ABOUT
I’m a Clinical Psychologist, parent and published children’s author with a passion for helping people learn to love food. Over ten years ago I began working in the NHS with children and families affected by feeding difficulties, helping them navigate the profound impact on their medical health and overall well-being. Knowing how hard it is for families to access services, it is both a privilege and a passion for me to extend my support to individuals and families facing the challenges of selective eating and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
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​Being the parent of a child with feeding difficulties myself, I bring a personal understanding to my professional practice. Meeting each person exactly where they are in their eating journey, I prioritise going at your pace, empowering you to stay in control and make your own choices. Every feeding challenge is unique, and I will collaborate closely with you to craft strategies tailored to your specific situation, ensuring a customised and effective approach.
WHAT IS ARFID?
ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. People with ARFID can be any age, any size, and any neurotype. What they all have in common, is that they struggle to eat food in a way that keeps their body healthy. This may impact on their relationships and every day life, such as going out, going to school, or working away from home. This isn't because they are concerned about the size or shape of their body, and it isn't because of their mental health. They may struggle to eat for any one, or many, of the following reasons:
Sensory Sensitivity
Whether it's smell, taste, texture, or temperature, people with ARFID may have sensory sensitivities that make eating very challenging. It might mean they don't eat enough, or only eat a small number of foods that feel safe. If their sensory system gets overwhelmed more easily than others, for example by noisy environments, this can add further difficulties to meal times.
Lack of Interest
Everybody feels hunger and fullness differently. Some people with ARFID do not have much sensitivity when it comes to hunger and might feel full quickly. They may go long periods without eating anything at all and not feel hungry. Some people with ARFID say they just don't feel a sense of pleasure, enjoyment or satisfaction when it comes to food.
Fear of What Will Happen
Sometimes people have bad experiences with food. This could be a one time incident, like choking or being sick. It might be that a medical condition causes pain when eating, or there is the lingering fear of an allergic reaction. Some people with ARFID are afraid of what might happen when they eat.
WHO I WORK WITH
Children & Adults
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Sensory difficulties with food and eating environments
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Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
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Medical difficulties affecting eating such as allergy, gastro-intestinal disorders, previous tube feeding
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Fear or disgust when trying new food
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Seem to be “stuck” in the fussy eating stage
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Fears about eating, such as a phobia of being sick (emetophobia)
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Difficult memories of eating, such as choking in the past
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Eating challenges associated with Autism, ADHD and Neurodivergence
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These are a few examples of the kinds of problems I can help with, but not everybody fits neatly into a box! Feel free to contact me to discuss your particular needs. I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation.
Parents - New! Group Support
Combining expert knowledge with the support that comes from other people who know what you’re going through, I've joined forces with Children's Sensory Therapy UK to host a parents’ group for families living with selective eating difficulties. Click the link below to register or contact me to find out more.
25% Early Bird Discount until the end of March 2024