In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Marianne Miller break down critical myths about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and offer practical, compassionate approaches for clinicians, parents, and anyone supporting neurodivergent folks with eating challenges.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

ARFID is not “picky eating”: Labeling someone as a “picky eater” implies willfulness or stubbornness, when ARFID is in fact a complex, involuntary experience often tied to sensory processing and interoceptive cues.
A collaborative, sensory-affirming approach matters: Treating ARFID requires asking nuanced questions about sensory preferences, hunger awareness, and family dynamics. Pressure, shame, and coercion do more harm than good—compassion and understanding are the foundation of effective support.
Education is essential—for providers and families: Ongoing education and unlearning old beliefs is vital. There are fantastic resources and training for therapists, parents, and adults living with ARFID to build understanding and empathy.

More about Dr. Marianne:

Dr. Marianne is a licensed therapist with nearly 30 years in mental health and 13 years specializing in eating disorders. She spent 12 years as a full-time academic before moving into full-time private practice in 2018. She is the host of the Dr. Marianne-Land podcast and creates online education, including her ARFID and Selective Eating course. Her work centers a non-diet, liberation-focused, Health at Every Size (HAES®) approach and supports people of all genders and neurotypes. She is neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Instagram: instagram.com/drmariannemiller
ARFID and Selective Eating Course: drmariannemiller.com/arfid

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Thanks to Our Sponsors: The Receptionist for iPad & Portland, Maine, Summit 2026!

✨ The Receptionist for iPad

Thanks to The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode.

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

✨ Portland, Maine, Summit 2026

The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here: empoweredescapes.com/portland-maine-summit

Doubt yourself. Do it anyway. See you in Maine.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

The Receptionist for iPad is a HIPAA-ready digital check-in system that eliminates the need to walk back and forth from your office to the waiting room to see if your next appointment has arrived. Clients or patients can check in for their appointments, and you'll be immediately notified by text, email, or your preferred channel. Break free from interruptions and make the most of your time, because it is valuable. Start a free 14-day trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to https://thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link to get your first month free if you decide to sign up.

Portland, Maine, Summit 2026

The 2026 Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway Summit is happening for the first time in the United States in beautiful Portland, Maine, on September 1st–3rd, 2026. Portland, Maine, is a beautiful coastal city in the Atlantic Ocean. There's a lot of history there, and it's a very funky, creative, safe, walkable, diverse, and progressive city. You will get 9 NBCC CEs. We have ASWB pending—we'll make an announcement when that's finalized—and have 13 prolific industry leaders. This summit has always been about showing that our skills are applicable in so many different ways, and to motivate you to think bigger, grow in this profession, take more risks, work through self-doubt, and really embrace the doubt-yourself-do-it-anyway mentality. Spots are limited. Reserve your spot here: https://www.empoweredescapes.com/portland-maine-summit Doubt yourself. Do it anyway. See you in Maine.