This course is a live, interactive webinar held on May 16, 2025, from 12pm-3:20pm Eastern Daylight Time.
Registration closes at midnight (EDT) the day before the event
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a lesser-known but increasingly recognized eating disorder formally introduced in the DSM-5. Unlike typical picky eating, ARFID is characterized by persistent difficulties in consuming an adequate volume and variety of foods, often leading to nutritional deficiencies and other medical complications. In addition to restrictive eating patterns, individuals with ARFID frequently experience significant emotional distress related to eating and digestion, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary interventions that go beyond simple nutritional restoration.
This workshop is designed for mental health professionals seeking a deeper understanding of ARFID and its treatment. Participants will learn how to differentiate ARFID from other eating and feeding disorders, recognize its diverse presentations across the lifespan, and navigate key considerations for differential diagnosis. The training will also explore the cognitive, sensory, and emotional factors driving food avoidance, as well as the systemic and relational influences that impact treatment. Drawing from evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Family-Based Interventions, attendees will gain practical strategies to help clients expand their food variety, reduce avoidance behaviors, and develop a healthier, more sustainable relationship with eating. Case examples will illustrate the various subtypes of ARFID and demonstrate how to implement evidence-based techniques effectively in clinical practice.
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.
Schedule: (listed in Eastern Daylight Time)
- 12:00 pm - 12:55 pm Lecture
- 12:55 pm - 1:00 pm Q&A
- 1:00 pm - 1:05 pm Break
- 1:05 pm - 1:45 pm Lecture
- 1:45 pm - 1:50 pm Break
- 1:50 pm - 2:00 pm Q&A
- 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Lecture
- 2:30 pm - 2:35 pm Break
- 2:35 pm - 2:40 pm Q&A
- 2:40 pm - 3:10 pm Lecture
- 3:10 pm - 3:20 pm Q&A
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a live, interactive webinar. Enrollment includes access to live event(s) but does not include recordings of the presentations.
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Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C
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).
Disclosure Statement: The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 3 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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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:
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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 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.
Psychologists:
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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 180 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 course is an-interactive, live online webinar.
Participants may request a printed version of their certificate of completion to be delivered by mail. A shipping/handling fee of $6.95 will be charged per request. Shipping internationally may require an additional charge.
By registering for this event you are agreeing to the following:
24 hour notice is required if you are not able to make it to a live event. Recordings are not provided to webinar registrants.
To update and test using Zoom.us/test before the event to ensure you are ready for the event.
Since this is a live interactive event it means that your interaction during the event is expected. Your name and image will be visible to other participants during the live event. You will NOT be included in any recording made.
An evaluation must be completed within one week of the event. Continuing Education credit(s) cannot be issued unless you attend the event and the evaluation is submitted. (Evaluation is not mandatory for APA hours)
Partial CE credits are not possible; therefore you are required to be present throughout the event in order to receive CE credits.
Respect all other participants during the event as though you would if you were sitting with the other attendees at a conference table:
- Dress appropriately
- Be in a private location void of distractions
- Do not multitask
- Do not drive during an event
- Remain on mute unless you are sharing with the group
Closed captioning is offered for all live webinar participants.
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