Eating & Feeding Concerns
Eating can become stressful for children, teens, and families for many different reasons. Some
children are highly selective about what they eat, while others experience significant anxiety or
fear around food and mealtimes. Our clinicians can help children and families understand what
may be contributing to these difficulties and develop practical strategies to make eating feel safer
and less stressful.
We can support concerns such as:
- Picky or selective eating – Eating only a small number of preferred foods or becoming distressed when new foods are introduced.
- Fear of choking or vomiting – Avoiding foods, eating very slowly, taking tiny bites, or becoming anxious about swallowing because of a fear of choking, gagging, or becoming sick.
- Very limited food choices – Having a restricted range of foods and becoming upset when preferred foods are unavailable or changed.
- Anxiety around eating – Worry, fear, or distress before or during meals, snacks, or eating in front of others.
- Sensory sensitivities – Strong reactions to the texture, smell, taste, temperature, appearance, or consistency of certain foods.
- Food avoidance – Avoiding particular foods because they feel unsafe, unpleasant, overwhelming, or associated with a previous negative experience.
- Mealtime stress and conflict – Frequent arguments, pressure, negotiation, frustration, or emotional distress between children and caregivers around eating.
- Difficulty trying new foods – Feeling overwhelmed or anxious when asked to explore unfamiliar foods or expand their diet.
- Social eating difficulties – Anxiety or avoidance around eating at school, restaurants, parties, sleepovers, or other social situations.
- Loss of appetite related to stress or anxiety – Changes in eating patterns that occur alongside emotional difficulties, transitions, or stressful experiences.
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We are an evidence based private psychology clinic working with all ages! We are committed to providing the best assessments and counseling in western Canada.