ARFID Healing Pathway
Intensive Treatment Program for
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
The ARFID Healing Pathway at Compassionate Healing Institute is a structured, multidisciplinary treatment program designed to support children, adolescents and adults experiencing Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
​
​The CHI ARFID Recovery Pathway is informed by the principles of CBT-AR while incorporating multidisciplinary care, nutrition support, exposure-based interventions, and SPACE for ARFID family treatment.​
​
Treatment occurs over three progressive phases lasting three weeks each, with each phase building upon the progress of the previous stage, and ongoing evaluation and monitoring to determine readiness to move through the program.
​
Family involvement follows the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) for ARFID model to reduce accommodation patterns and strengthen supportive responses to anxiety.
​​
CBT-AR (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ARFID) is an evidence-based treatment approach designed to reduce food avoidance and increase flexibility with eating.
​
Treatment focuses on structured exposure-based interventions, nutrition rehabilitation, and addressing maintaining factors contributing to ARFID.
​
-
At Compassionate Healing Institute, our CHI ARFID Healing Pathway follows CBT-AR principles through:
-
Individual psychotherapy
-
Nutrition support with ARFID-informed dietitians
-
Exposure therapy
-
Family involvement using the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) model
-
Real-world eating practice and out-of-office exposures
-
​
-
Our phased treatment model helps clients gradually build confidence, increase food variety, and strengthen independence with eating.
We will guide you every step of the way!
Ready to get started?
Pre-Treatment Phase:
Getting Started
​
Before starting the CHI ARFID Recovery Pathway, we help make sure clients are ready for outpatient treatment.
​
This Phase May Include:
-
A consultation call with our team
-
Lab work or medical forms, if needed
-
Connecting with a Primary Care Physician (PCP)
-
Review of treatment expectations and program fit
-
Coordination with other providers when appropriate
​​
Goal
To ensure clients are medically stable and ready to begin treatment.
Initial Assessment Phase
Duration: 1 Week
​
During this phase, we complete a comprehensive assessment to better understand each client’s ARFID symptoms, treatment needs, and appropriate level of care.
​
This Phase Includes:
-
Psychological and diagnostic assessments
-
Nutritional assessment and dietary history review
-
Evaluation of food fears, avoidance patterns, and related anxiety
-
Family and environmental assessment when appropriate
​​
Outcome:
-
Personalized treatment recommendations
-
Initial treatment goals
-
Determination of whether outpatient treatment is appropriate
​​
Goal
To create an individualized treatment plan and determine the best path forward.
9 - Week Treatment Structure
A treatment program developed to match your unique needs
Phase 1: Foundations & Assessment
Duration: 3 Weeks
​
The Foundations & Assessment Phase focuses on building structure, increasing understanding of ARFID, and preparing clients for more advanced exposure-based work.
​
Components Include:
-
Weekly individual psychotherapy sessions
-
Weekly nutrition counseling sessions
-
Weekly exposure sessions
-
Family sessions utilizing the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) model
-
Exposure therapy​
​​
Goal:
Build safety, structure, and readiness for active food expansion work.
Phase 2: Food Expansion & Skill Building
Duration: 3 weeks​
​
The Food Expansion & Skill Building Phase focuses on actively reducing food avoidance and increasing flexibility with eating through structured exposure work.
​
Components Include:
-
Weekly individual psychotherapy sessions
-
Weekly nutrition counseling sessions
-
Two exposure sessions per week
-
Ongoing SPACE sessions
-
Cognitive and behavioral strategies to challenge food-related fears
-
Continued collaboration between therapist and dietitian
-
Out-of-office exposures begin in this phase
​
Goal:
Increase flexibility with food while strengthening confidence and coping skills.
​
Phase 3: Integration & Independence
Duration: 3 Weeks
​
The Integration & Independence Phase focuses on helping clients generalize treatment gains to daily life while increasing autonomy and long-term sustainability.
​
Components Include:
-
Weekly individual psychotherapy sessions
-
Continued exposure sessions
-
Nutrition sessions as clinically indicated
-
Family support focused on long-term maintenance and independence
-
Relapse prevention planning
-
Out-of-office exposure
-
Community-based eating experiences
-
Ongoing real-world eating practice ​
​​
Goal:
Increased independence and confidence with eating. Support long-term recovery through increased flexibility, independence, and confidence with eating.
Ongoing Maintenance Phase
​Duration: Individualized / As Clinically Indicated
The Ongoing Maintenance Phase is designed to support long-term recovery, reinforce treatment gains, and help individuals maintain flexibility and confidence with eating over time.
​
Components May Include:
-
Individual psychotherapy sessions as clinically indicated
-
Ongoing nutrition counseling and meal support
-
Booster exposure sessions to prevent relapse and maintain flexibility
-
Continued family support utilizing the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) model when appropriate
-
Periodic review and adjustment of recovery goals
-
Monitoring of eating patterns, anxiety, and nutritional adequacy
​
Maintenance Focus Areas:
-
Reinforcing progress with food variety and flexibility
-
Maintaining independence with meals and eating situations
-
Navigating setbacks, stressors, or life transitions
-
Continued reduction of avoidance and safety behaviors
-
Strengthening confidence in social and community eating environments
-
Supporting long-term emotional and nutritional wellness
​​
Goal:
Promote long-term recovery, resilience, and continued confidence with eating while providing ongoing support as needed.
