Eating should be straightforward, but for many people living with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), food brings fear instead of comfort. ARFID is not simply “picky eating.” It’s an eating disorder that can seriously affect nutrition, confidence, and daily life.
In Adelaide and across South Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide funding for counselling to support participants with ARFID. Through counselling, participants can reduce anxiety, build confidence, and gradually improve their relationship with food.
This article explains what ARFID is, how counselling helps, and how NDIS participants — particularly those with self-managed plans — can access support in Adelaide.
What Is ARFID?
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves:
Avoiding certain foods due to sensory sensitivities (taste, smell, texture, or appearance)
Restricting food intake because of fear of choking, vomiting, or illness
Experiencing anxiety or panic at mealtimes
Eating such a limited diet that health, growth, or social participation is affected
ARFID is different from other eating disorders because it is not related to body image or weight concerns. It often co-exists with autism, ADHD, or anxiety conditions and can affect people of all ages.
How ARFID Affects Daily Living
ARFID can significantly reduce quality of life and independence. Participants often face:
Nutritional challenges – limited food choices can lead to health concerns and low energy
Social isolation – avoiding school lunches, work functions, or family meals
Stressful mealtimes – conflict or anxiety during eating situations
Emotional strain – feelings of frustration, guilt, or grief about restricted eating
Reduced independence – needing extra support to manage meals or prepare safe foods
These impacts directly connect to NDIS goals around daily living, independence, and participation.
Counselling for ARFID: How It Helps
Counselling does not push participants into eating foods they fear. Instead, it provides a gentle, supportive environment to explore and work through the emotions connected to food and mealtimes.
Counselling for ARFID may focus on:
Reducing anxiety at mealtimes with relaxation and grounding techniques
Building confidence in making food-related choices
Supporting trauma recovery where past experiences have led to fear around eating
Improving family dynamics by reducing conflict during meals
Creating resilience so participants can handle gradual change at a safe pace
Even small steps — like sitting more calmly at the table or trying one new food — can create meaningful progress.
Where Counselling Fits in the NDIS
Counselling for ARFID is typically funded under:
Capacity Building Supports → Improved Daily Living
This category is designed to help participants build functional skills and independence. Because ARFID impacts both daily functioning and emotional wellbeing, counselling is a recognised support within this area.
Accessing ARFID Counselling in Adelaide with Self-Managed Plans
Self-managed NDIS participants have the greatest flexibility to choose counselling for ARFID. This is important because ARFID is a specialised condition, and many registered providers may not offer tailored support.
With self-management, you can:
Choose a counsellor who understands ARFID, anxiety, and trauma
Avoid long waitlists tied to registered providers
Access face-to-face sessions in Adelaide or online sessions across South Australia
Decide how often and how long you want counselling to continue
Claim counselling costs easily by submitting invoices through the myplace portal
Step-by-Step: How to Use NDIS Funding for ARFID Counselling
Check your NDIS plan goals
Make sure your plan includes goals around emotional wellbeing, independence, or improved daily living.Find the right counsellor
Look for someone experienced with ARFID, trauma, or anxiety. Self-management allows you to choose freely.Book your session
Arrange an initial appointment to discuss needs and set goals.Pay your invoice
Invoices should include participant details, NDIS number, session date and length, and the category “Improved Daily Living.”Claim reimbursement
Upload the invoice to the NDIS myplace portal for funds to be returned.
Benefits of ARFID Counselling for Families
ARFID affects not only participants but also families and carers. Counselling provides:
Practical strategies for parents and carers to reduce mealtime conflict
Shared understanding of the challenges ARFID creates
Guidance on how to support progress without applying pressure
Improved family wellbeing through calmer mealtime routines
Real-Life Outcomes from ARFID Counselling
Counselling can create meaningful change for participants and families. For example:
A young child with sensory sensitivities learns calming techniques, reducing panic during meals.
A teenager with fear of choking gradually adds new safe foods, improving nutrition and confidence.
An adult with ARFID and ADHD develops emotional regulation skills that ease mealtime stress.
Parents learn new ways to support their child, reducing conflict and building a calmer home environment.
