ARFID: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Insights into Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Online Counseling in Georgia

Do you struggle with variety in your diet, finding that you eat the same few foods every day for every meal?

Does the texture of certain foods evoke feelings of anxiety, fear, or physical symptoms like gagging or vomiting?

Do you struggle in social settings, feeling embarrassed to order at restaurants because you only eat one or two foods on the menu?

Maybe you feel that your body has never received appropriate hunger cues, leading you to lose weight unintentionally and miss out on important nutrients. All of these and more can be clues that you may be struggling with something more than run-of-the-mill picky eating. 

What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?

ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by an extreme aversion to certain foods, leading to restrictive eating patterns that can significantly impact physical health and emotional well-being. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape; instead, individuals may struggle with sensory sensitivities, fear of negative consequences from eating, or a lack of interest in food.  

What Comes Next

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with the therapist you would like to work with or fill out our potential client form here. From there, you will set up your first session, also known as an intake session. With your chosen therapist, let them know a bit about your concern, your history with past treatment, ask about our fees, and the best days and times to attend therapy sessions. 

Fees

Each therapist at Sage Counseling and Wellness has their own fee structure. When you have the initial consultation call with your therapist, you will discuss your fee with them. 

Our therapists do not participate in-network with any insurance companies. Clients pay their therapist each time they come to a session and are then emailed an insurance-compatible statement at the end of each month to send to their insurance companies for out-of-network reimbursement called a superbill. Each insurance company varies on what reimbursement they give for psychotherapy out of network. You may want to check with your insurance company to find out what they offer for psychotherapy with a therapist with your therapist’s particular licensure in Georgia.

What Can I Expect at My First Therapy Appointment?

Many people have fears, assumptions, and at times, no idea at all about what therapy will be like the first time they come in for a first session. We would also encourage you to reach out and ask your therapist any questions you have about what therapy will be like with them.

Each therapist has their own way of approaching their work. But here are some things that may happen in your first session here at Sage Counseling and Wellness:

• When you start your first online appointment, you’ll be in the virtual waiting room. 
• While you wait for your appointment, take a moment to breathe, look over any thoughts or items you’d like to share in the session, and perhaps take a restroom break beforehand so you can be fully present.
• As sessions are virtual, you can sit however you want to sit comfortably. Some clients prefer to sit at a desk, others in a comfy chair with a laptop or tablet, and some others sit on the floor on a yoga mat to stretch while in session. It’s completely up to you. 
• In your first session, your therapist will likely remind you that what you talk about in session is completely confidential with a few legal and ethical exceptions, which will be explained to you (and which are outlined in our consent to treatment document). If you have any questions about those policies, you’re encouraged to ask!
• Your therapist might discuss any other policies they have (cancellation, payment, session length, scheduling, or other ‘frequently asked questions’). This all only takes a few minutes.
• Then, depending on the level of crisis that you’re currently experiencing, your therapist might review their particular style of therapy, discuss your intake form with you, begin a more thorough assessment of your history, or just ask you what brings you in at that particular time. From there on, it’s a conversation and there are no right or wrong things for you to say — the only thing you can do ‘wrong’ at that point is to be dishonest, and in doing so you would only slow down your progress. If there is something about your therapist that seems like it would get in the way of you feeling comfortable being honest, you can say so, and your therapist may be able to help you feel more comfortable. We want you to feel comfortable and confident with your therapist. If at any time you don’t, please let them know or let the director know.
• Your therapist may or may not take notes, depending on their treatment style. These notes are also confidential unless you consent to their release, and they are kept safely in our electronic health record system.
• Therapy is a safe space to show your vulnerability so crying is perfectly acceptable.
• You’ll pay for your session at the end, generally, via your credit card on file.
• You can discuss a regular meeting time with your therapist so that this time becomes your reserved time. This helps in accountability for you to work on your progress as well.