ARFID Therapy

Online Therapy for ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

Stephanie Van Schaick, LMHC, C-DBT, CIMHP

Eating Disorder and Trauma Therapist

Helping Teens & Adults in New York and Florida Find Freedom From Fear Around Food

You’re not “just a picky eater.” You’re afraid.

Every meal feels like a battlefield. You may want to eat—maybe you’re even hungry—but something in you just won’t let it happen. The textures, smells, or look of the food make your stomach turn. You worry it will make you gag, choke, or even get sick. You’re not trying to be difficult or dramatic… you just genuinely can’t bring yourself to eat certain foods.

You may be feeling embarrassed, frustrated, or even ashamed. Other people don’t seem to get it. They tell you to “just try a bite” or that “you’ll grow out of it.” But it’s not that simple—and it never has been.

You’re tired of living this way.
Maybe you’re:

  • Stuck in a cycle of eating only a limited number of “safe” foods

  • Avoiding social events, travel, or school because of anxiety around meals

  • Losing weight or not gaining enough weight for your age and body

  • Experiencing nutritional deficiencies that are starting to affect your health

  • Watching your world get smaller because food feels like a threat instead of a source of nourishment

Whether your ARFID developed because of a traumatic choking experience, sensory sensitivities, or anxiety, one thing is clear—you didn’t choose this. And you don’t have to stay stuck in it.

My Approach to ARFID Therapy

I’m Stephanie, a licensed therapist who helps individuals 15 and older navigate complex relationships with food, body image, and self-worth. I provide online ARFID therapy in New York and Florida to clients who are ready to experience a better way of living—even if they don’t fully believe it’s possible yet.

When you work with me, you won’t be judged or pushed into something you’re not ready for. You’ll be seen as a whole person—not just your eating behaviors.

In our sessions, we’ll:

  • Explore the root of your food fears in a compassionate, non-pressuring way

  • Identify the factors (sensory, emotional, or traumatic) contributing to your avoidant patterns

  • Slowly build tolerance and expand your safe foods using evidence-based strategies

  • Reclaim a sense of control over your life, one step at a time

Many of my clients express relief after just one session—not because the problem is solved, but because they finally feel understood. That’s where healing begins.

You deserve support. You deserve to feel safe around food again.

ARFID can be incredibly isolating, but you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Whether you’re struggling to get enough nourishment, feeling emotionally exhausted, or simply don’t know where to begin, therapy can help.

You are worthy of healing. You are capable of change. And there is hope.

Online ARFID Therapy in New York and Florida
Specialized virtual support for teens and adults struggling with avoidant or restrictive eating

If you’re ready to explore a new way forward, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit. Reach out today and let’s take the first step together.

📞 Call: (631)-317-1654
📧 Email: Stateofbalancementalhealth@gmail.com
📝 Or contact me here.

My specialties include online therapy for eating disorders, Anorexia Therapy, Bulimia Therapy, Binge Eating Disorder Therapy, ARFID Therapy, Body Image Therapy and Trauma Therapy. Online eating disorder treatment Long Island, NYC and Florida. Contact us today to schedule your free phone consultation for online therapy in New York and Florida.

ARFID Therapy FAQs:

  • ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) goes beyond typical picky eating. While picky eating is common in children and often temporary, ARFID involves an intense fear or aversion to certain foods based on texture, smell, or fear of choking or vomiting. It can lead to nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and social withdrawal. ARFID is a recognized eating disorder and often requires professional support to treat.

  • ARFID therapy involves understanding the root of food aversions—whether sensory, anxiety-based, or trauma-related—and working at your pace to expand your safe foods. I use a compassionate, personalized approach that may include exposure work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and nervous system regulation techniques. Treatment is gradual, supportive, and focused on helping you feel safer and more confident around food.

  • Yes! I provide online ARFID therapy for both teens (15+) and adults in New York and Florida. While ARFID often begins in childhood, many people continue struggling into adulthood without realizing it’s a diagnosable condition. Therapy can help at any age by reducing food-related anxiety, improving nutrition, and increasing quality of life.

It is time to start feeling more confident around food. Schedule your consultation call for ARFID Therapy today.