ARFID Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia
Do certain foods feel impossible to eat, even when you want to?
We'll work together to understand what the avoidance may be protecting you from, explore the emotions and experiences underlying it, and gradually build your tolerance for discomfort. Together, we'll expand what feels manageable and safe around food so that eating becomes less overwhelming and less limiting in your everyday life.
Clinically Reviewed by Our Certified Eating Disorder Specialists (CEDS)
What is AFRID?
The NIH describes Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) as an eating disorder marked by significant limits on how much or what a person eats, without the body image concerns typically seen in anorexia or bulimia. Avoidance often comes from sensory sensitivities, a fear of what might happen when eating, or simply a low interest in food. ARFID can feel isolating and hard to explain to others, but it isn’t impossible to work through.
Because the eating is so limited, ARFID can lead to physical effects like weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. It often takes a social and emotional toll too, such as avoiding meals with others, feeling anxious around new foods, or organizing your day around what feels safe to eat.
ARFID can follow a frightening experience with food, like choking or vomiting, and it commonly appears alongside anxiety, autism, and ADHD. We believe the avoidance has served a purpose, often keeping you safe from something that once felt overwhelming. That’s why we focus on understanding what it’s been protecting you from, building tolerance for discomfort, and gently widening what feels safe.
Who Is ARFID Therapy For?
We work with clients experiencing AFRID in any form.
You may relate if:
- You eat a small list of "safe" foods and feel anxious when they aren't available
- Certain tastes, textures, or smells feel overwhelming, not just unpleasant
- You avoid eating out of fear of choking, vomiting, or pain
- You forget to eat, feel full fast, or find food more of a chore than a need
- You dread meals with others, or skip social plans that involve food
J Lewis Therapy is an Inclusive Therapy Practice.
We serve clients of multiple marginalized identities honoring the diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences each person brings into the room.
Ages & Stages
- Adolescents 14+
- College-Age
- Adults in Their 20s & 30s
- Midlife Adults
- Older Adults
Backgrounds & Identities
- Races
- Genders
- LGBTQIA+
- Religions
ARFID Therapists at J Lewis Therapy
Real change takes real time. We're here for the long haul.
Our team includes clinicians trained in eating disorder treatment, bringing our shared long-term, psychodynamic approach to every session.
Our Approach to ARFID Therapy
ARFID isn't like other eating disorders, and we don't treat it as if it were.
The fear, sensory discomfort, or lack of interest in food behind it often calls for a more behavioral approach, at least at first. So we start by understanding what's going on for you, then decide together whether deeper relational work, a more behavioral focus, or a mix of both will help most.
Collaboration for AFRID
We also don't do this alone. ARFID treatment works best with a team, so we collaborate closely with dietitians, physicians, and other providers to make sure your care covers both your relationship with food and what your body needs.
Long-Term Therapy
We also believe that, for best, long-lasting change, therapy is a long-term commitment. When you commit to putting in the work to rethink the complexities of food, body, and your past, you can emerge with a balanced approach to food and your past experiences.
Two Atlanta offices — or wherever you are virtually.
Step inside our spaces —
a place for healing work.
Whether you meet with us in person or online, you’ll find a calm, private space built for the honest, long-term work of therapy. We offer individual, couples, family, and group sessions at our Sandy Springs and Decatur offices, and by telehealth.
Getting Started with ARFID Therapy: What to Expect
Intake Form
Complete your intake form — a short online form before your first session.
Attend Your First Session
A one-hour session, getting to know each other, your goals, and why now feels like the right time.
Ongoing Sessions
Begin long-term, relational therapy with ongoing sessions that run 45 minutes.
Secure Payments
Payment Handled Securely — a card is kept on file through our secure system.
Frequently Asked Questions About ARFID Therapy
No. Many kids go through a picky phase and grow out of it. ARFID is more persistent and more limiting. It can affect nutrition, energy, growth, and daily life, and it often comes with real fear or distress around food.
Yes. ARFID was only added to the DSM-5 in 2013, so many adults grew up without a diagnosis and were simply told they were "picky." It's common for adults to find us after years of quietly working around it.
It often overlaps with them, especially anxiety and sensory sensitivities, but it doesn't have to.
If You Need Immediate Support for ARFID
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder or a complex relationship with food and needs help finding care right now, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline is free and staffed by licensed therapists: 866-662-1235 (Monday–Friday, 9am–7pm EST).
Ready to Start Therapy for ARFID in Atlanta, Georgia?
Life is too short to stay stuck in a pattern that doesn't serve you.
Book a free 10-minute consultation, and we'll help you find the right clinician for where you are.
Email jill@jlewistherapy.com or call 347-718-2681.
