ARFID Therapy in Brooklyn, NY

Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

At Brooklyn Center for Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, we provide specialized therapy for ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) in children, teens, and adults. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or your child, we offer trauma-informed, individualized treatment that addresses the emotional and behavioral roots of restrictive eating—without shame or pressure.

What Is ARFID?

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a type of eating disorder characterized by extreme avoidance or limitation of food intake—not due to concerns about body image or weight, but because of:

Sensory sensitivity (taste, smell, texture, temperature)
Fear of choking, vomiting, or illness
Lack of appetite or interest in eating
Past medical or traumatic experiences related to food

Unlike other eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, ARFID is not driven by a desire to lose weight. Still, it can result in serious physical and psychological consequences, including nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, social anxiety, and emotional distress.

Many individuals with ARFID are mislabeled as “picky eaters” or misunderstood by caregivers and healthcare providers. But ARFID is a real, diagnosable condition that deserves compassionate, skilled treatment.

Who Can Have ARFID?

ARFID can affect people of all ages, though it often starts in childhood or adolescence. It’s also common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorders, or a history of medical trauma (e.g., feeding tubes, GI issues, or oral surgery).

However, ARFID in adults is increasingly recognized and just as valid. Adults with ARFID may struggle silently for years, feeling ashamed, isolated, or anxious in social situations involving food. Our therapists are experienced in supporting children, teens, and adults with ARFID through a nonjudgmental and holistic approach.

Signs and Symptoms of ARFID

Common signs of ARFID include:

Eating only a limited variety of foods (often bland, white, or processed)
Avoiding food due to sensory sensitivities
Strong fears around eating, choking, vomiting, or illness
Nutritional deficiencies or low weight
Avoiding social settings involving food
Anxiety around mealtimes
Difficulty eating in unfamiliar environments
Emotional distress when trying new foods

If you or your child is struggling with these issues, ARFID therapy can help.

How We Treat ARFID at Brooklyn Center for Mindfulness and Psychotherapy

Our approach is warm, collaborative, and research-based. We understand that food avoidance is often a deeply protective behavior rooted in fear or overwhelm. We aim to build trust, flexibility, and emotional resilience—never shame or force.

Our ARFID Treatment Approach May Include:

CBT for ARFID
We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address food-related anxiety and help reframe unhelpful thoughts. This approach can help clients gradually try new foods, reduce avoidance, and build confidence.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is highly effective in reducing fear and anxiety tied to eating. This process is always done at a client’s pace, using supportive, low-pressure exposure techniques.
Family-Based Therapy (FBT)
For children and adolescents, we often involve caregivers in therapy. Parents learn how to support their child’s progress and reduce power struggles around food and mealtimes.
Mindfulness and Somatic Practices
We integrate body-based and mindfulness techniques to help clients build safety within their nervous system, especially when fear or sensory overload is involved.
Trauma-Informed ARFID Treatment
We recognize that many with ARFID have experienced feeding trauma, medical trauma, or emotional invalidation. Our approach is trauma-informed, flexible, and grounded in compassion.

NEW: SPACE Program for Parents of Children with ARFID

We are proud to offer SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) as part of our ARFID treatment approach. SPACE is an evidence-based parent coaching model developed at the Yale Child Study Center, specifically for helping children and teens with anxiety-related disorders—including ARFID, selective eating, and food phobia.

In SPACE, parents—not the child—are the ones receiving guidance. You’ll learn how to respond to your child’s food-related anxiety in supportive ways that reduce accommodation while increasing your child’s sense of security and capability.

Key Benefits of SPACE for ARFID:

Helps reduce food-related conflict and family stress
Encourages flexibility and resilience without force or bribery
Gives caregivers effective tools to manage avoidance behaviors
Improves parent-child connection and communication
Reduces the cycle of anxiety and avoidance that maintains ARFID

SPACE can be a powerful stand-alone approach or used alongside your child’s individual therapy. It’s especially helpful for families where the child is resistant to therapy or overwhelmed by food exposures.

Co-Occurring Conditions and Holistic Support

ARFID often occurs alongside:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Anxiety disorders and phobias
ADHD
Sensory processing sensitivities
Health-related trauma or GI conditions

Our ARFID therapists in NYC are trained to work holistically with these overlapping concerns. We tailor treatment to your or your child’s developmental, emotional, and sensory profile—always at a pace that feels manageable.

Virtual ARFID Therapy in New York

We offer online therapy for ARFID across New York State, making it easier to access high-quality care from the comfort of your home. Virtual sessions are especially helpful for clients who feel most comfortable in familiar environments or need support with real-life food routines.

Why Choose Us for ARFID Therapy

Therapists with experience treating ARFID in children, teens, and adults
Experts in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care
Flexible, compassionate, and collaborative approach
Skilled in CBT, ERP, SPACE, mindfulness, and somatic modalities
LGBTQ+ inclusive and family-centered
In-person therapy in Brooklyn and telehealth throughout NY

Get Help for ARFID in Brooklyn or Online in New York

If you or your child is struggling with ARFID, you don’t have to face it alone. Whether it’s extreme food restriction, meal-related anxiety, or fear-based eating behaviors, we’re here to help you move toward a calmer, more nourishing relationship with food.