About the Group
The Collaborative ARFID Group is a nine-week program for teens ages 12 to 17 and their caregivers. It combines two evidence-informed approaches to Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): cognitive behavioral therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) skills for teens, and SPACE strategies for parents.
ARFID is more than picky eating. It is a sensory or anxiety-based challenge, and it affects the whole family. The group is built around the idea that teens and parents each need their own tools. While teens practice facing their fears around food, parents learn how to support them with calm, consistent boundaries.
How the Group Works
Each 60-minute session was split into two parts:
- Part 1 (30 minutes): Parallel tracks. Teens met with Dr. Heather Rosen to practice CBT-AR skills, while parents met with Dr. Valerie Scelsa to focus on SPACE strategies.
- Part 2 (30 minutes): Collaborative session. Teens and parents came together for supported food exposures, practice of new skills, and planning for the week ahead.
Who the Group Is For
The group is designed for families in which:
- A teen has a limited range of preferred foods or avoids entire food groups
- Mealtimes have become a source of conflict or stress
- Parents would like a collaborative, non-blaming setting in which to learn practical skills
- Families would like to connect with others facing similar challenges
Details of the Most Recent Group
- Dates: Wednesdays, April 29 to June 24, 2026 (nine weeks)
- Time: 60 minutes per session
- Location: Chappaqua, NY, with an option to join online
- Ages: Teens 12 to 17 and their caregivers
Related Care at PPG
Group work is often one part of a broader plan. Our clinicians work across specialties, and with your consent your clinician can coordinate with colleagues across the practice.
- ARFID: Our ARFID treatment overview.
- Group Therapy: Groups for children, teens, parents, and adults.
- Eating Disorders Program: Specialized treatment for children, teens, and adults.
- Parent-Focused Therapy: Guidance and support for parents.
- How We Coordinate Care: How clinicians across the practice work together.
