Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Treatment in FL

We are one of the few treatment centers with ARFID Certified Dietitians and Specialists, ensuring that we offer highly specialized care tailored specifically to those with ARFID.

(ARFID) Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder’s physical toll, from malnutrition and impaired growth to bone loss and immune weakness, requires a multidisciplinary approach. ViaMar Health delivers precisely this: an integrated plan of evaluation, dietitian‑led planning, therapy, and structured exposure/management strategies designed to restore health, improve behavior, and support enduring recovery.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Growth Challenges

• ARFID often leads to malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, anemia, and fatigue, due to insufficient intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and calories.
• In children and adolescents, this can translate to delayed growth, hampered puberty, and failure to thrive, disrupting healthy development .

Sensory Avoidances and GI Symptoms

• Many individuals avoid foods based on texture, smell, or taste, causing severely limited diets.
• This can result in gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, or general digestive issues.

Complications: Bone Health & Immune Function

• Prolonged undernutrition can weaken bones, increasing risk of osteoporosis and fractures in later life .
• It may also compromise immune function, making individuals more vulnerable to common illnesses.

Co-occurring Conditions that Compound Risk

• ARFID frequently coexists with anxiety disorders, ADHD, and depression, complicating screening and diagnosis
• Medications for ADHD, for instance, may suppress appetite, further increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies

Therapeutic Approach at ViaMar Health

ViaMar’s integrated care model addresses ARFID’s physical effects through:

Comprehensive Assessment & Diagnosis

A dietitian, and doctor collaborate in evaluation, reviewing height/weight trends, DSM‑5 criteria, eating patterns, and physical symptoms like weight loss, dizziness, or pain.

Tailored Nutritional Strategies

• Personalized meal planning with a dietitian to ensure adequate variety, volume, and nutrient intake.
• Use of supplements or tube feeding in severe cases to correct deficiencies and support weight gain.

Targeted Behavioral Therapies

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT‑AR) and Family-Based Therapy (FBT) are used to tackle feared behaviors, expand sensory tolerance, and improve eating patterns
• Exposure techniques introduce new foods gradually—by texture, taste, or smell—helping build tolerance and reduce anxiety.

Management, Monitoring, and Planning

• Ongoing counseling, therapy, and support services help maintain progress, set realistic goals, and reinforce coping strategies.
• Regular planning with families ensures continued support between sessions and at meals.

Real-World Impact on Patients

ViaMar care leads to tangible improvements in physical health and overall functioning:

• Restored appetite, enhanced energy, and better digestion.
• Reversal of anemia, improvements in bone density, and stabilized weight.
• Growth in behavioral progress, increased comfort with food textures, and a healthier relationship with meals.

Research & Evolving Practice

• Literature highlights that CBT‑AR sees about 40% remission in ARFID patients—especially effective in children and teens when combined with family engagement
• Awareness of ARFID in the DSM‑5 (2013) and updates in ICD‑11 (2022) have improved screening, expanding access to early intervention and specialized care

Yes, we are in-network with most insurance providers throughout the United States to make treatment accessible to as many individuals as possible.
Please contact us to verify your insurance coverage and learn more about your options.

At ViaMar Health, family members, especially parents, play a vital role in the treatment of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Their care model emphasizes a multidisciplinary, whole-person approach, and parental involvement is not only encouraged but considered essential. Families are viewed as key partners in the recovery process, helping to create a supportive and consistent environment that reinforces treatment goals both in and outside of clinical settings.

Parents are integrated directly into the treatment process through structured family therapy sessions, educational groups, and individualized support plans. Family therapy helps parents understand the nuances of ARFID and teaches communication strategies that foster calm and productive mealtimes. These sessions provide opportunities to explore the emotional and behavioral patterns surrounding food while helping families collaborate with clinicians to address challenges unique to their child’s experience. Weekly support groups also give parents a space to learn from professionals and one another, reinforcing shared learning and resilience.

ViaMar equips parents with practical strategies grounded in their evidence-based approach, including methods from Family-Based Therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques. This reduces pressure while encouraging exposure to a broader variety of foods. Parents also learn how to support gradual food exposure at home, especially for children with sensitivities to textures, smells, or appearance. This step-by-step exposure is designed to be non-coercive, positive, and empowering, helping the child develop confidence and flexibility around eating.

The program also emphasizes the importance of modeling calm behavior and avoiding pressure or bribery, which can worsen food refusal. Instead, parents are trained to provide consistent support, recognize emotional triggers, and foster a predictable mealtime environment. Education around sensory integration, emotional regulation, and the anxiety often underlying ARFID further equips families to respond with patience and understanding. This psychoeducation is especially valuable in preventing power struggles and sustaining progress made in treatment.

Through collaboration with ViaMar’s multidisciplinary team, including therapists, dietitians, and medical providers, parents help bridge the gap between clinical care and daily life. They reinforce nutritional goals set by the care team, maintain consistent routines, and are actively involved in relapse prevention planning. Ultimately, ViaMar’s model recognizes that sustainable recovery from ARFID happens not just in therapy rooms but through the daily involvement of supportive caregivers. By empowering parents with the right tools, knowledge, and guidance, ViaMar helps families become strong allies in their child’s recovery journey.

We offer dedicated treatment programs for both adolescents and adults, with age-appropriate care to meet their unique needs.

Contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss the best treatment options for you or your loved one.

ViaMar Health’s Virtual Treatment (Telehealth) program ensures that patients across the entire state of Florida can access comprehensive, high-quality care without the need to travel. Utilizing secure video conferencing and digital platforms, ViaMar’s multidisciplinary treatment team, including therapists, psychiatrists, registered dietitians, and care coordinators, delivers personalized therapy, meal support, and group sessions directly to your home. This remote option is ideal for those with mobility issues, transportation barriers, or who live in areas without nearby facilities, enabling care in a familiar environment to better address triggers and enhance real-life application of treatment tools.

This service extends to residents in a wide range of Florida cities, from major metropolitan areas to smaller communities. Whether you’re in West Palm Beach, Orlando, Jacksonville, or somewhere more rural like Haines City or Okeechobee, ViaMar’s Telehealth program is structured to ensure consistent, secure, and compassionate support, tailored to your unique needs.

For those who prefer or require face-to-face interaction, ViaMar Health also offers in-person care at its West Palm Beach location and supports residents throughout Florida who are able to travel for treatment. This dual approach allows flexibility while ensuring that every individual receives the appropriate level of care, whether virtual or on-site.

Below is a comprehensive list of Florida cities where Virtual Treatment is available: