Eating feels like a battle, and you’re tired of it.
Does this sound familiar?
You have a very small number of "safe" foods, and the thought of eating anything else feels overwhelming, terrifying, or even disgusting.
You constantly worry about what you can't eat, and it stops you from enjoying social events, travel, or everyday life.
You're exhausted by being called a "picky eater," knowing deep down that this is so much more than pickiness—it's a profound struggle with food.
You don't necessarily want to shrink your body, but you genuinely dread or hate the act of eating.
You worry your body isn't getting the nourishment it needs, but the idea of trying new foods feels impossible
You’ve tried to find a therapist before, but…
They didn't understand why you couldn't just "eat more" or "try new things."
They dismissed your intense fear or disgust around food as simple "pickiness."
They didn't even know what ARFID was, or how profoundly it impacts your life.
You know your struggle is real, and it goes far beyond what most people comprehend. You need someone who truly gets it, someone who validates your unique experience and can offer specialized support for your relationship with food.
You deserve specialized treatment that understands your unique challenges
How I can help
I am passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy across the entire spectrum of eating disorders, including ARFID. My approach is tailored to your unique experience, helping you:
Understanding how ARFID has impacted your physical and emotional health.
Gradually and safely explore new foods, building confidence and reducing fear or disgust.
Develop coping mechanisms to manage anxiety and discomfort around eating.
Improve your body's nutritional intake while respecting your sensory needs and comfort levels.
Set realistic and values-driven goals for your relationship with food, even if that means a more limited or preferred diet than what others might expect.
Reclaim the joy in social situations and daily life that may have been taken by food avoidance.
If you’re tired of feeling controlled by food, and you’re ready to find a path toward peace and greater freedom, I'm here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
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While all involve food restriction, the primary drivers differ. Anorexia Nervosa involves restricting food intake with a significant fear of gaining weight or a desire to shrink one's body size. Orthorexia focuses on an unhealthy obsession with "healthy" or "pure" eating, often leading to extreme restrictions and social isolation. In contrast, ARFID is typically not driven by body image concerns or a desire to lose weight. Instead, the avoidance stems from sensory issues (e.g., taste, texture), fear of adverse consequences (e.g., choking, vomiting), or a general lack of interest in food, making the act of eating most foods feel overwhelming, terrifying, or disgusting.
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People with ARFID often struggle to consume enough food to meet their body's nutritional needs, which can lead to unintended weight loss. In a society that often praises thinness and associates weight loss with health, individuals with ARFID may inadvertently receive positive reinforcement for their unintentional weight loss. This societal messaging can, over time, shift their focus from the food itself to a fear of weight gain, potentially leading to the development of Anorexia Nervosa or a dual diagnosis. It's crucial for a therapist to understand both conditions to provide integrated, effective care.
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It's possible. ARFID is not solely defined by insufficient caloric intake, but also by the significant restriction in variety of foods and the distress or impairment it causes in daily life. Ask yourself: Do these food limitations prevent you from engaging in activities you enjoy, like social gatherings or travel? Do you worry about missing essential nutrients? Do you genuinely desire to feel more comfortable eating a wider range of foods, even if your diet remains more limited than others? My goal is to help you build a relationship with food that feels comfortable, nourishing, and aligned with your values and goals, regardless of specific diagnoses.