Beyond Picky Eating: Understanding and Treating Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Clinical Practice
May 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
Join us for a Live Webinar
3 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is more than just picky eating—it’s a complex and often misunderstood eating disorder that can significantly impact an individual’s health and well-being. Mental health professionals play a crucial role in identifying and addressing ARFID, but many lack the specialized training to do so effectively.
This course provides an essential framework for understanding ARFID, equipping clinicians with practical strategies to support clients struggling with this condition. Through expert instruction and real-world case examples, attendees will gain confidence in recognizing ARFID’s diverse presentations and implementing targeted interventions.
Dr. Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-S, brings extensive experience in eating disorder treatment, training, and supervision. As the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders and co-author of The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity, Dr. Smith is a recognized expert in the field. Her expertise ensures that participants receive evidence-based, clinically sound strategies for treating ARFID.
This course will explore key diagnostic considerations, the cognitive and emotional factors influencing food avoidance, and evidence-based interventions, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Family-Based Therapy (FBT). Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to develop individualized exposure hierarchies and help clients build a healthier relationship with food.
Instructor
Melanie Smith, Ph.D., LMHC, CEDS-S, is the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders. In this role, she provides ongoing training, supervision, and consultation to clinicians across disciplines for the purpose of continually assessing and improving competence in the treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Smith is co-author of The Renfrew Unified Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity Therapist Guide and Workbook (Oxford University Press), is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Supervisor, and is a Certified Therapist and Trainer for the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). In addition to her work with the Renfrew Center, Dr. Smith maintains a telehealth private practice specializing in the supervision and consultation of registered mental health counselor interns (Florida) and individuals seeking eating disorder specialist certification through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp).
Key Takeaways:
- Differentiate ARFID subtypes: Learn to recognize and distinguish between the three clinical subtypes of ARFID.
- Utilize exposure-based strategies: Understand the rationale behind exposure therapy and how to apply it in treatment.
- Develop personalized treatment plans: Gain skills in creating individualized exposure hierarchies to help clients overcome food avoidance.
Why this course?
- Expert-led training: Dr. Smith’s extensive experience in eating disorder treatment provides clinicians with credible, high-quality education.
- Evidence-based interventions: Learn practical, research-backed strategies that can be applied immediately in clinical settings.
- Comprehensive approach: Address the psychological, sensory, and systemic factors contributing to ARFID, ensuring a well-rounded treatment perspective.
Learning Objectives:
- Define and differentiate the three clinical subtypes of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
- Explain the rationale for the use of exposure-based strategies in the treatment of ARFID.
- Develop an individualized exposure hierarchy based on an ARFID case example.
By attending this course, clinicians will gain the skills needed to navigate the complexities of ARFID treatment with greater confidence and effectiveness. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise and provide better care for clients facing food avoidance challenges.
Credit Hours: CEs provided with this live webinar include 3 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors: Telehealth Certification Institute LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
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This is a live, interactive online webinar.
Register for the webinar by midnight before the event. So that we can provide you these CEs, you are required to:
- login and access the direct link to the webinar through your account
- participate fully during the event
- complete a post-test and course evaluation at the conclusion of the event
- collect your certificate of completion on your account after steps 1-3 are completed
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When possible, webinars are recorded and converted into online self-study courses, available for separate purchase/enrollment for those who did not attend the live event.