Welcome to Friendly Recovery Center, where we specialize in providing comprehensive support for individuals struggling with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Located in the supportive environment of Orange County, our center offers evidence-based care and dedicated support for children, adolescents, and adults working to expand their food repertoire, overcome food-related fears, and achieve adequate nutrition. Our eating disorder treatment programs are designed to address the unique challenges of ARFID with compassion, patience, and clinical expertise.
ARFID treatment involves a specialized, individualized approach aimed at addressing the avoidance or restriction of food intake that is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is characterized by limited food variety due to sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences like choking or vomiting, or lack of interest in eating. Through a combination of therapeutic interventions, food exposure therapy, nutritional rehabilitation, sensory integration strategies, and family support, treatment helps individuals gradually expand their food acceptance, reduce anxiety around eating, and achieve adequate nutritional intake for healthy growth and development. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ARFID can begin in infancy or childhood and, without treatment, may persist into adulthood, making early intervention essential.
Identifying the symptoms of ARFID early is essential for timely intervention and successful treatment. Here are some common signs that you or someone you know may be experiencing ARFID:
Many individuals with ARFID also experience co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or developmental trauma, which must be considered in treatment planning.
Accurate diagnosis of ARFID requires a comprehensive evaluation by qualified mental health, medical, and nutritional professionals with expertise in eating disorders. This assessment typically involves:
Detailed Eating History: Comprehensive exploration of food preferences and aversions, eating patterns throughout development, specific triggers for food refusal, and any traumatic experiences related to eating or gastrointestinal distress.
Sensory Profile Assessment: Evaluation of sensory sensitivities across all domains (taste, texture, smell, visual appearance, temperature, sound), assessment of general sensory processing patterns, and identification of specific sensory triggers that drive food avoidance.
Medical Evaluation: Physical examination to assess nutritional status and growth, laboratory tests to identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies, evaluation of gastrointestinal functioning, and assessment of any medical complications resulting from restricted intake.
Psychological Assessment: Standardized measures to assess eating disorder symptoms, evaluation of anxiety levels particularly related to food and eating, and assessment of overall emotional functioning and quality of life.
Nutritional Assessment: Detailed food diary documenting all accepted foods, caloric and nutritional adequacy evaluation, assessment of supplement or enteral feeding dependence, and identification of nutritional deficits requiring intervention.
Developmental and Trauma History: Exploration of early feeding experiences, any developmental trauma or adverse childhood experiences, assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions, and evaluation of family feeding dynamics.
Co-occurring Conditions: Screening for anxiety disorders, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or other conditions that commonly co-occur with ARFID and may require integrated treatment.
Diagnosis distinguishes ARFID from other eating disorders by the absence of body image concerns and from typical picky eating by the severity of restriction and its impact on nutritional status and functioning.
At Friendly Recovery Center, we understand that each individual’s experience with ARFID is unique, with different underlying causes and presentations. Therefore, we tailor our treatment approach to meet each client’s specific needs, sensory profile, developmental level, and recovery goals. Here’s how we can assist you:
We utilize systematic food exposure approaches that gradually introduce new foods in a low-pressure, supportive environment. Our therapists use hierarchy-based exposure to help clients approach feared or avoided foods step-by-step, building tolerance slowly and celebrating progress. This approach is adapted from evidence-based anxiety treatment techniques.
Our CBT approach helps clients identify and challenge anxious thoughts about food, develop coping strategies for eating-related distress, and gradually build confidence with new foods. For those whose ARFID involves fear of aversive consequences, CBT addresses these specific fears systematically.
For individuals whose ARFID is driven by sensory sensitivities, we incorporate sensory-focused interventions including gradual desensitization to specific textures, temperatures, or smells, sensory play and exploration activities, and strategies to expand sensory tolerance in a developmentally appropriate way.
Our registered dietitians work collaboratively with clients and families to ensure adequate nutrition while respecting current limitations, develop plans for gradual food expansion, address nutritional deficiencies with supplements when necessary, and create realistic, achievable nutrition goals that support health without overwhelming the individual.
Since anxiety often underlies ARFID, particularly when fear of choking or vomiting is present, we incorporate anxiety management techniques, relaxation and breathing strategies, and gradual exposure to reduce fear-based avoidance. Our approach helps clients develop confidence that eating is safe.
Family involvement is often crucial in ARFID treatment, especially for children and adolescents. We provide parent education and coaching, help families create supportive mealtime environments, teach strategies to reduce mealtime pressure and conflict, and support parents in implementing exposure work at home.
When developmental trauma contributes to ARFID—such as early feeding difficulties, medical procedures, or adverse experiences—we provide trauma-informed care that addresses these underlying wounds while building safety and trust around eating.
We address co-occurring conditions such as anxiety disorders, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, or ADHD through our integrated treatment approach, recognizing that these conditions may contribute to or complicate ARFID symptoms and require specialized intervention.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) rovides structured, full-day support with multiple meal and snack opportunities for intensive food exposure and skill building. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers several hours of therapy multiple days per week while allowing clients to maintain school or work. Outpatient services provide ongoing support for continued food expansion and relapse prevention.
We adapt our treatment approach based on developmental level, using play-based and creative interventions for younger children, developmentally appropriate cognitive strategies for adolescents, and adult-focused approaches for older clients. Our men's and women's programs offer age and gender-appropriate support.
We incorporate holistic therapeutic approaches including art therapy to explore food-related fears non-verbally, mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness during eating, and play-based interventions for younger clients. These approaches reduce pressure and make treatment more engaging.
