nutritional and energy needs.
ARFID, Neurodivergence, and Individualized Support
ARFID and neurodivergence can overlap in ways that make food feel especially complicated. Sensory sensitivities, a need for predictability, anxiety, past experiences around food, and access to safe foods can all play a role. For some neurodivergent individuals, the goal is not to force change or make food feel “normal.” It is to build acceptance, increase access to supportive resources, and create more willing flexibility where it is possible.
I tailor ARFID therapy around the person in front of me. That means considering their age, sensory needs, medical and nutritional concerns, anxiety, motivation, and what feels realistic for them and their family.
Collaborative ARFID Care
ARFID can affect more than the person struggling with food. It can shape what meals look like at home, how school or travel feels, and how much stress or planning goes into eating each day. In ARFID therapy in Naples, I work with children, teens, and adults while helping parents and caregivers understand the person’s specific food fears, sensory needs, or low interest in eating.
When it is appropriate, treatment may include gradual exposure work, anxiety management, parent consultation, and practical support around food. I am trained in CBT-AR, a treatment approach developed specifically for ARFID, and I tailor the work to the person in front of me rather than using a preset plan.
Because ARFID can involve medical, nutritional, sensory, and emotional concerns, I may also collaborate with other providers as part of the care.
Treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, & Binge Eating Disorders
If your concerns around food are connected to restriction, bingeing, purging, body-image distress, or feeling out of control around eating, I also provide specialized support for anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. This treatment is different from ARFID therapy and focuses on the thoughts, behaviors, and emotional experiences that can keep these eating disorders in place.
Learn More About Eating Disorder Treatment
Teen Eating Disorder Treatment
If you are seeking support for a teen or young adult who is struggling with food, body image, exercise, or eating-disorder behaviors, I also offer specific treatment for adolescents along with family-focused support.
Frequently Asked Questions About ARFID
Q. What kinds of treatment can help with ARFID?
ARFID treatment is individualized based on the severity of the concern, a person’s age, and their willingness, motivation, and insight. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) and may also use gradual exposure work, anxiety management, parent and family support, and consultation.
For neurodivergent individuals, the approach may be more acceptance-based. Rather than focusing only on change, I consider access to safe foods, available resources, sensory needs, and building willing flexibility where it feels possible.
Q. How does neurodivergence affect ARFID treatment?
Neurodivergence can shape how ARFID shows up, particularly when sensory needs, anxiety, predictability, and access to safe foods are part of the picture. For neurodivergent individuals, I take a more acceptance-based approach rather than focusing only on changing eating patterns.
Treatment may involve understanding sensory needs, increasing access to safe and supportive foods, building on available resources, and creating willing flexibility where it feels possible. I tailor ARFID therapy to the individual rather than expecting food to look the same for everyone.
Q. Is ARFID a choice?
No. ARFID is not a choice. It is a psychiatric disorder that can affect a person psychologically, physically, and medically. Food avoidance may be connected to sensory sensitivities, fear of something happening while eating, such as choking or vomiting, or low interest in food and eating.
ARFID can be especially stressful because food is part of everyday life. When eating has become a source of fear, stress, or conflict, individualized support can help you or your child better understand what is happening and identify appropriate next steps.