The Emily Program Opens Nation’s First ARFID Center of Excellence in Raleigh–Durham

New Residential ARFID Eating Disorder Program Opening January 14, 2026; Now Accepting Patients

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Emily Program, a nationally recognized leader in eating disorder treatment, announced today the launch of the nation’s first ARFID Center of Excellence, a residential inpatient eating disorder treatment program dedicated solely to treating Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in adults. The new center, located in the Raleigh–Durham area, will open January 14, 2026, and is now accepting patients for admission.

ARFID is a complex eating disorder driven by extreme food avoidance, sensory sensitivities, anxiety about eating, fear of adverse consequences, and/or a lack of interest in food. For adults who suffer with the disorder, ARFID can disrupt daily life in profound ways, limiting nutrition, affecting work, school, and other commitments, and complicating and creating social barriers around meals, gatherings, and routines.

“Adults with ARFID are often incredibly motivated to feel better as they want to eat, they want to participate fully in their lives but the anxiety, discomfort, and sensory difficulties with food and eating can overwhelm them which becomes paralyzing,” said Dr. Brad Smith, Chief Medical Officer at The Emily Program. “A dedicated 24/7 treatment environment focused exclusively on adults with ARFID gives us the ability to provide tailored, high-frequency interventions that simply aren’t possible in mixed eating disorder treatment settings. This center of excellence exists because ARFID patients deserve specialized care.”

A First-of-Its-Kind Residential Setting

The Emily Program ARFID Center of Excellence offers around-the-clock medical, psychiatric, nutritional, and therapeutic support in a highly immersive setting designed specifically for ARFID and commonly co-occurring needs such as sensory sensitivity, neurodivergence, and anxiety disorder. Every element, from meals to group therapy to movement work, is structured to focus on ARFID and create an experience unlike traditional eating disorder programs.

Clients participate in sessions focused on interoceptive awareness, body comfort, sensory exposure, and anxiety reduction. Food exposures are created and repeated frequently, with individualized support to help clients expand variety, overcome fears, and restore nutritional stability.

“This center of excellence reflects what people with ARFID have been asking for: A place where group and individual interventions are all ARFID specific and where they can do more tailored hands-on work that moves them forward,” said Becca Eckstein, Senior Regional Director, Southeast, The Emily Program. “Many of our clients have tried outpatient or partial programs without enough relief. For them and others with ARFID, a focused residential approach can be transformative.”

The environment also incorporates therapeutic movement, sensory accommodations, and structured social skills with food and eating to practice key needs related to difficulty with social or professional situations due to their eating challenges.

Supporting Young Adults, Professionals, and Parents

The program serves adults and young adults 18+, including:

• Any individual struggling with ARFID who wants relief
• College students for whom eating challenges disrupt academic or social functioning
• Young professionals whose nutritional limitations impact energy, concentration, or workplace routines
• Parents seeking to improve their own eating patterns to better support their families

“Our goal is to help people build a more flexible, sustainable relationship with food, one that allows them to be nourished, healthy, and engaged in the parts of life that matter most,” Dr. Smith added. “For many, that means expanding previously limited foods, reducing fear around eating, restoring weight, improving energy, and feeling confident participating in everyday life again.”

About The Emily Program

The Emily Program is nationally recognized for its compassionate and evidence-based approach to eating disorder treatment. With locations across the country and robust virtual care options, The Emily Program provides accessible, expert care that addresses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of recovery. For more information about The Emily Program’s services, visit www.emilyprogram.com or call 1 [phone].