At Layers Counseling Specialists, we help children, teens, and adults across Collin County overcome Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Whether it’s a fear of choking at family dinners in Legacy West, severe picky eating at Plano ISD lunch tables, or sensory aversions that make mealtimes stressful, our specialized therapy offers real solutions. Proudly serving Plano, Frisco, and Allen since 2018, we're known for our expert, compassionate care for ARFID and related eating challenges.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) affects individuals of all ages—but here in North Texas, its impact often shows up in surprising ways. Many of our Plano clients describe:
The good news? ARFID is treatable. With the right support, clients at our Plano office have made meaningful progress, expanding their diets and easing food-related anxiety through research-backed therapy.
We use proven therapeutic methods to help clients with ARFID expand their food variety and reduce meal-time anxiety:
ERP is the gold standard for reducing food-related fear. We gently introduce new foods in a step-by-step process, sometimes using local settings like neighborhood cafes or grocery stores to practice real-life eating scenarios.
CBT helps clients reframe unhelpful thoughts about food (e.g., “I’ll choke if I eat this”) and gradually shift toward more balanced, flexible thinking around eating.
ACT is powerful for clients stuck in fear-avoidance cycles. We teach them to make food decisions based on values—like health or shared family meals—rather than anxiety.
All ARFID treatment plans include:
✓ Nutritional psychoeducation
✓ Parent/caregiver collaboration (especially for kids/teens)
✓ Progress tracking with tailored food goals
✓ Sensory integration strategies when appropriate
This multimodal, research-backed approach allows clients to not only expand their diets—but reclaim their freedom around food.
At Layers Counseling Specialists, our ARFID therapy is tailored to each client’s age, developmental needs, and family dynamics:
We support young clients in expanding their food choices, managing fear-based reactions, and reducing stress at school, mealtimes, and social events—without shame or pressure.
Whether ARFID has been lifelong or emerged recently, we help adults challenge rigid eating patterns, manage anxiety, and build a more flexible relationship with food.
We empower families with the tools and knowledge to support their child’s progress, creating low-pressure, supportive meal environments at home.
Why Choose Our Plano Practice?
While many therapists may address eating concerns, Layers Counseling Specialists offers specialized, targeted care for ARFID:
Our clinicians have advanced training in feeding and eating disorders, sensory integration, and exposure-based therapies specific to ARFID. We go far beyond general therapy to deliver expert, evidence-based care.
We understand how ARFID shows up in North Texas life—whether it’s school lunchroom challenges, high-expectation sports culture, or social gatherings built around food. Our local insight helps us design therapy that works in real life.