Our group therapy sessions bring together individuals with ARFID and their families to share experiences, reduce isolation, learn from others' successes, and practice food exposure in a supportive peer environment. Group meals and snacks provide valuable opportunities for modeling and encouragement.
For clients with significant anxiety or co-occurring conditions, our psychiatric team provides medication management to support treatment progress. Medications may help reduce anxiety around eating or address co-occurring symptoms while therapeutic work continues.
Living with ARFID presents unique challenges that can impact nutrition, growth, social functioning, and quality of life. Yet with specialized treatment and support, significant improvement is possible. Research shows that early intervention, individualized treatment addressing the specific underlying causes of food avoidance, and family involvement lead to positive outcomes.
At Friendly Recovery Center, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses the complex sensory, emotional, and behavioral aspects of ARFID. Our experienced team understands that ARFID is not willful behavior or “just picky eating”—it’s a serious condition requiring specialized intervention, and we will support you or your child with patience, understanding, and expertise every step of the way.
If you or your child is struggling with ARFID, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Limited food intake can be expanded, nutrition can be restored, and quality of life can improve. Contact Friendly Recovery Center today to learn more about our comprehensive ARFID treatment programs in Orange County, explore your options, and take the first step toward expanded food acceptance, improved nutrition, and greater freedom around eating.
Shahana Ham, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She specializes in client-centered care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, fostering a supportive environment for healing and growth.
ARFID differs from typical picky eating in severity and impact. While many children go through phases of selective eating, ARFID involves significant nutritional deficiency, weight loss or failure to gain expected weight, dependence on supplements or tube feeding, or marked interference with social functioning. ARFID can have multiple causes including sensory sensitivities (food texture, taste, smell), fear of aversive consequences (choking, vomiting, allergic reaction), or lack of interest in eating. Unlike anorexia, it's not about body image. Treatment addresses the specific underlying cause for each individual.
Adults absolutely can have ARFID. While it often begins in childhood, many individuals continue struggling into adolescence and adulthood, either because it went unrecognized or treatment wasn't available. Some adults have managed their limited food intake for years but seek treatment when it begins affecting relationships, health, or quality of life. Our adult treatment programs are designed to help adults expand their food repertoire regardless of how long they've been struggling.
Treatment duration varies widely depending on the severity of restriction, underlying causes, age, and co-occurring conditions. Some individuals see meaningful progress within 3-6 months, while others require 12-18 months or longer, especially if food repertoire is very limited or anxiety is severe. Progress is measured in gradual food additions, improved nutrition, and increased flexibility—not rapid change. Our PHP, IOP, and outpatient programs provide different levels of support based on need.
No. Our approach is based on gradual, voluntary exposure—not force-feeding. We understand that pressure increases anxiety and resistance. Instead, we create a supportive environment where clients can approach new foods at their own pace, with encouragement but never coercion. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes that forcing can be harmful. We use systematic desensitization, starting with non-eating exposures (looking at, touching, smelling) before progressing to tasting when ready. Progress is celebrated, and setbacks are normalized.
ARFID commonly co-occurs with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. Sensory sensitivities associated with autism can drive food selectivity, while ADHD-related attention difficulties may contribute to lack of interest in eating. However, not everyone with ARFID has these conditions. When they do co-occur, we integrate strategies that address neurodevelopmental needs alongside ARFID symptoms. Our treatment is individualized to each person's neurological and psychological profile, and we work collaboratively with other providers when needed.
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover eating disorder treatment including ARFID at the same level as other mental health conditions. Coverage typically includes PHP, IOP, and outpatient services. We work with Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, and many other providers. Verify your benefits to understand your specific coverage.
Yes. In fact, addressing anxiety is often central to ARFID treatment, particularly when fear drives food avoidance. We use evidence-based anxiety treatment approaches including gradual exposure, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques specifically adapted for ARFID. Our dual diagnosis approach treats both conditions simultaneously. Reducing anxiety around eating is essential for expanding food acceptance. Our psychiatric team can also provide medication management if anxiety is severe enough to interfere with exposure work.
We have experience supporting individuals who depend on tube feeding or supplements. Treatment goals include gradually reducing dependence on alternative nutrition while safely increasing oral intake. This process is slow and medically supervised. Our dietitians ensure nutritional needs are met throughout treatment. For some, tube feeding or supplements may continue while oral variety expands. The goal is always safe, adequate nutrition alongside increased oral intake and food flexibility. Medical monitoring ensures safety throughout this transition.
Family involvement is crucial. Parents can help by reducing mealtime pressure and conflict, offering new foods without expectation or force, celebrating small steps and exposure attempts, maintaining consistent meal and snack times, eating together as a family when possible, and avoiding using preferred foods as rewards or punishments. We provide parent coaching to help you implement these strategies and support treatment progress at home. Creating a low-pressure, positive food environment is essential.
Yes. Many individuals achieve significant expansion of their food repertoire, adequate nutrition without supplements, and ability to eat in social situations comfortably. "Recovery" looks different for everyone—some achieve complete food flexibility while others maintain some preferences but with sufficient variety for nutritional adequacy and social functioning. Early intervention, appropriate treatment addressing underlying causes, and family support all improve outcomes. Even long-standing ARFID can improve with proper intervention. Progress is possible at any age.
Ready to start your journey towards recovery and stability? Contact Friendly Recovery Center today and let us help you improve your mental health and wellness.
Our experienced team provides expert IOP, PHP, and outpatient care for individuals in Orange County. We deliver personalized counseling, group therapy, and holistic treatments in a supportive environment designed to improve your life.
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