Episode 100: It’s Not Just Picky Eating: Recognizing and Treating ARFID with Mem & Elysse

About this episode

This episode discusses Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with clinicians Mem Wood and Elysse Thebner Miller, highlighting its symptoms, treatment, and new programming for adults.

Episode description: In this episode of Peace Meal, we’re joined by two North Carolina-based Emily Program clinicians, Mem Wood and Elysse Thebner Miller, to talk all things Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID. Mem and Elysse unpack what makes ARFID different from ordinary food preferences, why it can emerge at any age, and how symptoms may affect nutrition, growth, medical stability, and daily life. They describe the three ARFID subtypes, share what treatment actually looks like, and highlight signs that often indicate it’s time to seek support. This episode also introduces The Emily Program’s new specialized residential and inpatient programming for adults with ARFID in the Raleigh–Durham area—the only dedicated adult program of its kind nationwide. About Mem & Elysse: Mem Wood (she/her) is the Regional Clinical Director, North Carolina at The Emily Program. She holds an MS in clinical mental health counseling from Florida International University. Mem trained and worked at the Renfrew Center of South Florida before joining The Emily Program, where she has served in various roles for nearly eight years. Elysse Thebner Miller (she/her) is the Regional Nutrition…

People in this episode

Guests: Mem Wood, Elysse Thebner Miller

Topics covered

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
• ARFID treatment
• nutrition
• mental health
• eating disorders

Keywords

• ARFID
• picky eating
• eating disorders
• nutrition
• treatment
• mental health
• growth
• medical stability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Emily Program, Renfrew Center of South Florida, UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders

Places: North Carolina, Raleigh–Durham

More episodes of Peace Meal

• Between Bites with Jillian Lampert: Eating Disorders in the LGBTQIA+ Community · June 12, 2026 · 9 min
• Episode 105: Healing Trauma and Eating Disorders Together with Jenny Beck and M Mullan · May 29, 2026 · 28 min
• Between Bites with Jillian Lampert: Mental Health Awareness Month · May 15, 2026 · 12 min
• Episode 104: What Every Parent Should Know About Body Image with Charlotte Markey · April 24, 2026 · 36 min
• Between Bites with Jillian Lampert: Co-Occurrence of SUDs & EDs · April 10, 2026 · 9 min
• Episode 103: Rethinking Nutrition in Recovery with Shena Washburn · March 27, 2026 · 36 min