Counselling for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

​Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterised by eating limited range of foods, avoiding of certain textures, or reduced interest in eating. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by concerns about weight or body image.  ARFID can affect nutritional intake, growth, physical health and daily functioning.

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At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors work with children, adolescents and adults across the Sutherland Shire who are experiencing Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Sessions are available in person at our Menai practice and via secure online appointments.

 

Understanding ARFID

 

​For many people, ARFID is linked to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or past experiences with food. These patterns can affect nutritional intake, growth, physical health, and day-to-day functioning, as well as family life and social situations.

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What this can look like

 

ARFID can present in different ways. Some people may experience:

• Avoidance of foods based on texture, taste, smell or appearance

• Strong sensory sensitivities around food

• A limited range of accepted foods

• Anxiety around trying new foods

• Reduced appetite or lack of interest in eating

• Difficulty eating in social settings

• Distress around mealtimes

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For some, these experiences may sit alongside anxiety, autism, or ADHD, particularly where sensory sensitivity, rigidity or worry around change is present.

 

Across the lifespan

 

Our clinicians are experienced in working with ARFID across the lifespan and recognise how these patterns present differently depending on age and context.

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In children, ARFID often presents as highly selective eating, distress around meals, or difficulty meeting nutritional needs. Therapy focuses on supporting gradual exposure, reducing anxiety, and working with parents to create consistency around food.

 

In adolescents, it may affect social participation, school functioning and independence. Therapy aims to increase flexibility, reduce avoidance, and build confidence eating a wider range of foods.

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In adults, ARFID may involve longstanding patterns of restricted eating, avoidance of social eating situations, or challenges maintaining adequate nutrition.

 

Therapy focuses on understanding these patterns and supporting more flexible and sustainable ways of eating over time.

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When to consider counselling

 

You may wish to consider counselling if eating patterns are:

• Highly restrictive or limited in variety

• Causing distress around food or mealtimes

• Impacting growth, nutrition or physical health

• Affecting social situations or daily functioning

• Associated with anxiety or sensory sensitivities

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​​ARFID counselling in Menai and the Sutherland Shire

 

At Evolving Minds Counselling and Psychology in Menai, our psychologists and counsellors work with people experiencing ARFID across the Sutherland Shire, including Miranda, Caringbah, Engadine and surrounding suburbs.

 

Our team includes an ANZAED credentialed clinician, and all clinicians have completed specialised training in eating disorders.

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We focus on understanding each person’s experience and working in a way that feels manageable and appropriate over time. Therapy may involve gradual exposure to new foods, reducing anxiety around eating, and building flexibility in food choices.

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Our clinicians draw on evidence-based approaches, including CBT-informed approaches, exposure-based strategies, and attachment- and trauma-informed ways of working.  This work sits within our broader eating disorder counselling, allowing us to support both ARFID and the wider factors that may be contributing.

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​Getting Started

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Appointments are available in person at our Menai practice in the Sutherland Shire, or via secure online sessions across Australia.

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​If you’re unsure where to begin, our Client Care Team can assist. Call 02 8519 4197 or use the button below to request an appointment.