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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

1. Instagram: instagram.com/drmariannemiller
2. 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 offers an iPad list check-in option where clients can scan a QR code to check in, which negates the need for you to buy an iPad and stand. Go to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice and sign up for a free 14-day trial. When you do, you'll get your first month free. And don't forget to ask about our iPad list check-in option.

✨ 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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✨ Free Podcasting Workbook

Get a practical podcasting workbook for therapists considering starting a podcast, created by Patrick Casale, host of the podcasts All Things Private Practice and Divergent Conversations.

You'll get a practical structure for therapists who want to start a podcast but don’t want to rush, perform, or build something they can’t sustain.

Grab your free copy of the Podcasting Workbook: atppod.com/free-podcasting-workbook

Mentioned in this episode:

The Receptionist for iPad

I want to thank The Receptionist for iPad for sponsoring this episode. From new patients faced with an empty lobby and no idea where to find their therapist to clinicians with a session running over time and the doorbell ringing, some of the most anxiety-ridden moments of a therapy appointment happen before a session even starts. The Receptionist for iPad, helps you tackle some of that pre-appointment apprehension and anxiety. The Receptionist for iPad is an easy-to-use digital client check-in system that helps your visitors check in securely to their appointments and notify their practitioners of their arrival via SMS, email, or your preferred channel. No more confusion, and less lobby checking or having clients sign in on paper logbooks. It can even help you upgrade and update your demographic information for your clients as well and even validate parking. Start a 14-day free trial of the Receptionist for iPad by going to thereceptionist.com/privatepractice. Make sure to start your trial with that link and you'll also 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.