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

Description

This course does not offer CE Credits. The same course is available for purchase and offers 3 clinical CE hours for behavioral health clinicians.  See "related products" below.

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 program and consists of 3.5 hours of video instruction, and an evaluation.

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

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

This course does not offer CE credits, just great content.

The same course is available for purchase and offers 3.5 CE hours for behavioral health clinicians. See "related products" below.

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

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.

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