My Approach to ARFID Counselling in Adelaide
I specialise in supporting self-managed NDIS participants who are living with ARFID, trauma, and anxiety. My approach is:
Gentle and non-judgmental – progress is always paced to the participant’s comfort
Focused on emotional wellbeing – addressing the root fears behind ARFID
Family-inclusive – involving carers when needed to create shared strategies
Aligned with NDIS – clear, compliant invoicing under Improved Daily Living for easy claiming
Final Thoughts
ARFID can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to define your daily life. With counselling, participants can build confidence around food, reduce anxiety, and improve their independence. For self-managed NDIS participants in Adelaide and South Australia, you have the freedom to access specialised ARFID counselling that meets your needs.
📞 Contact me today to learn how NDIS counselling in Adelaide can support participants and families living with ARFID.
Frequently Asked Questions: ARFID Counselling and NDIS Funding in Adelaide
This FAQ section answers common questions about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), how counselling supports people living with ARFID, and how NDIS participants in Adelaide and South Australia can access funded support.
What is ARFID and how is it different from picky eating?
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a recognised eating disorder that goes beyond typical picky eating. People with ARFID avoid or restrict food due to sensory sensitivities (such as taste, texture, smell, or appearance), fear of choking or vomiting, or intense anxiety around mealtimes. Unlike picky eating, ARFID can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, social isolation, and reduced independence. It is also distinct from other eating disorders because it is not driven by body image or weight concerns.
Does the NDIS fund counselling for ARFID in Australia?
Yes. The NDIS can fund counselling for ARFID under Capacity Building Supports, specifically the Improved Daily Living category. Because ARFID directly impacts daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, and independence, counselling is a recognised and fundable support. Self-managed NDIS participants have the most flexibility when choosing a counsellor who specialises in ARFID.
How does counselling help someone with ARFID?
Counselling for ARFID does not force participants to eat foods they fear. Instead, it provides a safe, supportive environment to work through the emotions and anxiety connected to food. Counselling may include reducing mealtime anxiety through relaxation and grounding techniques, building confidence in food-related decisions, supporting trauma recovery where past experiences have created fear around eating, improving family dynamics during meals, and developing resilience so participants can handle gradual change at their own pace.
Can self-managed NDIS participants access ARFID counselling in Adelaide?
Yes. Self-managed NDIS participants in Adelaide and across South Australia have full flexibility to choose a counsellor who understands ARFID, anxiety, and trauma. Self-management allows participants to avoid long waitlists associated with registered providers, access face-to-face sessions in Adelaide or online sessions state-wide, and choose how often and how long they want to continue counselling.
What NDIS category does ARFID counselling fall under?
ARFID counselling is typically funded under Capacity Building Supports in the Improved Daily Living category. This category is designed to help participants develop functional skills and independence. Invoices should reference this category when claiming reimbursement through the NDIS myplace portal.
How do I claim NDIS funding for ARFID counselling?
To claim NDIS funding for ARFID counselling, first confirm your NDIS plan includes goals related to emotional wellbeing, independence, or improved daily living. Then find a counsellor experienced with ARFID, trauma, or anxiety. After each session, ensure your invoice includes your participant details, NDIS number, session date and duration, and the category "Improved Daily Living." Upload the invoice to the NDIS myplace portal for reimbursement.
Is ARFID linked to autism or ADHD?
ARFID commonly co-exists with autism, ADHD, and anxiety conditions. Sensory sensitivities associated with autism can contribute to food avoidance, while difficulties with emotional regulation linked to ADHD can intensify mealtime stress. Counselling that understands these overlapping conditions can be particularly effective for participants managing ARFID alongside neurodivergent traits.
How does ARFID affect families and carers?
ARFID affects not only the individual but the entire family. Mealtimes can become a source of conflict, stress, and emotional strain. Parents and carers often experience frustration, guilt, or grief about their loved one's restricted eating. Counselling can provide practical strategies to reduce mealtime tension, build shared understanding of ARFID, and support progress without applying pressure, leading to calmer and more connected family routines.
Can adults have ARFID or is it only a childhood condition?
ARFID affects people of all ages, including adults. While it is often identified in childhood, many adults live with undiagnosed ARFID and experience ongoing challenges with nutrition, social participation, and emotional wellbeing. Counselling can support adults in understanding their relationship with food and gradually building confidence around eating.
Where can I find ARFID counselling in Adelaide, South Australia?
Matthew Tweedie Hypnosis offers specialised ARFID counselling in Adelaide for self-managed NDIS participants. The approach is gentle and non-judgmental, focused on emotional wellbeing, family-inclusive when needed, and fully aligned with NDIS invoicing requirements under Improved Daily Living. Both face-to-face sessions in Adelaide and online sessions across South Australia are available.