Therapy for Adult ARFID

At a work happy hour, you order a Coke and pretend to be full when the appetizers arrive.

Even though you learned to navigate these social situations by focusing on conversation, you’re still acutely aware that because of your relationship with food, you come across as “different” compared to your colleagues, family, and friends.

Before bed, you tally up the day: pasta with butter, half of a sandwich, and some crackers… maybe 800 calories total across your safe foods. You’re exhausted, and you know your body needs more fuel.

Your doctor’s warning replays in your mind about how ARFID is affecting you: the fatigue you feel every day, the stomach and GI issues, the vitamin deficiencies showing up in your blood work.

You understand the risks, which just makes it more concerning and more frustrating that eating differently still feels a long way off.

You’ve Already Tried Doing It Yourself

Willpower and forcing yourself

You discovered that determination alone wasn't enough to override the intense physical responses to certain foods.

Family pressure and reward systems

Well-meaning loved ones tried making eating "fun" or hoped you'd eventually "grow out of it."

Medical interventions

Acid reflux medications and GI treatments addressed symptoms but not the root cause.

Supplements and meal replacements

Protein shakes filled nutritional gaps but didn't solve the actual eating challenges.

Online communities and self-help

r/ARFID provided support but mixed results from DIY approaches.

Avoidance strategies

Eating before events and bringing safe foods everywhere helped you cope but didn't create change.

While these attempts helped you survive day-to-day, they taught you to work around ARFID rather than resolve it.

The Evidence Is Clear: Specialized ARFID Treatment Works

80% of adults achieve significant improvement

Clinical trials of CBT-AR show consistent, measurable results

93% complete the full treatment program

Compared to only 50-60% for general eating disorder therapy because the specialized approach is more tolerable and effective

18 new foods added on average

Double or triple your current food variety, reaching 30-50 comfortable options

47% achieve full remission

Nearly half no longer meet ARFID criteria after treatment

71% regain normal quality of life

Reaching a point where food is no longer a central, debilitating concern

6-12 months to life-changing results

After potentially decades of restriction, recovery happens faster than you might think

These aren’t just statistics; they represent real people who went from bringing safe foods everywhere to ordering off regular menus, from avoiding family dinners to enjoying them.

Virtual treatment is equally effective. Research shows telehealth outcomes match in-person results, making specialized care accessible wherever you are.

How My Approach Is Different

We Work WITH Your Brain, Not Against It

I recognize that your brain’s protective responses around food are trying to keep you safe. Instead of fighting these responses through willpower, we gradually teach your nervous system that eating can be safe through repeated positive experiences at a pace your brain can actually absorb.

Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-AR)

Instead of forcing yourself to "just eat it," you'll learn to examine the specific thoughts that make foods feel dangerous, like, "this will make me sick" or "I can't handle this texture." Then you'll test these thoughts in tiny, manageable ways to see what's actually true.

Professional Exposure Therapy

Nothing like the forced exposure you've tried before. You might start by simply having a new food in the same room, then maybe touching the outside of the package, then smelling it, all at a pace that feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)

Learn to have anxious thoughts and uncomfortable feelings about food without letting them automatically control what you eat. You'll practice making food choices based on your health goals and what you want your life to look like, even when anxiety is present.

Mindfulness and Somatic Therapy

Notice how your body reacts to food situations before the anxiety peaks - things like your heart racing, shallow breathing, or muscle tension. Learn simple breathing and grounding techniques that help you feel more settled, so trying new foods doesn't immediately trigger that intense physical "no" response.

Why Specialization Matters

Research shows that general eating disorder treatment often fails to help ARFID symptoms improve

ARFID is a complex condition that affects how your brain processes food-related information. Studies from Massachusetts General Hospital found that 85% of people with ARFID showed significant improvement when they received specialized treatment, compared to much lower success rates with general approaches.

ARFID requires different tools and techniques than other eating concerns because it works differently in your brain.

My Specialized Training:

✓ CBT-AR - This specific therapy method, developed at Harvard Medical School, is the most research-backed approach for ARFID. Studies show it helps 7 out of 10 people no longer meet ARFID criteria after treatment.

✓ Food exposure protocols - These are step-by-step methods designed specifically for how ARFID brains learn to feel safe around food, starting incredibly small (like having food in the room) and building gradually.

