Rebekah Karel, LMSW, RPT

Has your child been diagnosed with ARFID? Are you feeling lost with how to help? Are you wondering if it is normal, childhood picky eating or something more? I am a registered play therapist (RPT) and specialize in working with children ages 3 to 13 and their caregivers. I am here to help you and your child tackle the emotional, behavioral, and fear-based elements of ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder). I am also passionate about working with children who have co-occurring conditions with ARFID such as ADHD, autism (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety.

Has your child been diagnosed with ARFID? Are you feeling lost with how to help? Are you wondering if it is normal, childhood picky eating or something more? I am a registered play therapist (RPT) and specialize in working with children ages 3 to 13 and their caregivers. I am here to help you and your child tackle the emotional, behavioral, and fear-based elements of ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder). I am also passionate about working with children who have co-occurring conditions with ARFID such as ADHD, autism (ASD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety.

A big part of my approach is connecting with each child I meet. Once we have a trusting relationship built, that is where the real fun begins! I love the challenge of getting kids invested in their own progress. As ARFID is a condition that affects the entire family, I engage caregivers in many sessions so that progress can continue at home.

It is really important to me that counseling be a fun experience for kids and families. I want kids to look forward to coming back! I use play-based approaches to teach skills in combination with CBT and ERP, but take a compassionate, shame-free approach. I also provide telehealth ARFID coaching for caregivers in Michigan, or outside of MI take private pay.