Beyond Picky Eating: Understanding and Treating Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Clinical Practice

Description

When a child refuses to eat more than a handful of foods, the consequences can go far beyond frustration at the dinner table. Left unaddressed, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can spiral into serious medical, psychological, and emotional complications—yet many clinicians miss the warning signs entirely.

This compelling course sheds light on the complexities of ARFID and equips behavioral health professionals with actionable, evidence-based tools to make meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families affected by this often-misunderstood eating disorder.

Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, brings decades of expertise in treating complex eating disorders, anxiety conditions, and chronic illness to this dynamic self-study course. A Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and co-author of The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity, Dr. Smith’s clinical insight and real-world experience offer clinicians the practical skills they need to confidently assess and treat ARFID.

Through a clear and compassionate lens, Dr. Smith introduces participants to leading-edge treatment strategies grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory and exposure-based interventions. Her transdiagnostic approach emphasizes flexibility, personalization, and engagement with clients and caregivers alike.

Participants will explore the biological, psychological, and environmental underpinnings of ARFID; the nuances between its subtypes (Sensory Sensitivity, Fear of Aversive Consequences, and Lack of Interest in Food); and the intersection of ARFID with co-occurring diagnoses such as anxiety, OCD, and autism spectrum conditions. Clinicians will also gain tools for screening, differential diagnosis, collaborative treatment planning, and the development of individualized exposure hierarchies.

Key Takeaways:

• Differentiate ARFID subtypes with clinical confidence: Learn to recognize the hallmark features of each subtype and how they shape assessment and intervention.

• Use exposure-based strategies effectively: Gain clarity on why, when, and how to implement exposure therapy techniques that lead to meaningful progress.

• Develop customized treatment hierarchies: Walk through real-world case examples that demonstrate how to build and apply step-by-step exposure plans.

Why this course?

• Expert-led instruction: Taught by a nationally recognized ARFID specialist, this course translates cutting-edge research into tools you can use immediately.

• Evidence-based and ethically grounded: Designed in alignment with professional ethics codes and regulatory expectations to ensure the highest standard of care.

• Made for your practice: Whether you’re in private practice, school-based counseling, or an integrated care setting, the strategies taught here are adaptable, effective, and deeply needed.

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.

Gain the clarity and confidence to assess and treat ARFID with clinical excellence and compassion. Join us in this self-paced training and discover how much of a difference you can make—one bite, one session, one client at a time.

Enroll today to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 210 minutes of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C

Melanie Smith (she/her) is a therapist in private practice at CBT of Central & South Florida (https://cbtcentralflorida.com) and a Consulting Clinical Training Specialist for the Renfrew Center. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida. Additionally, she is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) and is a Certified Therapist & Trainer of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). Special treatment interests include Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction such as Rumination Syndrome, OCD, phobias including emetophobia, health-related anxiety, and coping with chronic pain & chronic illness.

Dr. Smith is passionate about the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments, clinical supervision, and clinical training and has presented numerous lectures, workshops, and Keynote presentations at academic and professional conferences nationally and internationally. She has co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals and is co-author of the peer-reviewed treatment manual and patient workbook, The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity, published by Oxford University Press.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 3.5 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. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3.5 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 10/15/2025. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

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.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 210 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement