ARFID Psychologist Therapy
Evidence Based ARFID Treatment
Clinically experienced Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Psychologists providing safe, evidence based therapy and mental health support for children, teens, and adults.
Reduce food anxiety, work through sensory and fear based avoidance, and build a calmer relationship with eating via telehealth, Australia wide.
Join 1,000+ People On Their Recovery Journey
Bite Into Freedom
AHPRA Registered Psychologists
Your First
Session Includes
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Evidence Based ARFID Therapy
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Private And Confidential Sessions
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100% Private Telehealth Sessions
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CBT-AR, Exposure Therapy & ACT Informed
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Compassionate, Judgement Free Support
Accepting New Clients Australia Wide
The Initial
Psychology Consultation
We know the first step is the hardest. Our initial sessions are designed to provide immediate clarity and a clinical path forward, with you feeling heard and validated from the first session, creating a safe, judgement free space to begin recovery.
Psychological Assessment
We conduct a comprehensive assessment of your mental health history, relationship with food, sensory sensitivities, and the origins of your eating difficulties to understand your unique experience and current challenges.
Identifying ARFID Drivers
Identifying which ARFID presentation is driving avoidance: sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences (choking, vomiting, allergic reaction), or low interest in eating, alongside any co-occurring anxiety, trauma, or neurodivergent factors.
Practical Therapy Strategies
You'll begin learning evidence based psychological tools, including anxiety regulation techniques, gentle exposure planning, and cognitive reframes to support change between sessions at a pace that feels safe.
Clear Next Steps & Ongoing Support
We outline the next steps and how we can continue working together to guide your recovery moving forward, including coordination with your GP, dietitian, or paediatrician where helpful.
What ARFID
Actually Feels Like
ARFID is not simply "picky eating." It is a complex eating disorder driven by intense sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences, or a genuine lack of interest in food, requiring specialised psychological treatment.
The Sensory Overload
That moment when the texture, smell, or appearance of a new food triggers an intense, involuntary physical response. Your rational brain might want to try it, but your nervous system's alarm takes over and refuses.
The Fear of Eating
The anxiety surrounding eating due to fears of choking, vomiting, or an allergic reaction makes mealtimes a source of deep dread. It's not stubbornness; it's your nervous system trying to keep you safe from perceived danger.
"I wish I could just eat
like everyone else."
We understand the specific toll ARFID takes on your social life, mental health, and self-worth. Our role as psychologists is to identify the underlying sensory, anxiety, and fear based patterns driving food avoidance, and provide the therapeutic tools to work through them safely.
Sensory Processing
Heightened sensitivity to taste, texture, and smell makes many foods physically intolerable, requiring specialised sensory informed psychological therapy.
Neurodivergent Care
We identify how ADHD or Autism interacts with your eating patterns, providing neurodiversity affirming therapy to manage food avoidance.
Pace-Led Exposure
Sustainable recovery isn't about forced eating. It happens when we gently build safety, predictability, and confidence around new foods.
Need further resources?
Whether you're waiting for your first consultation or simply want a self guided option to start, get immediate, practical frameworks with our clinical tool.
Builder
Nicole Brekalo
Clinical Lead
"Eating doesn't have to be a battle. This builder gives you the exact clinical framework to nourish your body safely."
The ARFID Meal Builder
A clinical system designed specifically for the ARFID brain. Stop staring at the fridge feeling overwhelmed, and start using the foods you already tolerate to give your body what it needs.
What's Inside The Framework:
Frequently Asked
Questions
Addressing common clinical and logistical questions regarding ARFID psychology treatment and recovery support.
What does recovery look like, and how does a psychologist help?
What does recovery look like, and how does a psychologist help?
A specialist psychologist helps address the underlying anxiety, sensory, and fear based drivers of ARFID while gently guiding food expansion through evidence based therapy. Recovery is a gradual process that starts with understanding your current safe foods, triggers, and what's maintaining the avoidance. Progress looks different for everyone: it might mean safely trying one new texture, eating comfortably in a social setting, or simply feeling less anxiety at mealtimes.
Will I (or my child) be forced to eat unsafe foods?
Will I (or my child) be forced to eat unsafe foods?
Never. Effective ARFID therapy is collaborative and pace led. We use gentle, systematic, age appropriate exposure techniques that build safety and predictability. We deeply respect your current "safe foods" while slowly building confidence to explore new textures and tastes at a pace that doesn't overwhelm the nervous system.
Do you provide ARFID therapy for children and families?
Do you provide ARFID therapy for children and families?
Yes. We work extensively with children, teens, and adults. For younger clients, we involve families in the therapy process to create a supportive home environment, utilising gentle exposure strategies and coordinating directly with your child's GP or paediatrician.
Is your therapy neurodiversity-affirming?
Is your therapy neurodiversity-affirming?
Absolutely. We recognise that ARFID frequently co-occurs with Autism and ADHD. Our psychological care is neurodiversity affirming, meaning we actively accommodate sensory processing differences, executive dysfunction, and masking exhaustion rather than trying to "fix" or suppress neurodivergent traits.
Can ARFID be effectively treated online via telehealth?
Can ARFID be effectively treated online via telehealth?
Yes, and in many cases it is preferable. Specialised online psychology sessions allow you to practise exposure work directly in your own kitchen using your familiar utensils and safe foods. Many clients find this familiar environment significantly less anxiety provoking than a traditional clinical setting.
Do I need a GP referral to see an ARFID psychologist?
Do I need a GP referral to see an ARFID psychologist?
No, you do not need a referral to book your Initial Consultation, you can access specialist support immediately. However, if you wish to claim Medicare rebates, you'll need either a Mental Health Care Plan (for general anxiety or mental health concerns) or an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDP) from your GP. We can guide you through this process during our first session together.
How do Medicare rebates work for ARFID psychology?
How do Medicare rebates work for ARFID psychology?
Under a Mental Health Care Plan, eligible clients can access up to 10 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. Under an Eating Disorder Management Plan (EDP), eligible clients can access up to 40 rebated psychology sessions per calendar year. We process your rebate after each session, with funds typically returning to your account within 24-48 hours.
Still have questions?
Our experienced intake team is available to help you find the right psychologist for your unique needs.