Monte Nido logo
Treatment
What we treat
What we treatAnorexia NervosaAtypical AnorexiaBulimia NervosaBinge Eating
See all
Who we serve
Who we serveAdolescentsAll gendersFamilies and loved onesAthletes
See more
Programs
Our programsVirtual treatmentDay treatmentResidential treatmentInpatient treatment
Admissions
AdmissionsInsurance CheckerFinancial considerationsFAQ
APPROACH
Our approachTherapeutic philosophyNutrition

Do I have an eating disorder?

This 2-minute quiz can help you see if you or your loved one might have an eating disorder.

Take the screening assessment
Locations
ArizonaArizona
CaliforniaCalifornia
ColoradoColorado
ConnecticutConnecticut
FloridaFlorida
GeorgiaGeorgia
IdahoIdaho
IllinoisIllinois
MaineMaine
MarylandMaryland
MassachusettsMassachusetts
MissouriMissouri
MontanaMontana
NevadaNevada
New HampshireNew Hampshire
New JerseyNew Jersey
New YorkNew York
North CarolinaNorth Carolina
OhioOhio
OregonOregon
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Rhode IslandRhode Island
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
TennesseeTennessee
TexasTexas
UtahUtah
VermontVermont
VirginiaVirginia
WashingtonWashington
VirtualVirtual
a map of the united states of the united states

Discover the Nearest Location

Get matched with our nearest location by sharing a bit about yourself.

Find a locationSeek virtual care
For You
For loved ones
Arrow Right
For clients & alumni
Arrow Right
Caring for loved onesVirtual support groupsResources for loved ones
For alumni
Post-treatment supportVirtual support groups for alumniResources
Documents
Request a medical record

Latest content for loved ones

See all
May 15, 2025
Causes of Body Image Issues in Adolescence
May 12, 2025
6 Facts About Binge Eating Disorder You Might Not Have Known
May 9, 2025
What to Do If You Think Your Child Has Bulimia Nervosa

Latest content for you

See all
May 19, 2025
Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
May 12, 2025
6 Facts About Binge Eating Disorder You Might Not Have Known
March 17, 2025
How a Dietitian Can Help with Eating Disorders
Placeholder
For Providers
Referrals 101
Outpatient ProvidersFacilities & Hospitals
Continuing educationMeet our Outreach Team
Refer now: Outpatient Providers
Refer now: Facilities & Hospitals

Latest content for providers

See all
May 14, 2025
Unpacking Asian American Eating Disorders and Cultural Influences
April 9, 2025
What is ARFID? Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment
March 12, 2025
Attention Needed: Navigating ADHD and Eating Disorders
About Us
About us
What Monte Nido isOur latest outcomes reportTrusted outcomesLeadershipAdvocacy
Reference
TestimonialsOur work in the newsBlog
Admissions
AdmissionsInsurance CheckerFinancial considerationsFAQ
Join
Careers
Reach out to us
888-228-1253
Reach out to us
Home
Blog
ARFID - Lessons Learned from Virtual Treatment
Home
Blog
ARFID - Lessons Learned from Virtual Treatment
For providers

ARFID - Lessons Learned from Virtual Treatment

September 27, 2024

5 min read

Amanda Smith

On September 27th, 2024, Monte Nido partnered with MEDA to host a successful Continuing Education (CE) event, featuring Amanda Smith, LICSW, LCSW, LCSW-C, CEDS, Regional Director of Virtual Programming at Monte Nido Walden. The event, titled "ARFID: Lessons Learned from Virtual Treatment," provided valuable insights into the challenges, solutions, benefits, and interventions associated with virtual treatment for individuals with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).‍

Challenges and Solutions of ARFID Virtual Treatment 

Challenge: Difficulty Observing

  • Solution 1: Ensure the device is positioned far enough to observe as much as possible.
  • Solution 2: Enlist the support of caregivers to identify early signs of distress or safety behaviors.