✓ Somatic approaches - Techniques that help calm your body's physical responses to food anxiety, like rapid heartbeat or nausea, so your nervous system can actually learn instead of staying in panic mode.

✓ Neurodivergent adaptations - Modified approaches for autistic and ADHD clients, since ARFID affects up to 1 in 4 people with these conditions and requires different strategies than neurotypical treatment.

Note: Research published in 2025 found that people whose ARFID comes from fears (like choking, vomiting, or allergic reactions) respond especially well to specialized treatment; they're almost 3 times more likely to fully recover compared to other types of ARFID.

What Recovery Looks Like

The research-backed methods we use are designed to create one ultimate outcome: giving you your life back. For my clients, this isn’t just about food, it’s about freedom. Here’s what that freedom looks and feels like:

Food Variety That Lets You Live Freely

• Your energy returns and bloodwork normalizes because you're meeting nutritional needs without supplements

• You can say yes to spontaneous dinner invitations because you'll find options at most restaurants

• You actually enjoy celebrations instead of dreading them because dinner parties no longer trigger anxiety

Manageable Reactions Instead of Panic

• You stay present in social situations instead of shutting down because mild discomfort replaces instant terror

• You can share pizza with friends even if it has mushrooms because seeing trigger foods won't ruin your meal

• Food stops feeling like a threat because your nervous system learns to distinguish real danger from false alarms

Normal Social Eating

• No more researching restaurants for hours beforehand - you can order from regular menus

• You're building relationships instead of making excuses at work lunches and team dinners

• You're focused on the people, not panicking about the cake at birthday celebrations

Trust Your Body’s Signals

• You eat when your body needs fuel, not when fear decides because you know hunger from anxiety

• No more undereating or forcing yourself to finish because you recognize comfortable fullness

• "I don't prefer this" no longer means "I can't eat this" because you distinguish preferences from fear

Eating Becomes Easier

• You have energy left for your actual life because meals become quicker and less mentally exhausting

• More mental space for work, relationships, and hobbies with less energy spent on food decisions

• Food is just food again, not the center of every decision so you can focus on what truly matters to you

That’s Where I Come In

Common Questions & Concerns

"What if I'm not ready to try new foods?"

We move at YOUR pace. Therapy meets you exactly where you are, focusing first on safety and trust.

"Can therapy help after living this way for so long?"

Research shows even decades-long ARFID can improve. The oldest documented recovery was a 71-year-old man.

"I'm autistic/ADHD; will this work for me?"

Absolutely. I adapt treatment for neurodivergent clients with visual schedules, sensory-friendly approaches, and respect for your processing style.

Session Fee: $300

Most clients see significant progress in 20-30 sessions over 6-12 months.

Insurance Reimbursement Available:

✓ Monthly superbills provided
✓ Many PPO plans offer partial reimbursement for out-of-network services
✓ HSA/FSA eligible
✓ Call your insurance and ask about “out-of-network mental health benefits”

Why out-of-network? Specialized ARFID treatment requires expertise and time that insurance-dictated sessions don't allow.

Investment & Insurance Information

Start Your Recovery

Many clients experience:

First Month:

Reduced mealtime anxiety, trying 1-2 new foods

Months 2-3:

Noticeable energy improvements, eating becomes less stressful

Months 4-6:

Significantly expanded safe foods, social eating gets easier

Months 6-12:

Life-changing results; food no longer controls your choices

Individual progress varies, but improvement typically begins within the first few sessions as you develop new tools and perspectives.

The Journey to Recovery

Due to the specialized nature of this work, I maintain a small caseload.

Currently accepting new clients.

Contact Me About Starting Treatment

Learn about the treatment process
Ask questions about my approach
Discuss scheduling and payment options

Virtual sessions available for residents of Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Delaware

About Me
I’m Grace Annan, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, with a particular focus on adults living with ARFID. My approach combines evidence-based treatment with compassion and practical support, helping clients move at a pace that feels safe while working toward meaningful change. I’m committed to providing clear, effective strategies that address the challenges of ARFID and support lasting progress.

FL-SW 17620 NJ-44SC06323400 DE- Q1-0012397 CT- 13638 DC-LC200003064

Schedule Your Session