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Parent Strategy Sessions:
For Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Feeding Difficulties and Food Anxiety

These sessions aren't about finding fault. They're about understanding patterns, strengthening connection and helping families feel more confident and supported.

Image by Gábor Szűts

Worried your child’s safe food list keeps shrinking?

Children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), sensory sensitivities, food anxiety and restrictive eating often feel overwhelmed when the focus is placed directly on changing their eating.

 

Sometimes, the most effective place to start is by supporting parents and caregivers first.

Suitable for parents of children and adolescents experiencing:

  • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

  • extreme fussy eating

  • sensory-based feeding difficulties

  • mealtime distress

  • restrictive eating patterns

  • food anxiety

  • neurodivergent-related eating challenges

Image by Vitaly Gariev

Rather than focusing on blame, these sessions focus on understanding patterns, strengthening connection, and helping families feel more equipped and supported.

 

In many cases, working with parents initially can take pressure off the child while still creating meaningful progress at home.

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In Parent Strategy Sessions we may explore:
  • mealtime dynamics

  • sensory dynamics

  • reducing pressure and conflict

  • food anxiety

  • building confidence around feeding

  • practical strategies for home

Small steps lead to big changes.

Feeling stuck? Let's work through it together. Book an in-person or telehealth appointment.

Stepping Stones with Helen Dean logo

hdean1974@gmail.com

0412 855 347

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​Private consulting: Available 6 days a week 

Melbourne | In-person and telehealth available​​​​

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​In-person​ location:​

221 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe East ​​

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© 2026 by Helen Dean.

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