Challenge: Engagement Obstacles

  • Solution 1: Verify that individuals only have the device to log in and are away from video game systems, phones, etc.
  • Solution 2: Utilize short activities to quickly build rapport.

Benefits of Virtual Treatment for ARFID

  • Comfortable and Familiar Environment: Reducing stress and anxiety related to new places allows individuals to be more flexible with eating and advancing exposures throughout treatment.
  • Connections: Individuals and caregivers have the opportunity to meet others who struggle with ARFID through larger group sizes, thanks to the ability to expand the geographical net.
  • Exposures: The ability to see individuals in vivo and address safety behaviors within their homes.

ARFID Interventions

Sensory Sensitivities

  • 5 Steps to Eating: Choosing 5 foods to try in their weekly session, with the goal to interact with them all. Incorporate 1-2 foods throughout the week.
  • Fade-in: Start with larger portions of preferred food and mix in a small amount of the new food, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the preferred food with each interaction.
  • Chaining: Use preferred foods to link to new foods (e.g., apple Nutri-grain bars to applesauce to warm apple slices to cold apple slices).

Fear of Aversive Consequences

  • Education: Providing information on avoidances and the process of exposure helps reduce anxiety and build confidence in the process.
  • SUDs Scale: Individuals and families create a hierarchy using SUDs that will guide the introduction of exposures throughout treatment.

Lack of Interest

  • Eating by the Clock: Developing a routine around eating helps ensure individuals can meet nutritional needs throughout the day (e.g., alarms, visual cues).
  • Interoceptive Exposures: Induce feelings of fullness, nausea, etc., then complete highly preferred foods. This serves to reset internal scales of hunger and fullness.

Learn more about Monte Nido’s continuing education events

Monte Nido and MEDA were delighted with the engagement at this event, and we are committed to providing ongoing support and resources for individuals, families, and professionals in the eating disorder community.

Visit our Monte Nido Continuing Education website to review and register for our future CE offerings. In addition, visit MEDA Inc for more ED resources and professional training opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Most recent articles

illustration of people profiles
For you
May 19, 2025
7 min read

Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions

Read more
Young girl with headphones looking mirror taking a selfie
For loved ones
May 15, 2025
8 min read

Causes of Body Image Issues in Adolescence

Read more
For providers
May 14, 2025
10 min read

Unpacking Asian American Eating Disorders and Cultural Influences

Read more
Amanda Smith
Text Link
For providers

Everybody deserves a full life

Recovery is possible for everyone. We’re here to help you get started.
  • - -
  • Level of care client is interested in

  • By submitting this form, I agree to Monte Nido's Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

  • Should be Empty:
or call
888-228-1253
to speak confidentially with one of our eating disorders specialists to start the road to recovery.
Treatment
  • What we treat
  • Who we serve
  • Our programs
  • Admissions
  • Financial considerations
  • FAQ
  • Our approach
  • Eating disorder quiz
Locations
  • All locations
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Virtual
For You
For loved ones
  • Caring for loved ones
  • Virtual support groups
  • Resources for loved ones
For clients & alumni
  • Post-treatment support
  • Virtual support groups for alumni
  • Request a medical record
  • Resources
for providers
  • Referrals 101
  • Continuing education
  • Meet our Outreach Team
About Us
  • What Monte Nido is
  • Trusted outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Advocacy
  • Testimonials
  • Our work in the news
  • Blog
  • Glossary
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Reach out to us
  • Request a medical record
Monte Nido logo
Monte Nido Walden LogoMonte Nido Clementine LogoMonte Nido Rosewood Logo
Accredited by Joint Commission, and proud members of the Residential Eating Disorder Consortium and Eating Disorders Coalition
REDC, EDC, APA logos
888-228-1253
© 2024 Monte Nido. All rights reserved.
Accessibility Policy
Data Notification
Privacy Policy
Privacy Practices
Terms and Conditions