The BDA ARFID Sub-Group provides a nationwide network of resources, education and forums for Dietitians working within Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). The sub-group is run by a friendly committee who work to create guidance, education and resources.
Want to get in touch? Drop us an email on [email protected]
Sian Taylor - Chair
Sian is Chair of the ARFID Sub-Group and Clinical Specialist and Strategic Lead CAMHS dietitian in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. She has gained extensive experience in CAMHS over the past 21 years and was proud to be involved in the establishment of the BDA CAMHS Sub-Group. Her interest in ARFID was sparked by a patient complaint and a strong desire to do more for these cases. Sian was a co-author of the ARFID position paper for dietitians and facilitated the formation of the ARFID Sub-Group. She is currently completing a Masters in Advanced Practice and producing a competency document regarding the skills needed for dietitians to work with ARFID.
Clare Thornton-Wood - Vice Chair
Clare is currently Principal Dietitian at a hospital on the south coast. Until 2023 she was the Clinical Dietetic Lead of the FEDs Team at Great Ormond Street and was one of the authors of the BDA ARFID Position Statement. Clare has been a BDA Media spokesperson for many years and won the title of 'Spokesperson of the Year' in 2023 and 2019. Outside of work Clare is to be found playing her oboe in several orchestras, fermenting and growing food and paddleboarding!
Emma Jordan - Secretary
Emma is a Clinical Team Lead - Primary Care Paediatric Dietitian for Leicestershire Partnership Trust with over 27 years’ experience. Her interest in ARFID and Mental Health was sparked by working with children and young people with feeding difficulties and autism. She joined the ARFID Sub-Group for clinical supervision and support.
Emma previously served on the BDA Paediatric Autism Sub-Group and BDA Paediatric Group Committees and currently serves as secretary on the BDA ARFID Sub-Group.
Clare Ellison - Treasurer and Meetings Organiser
Clare is an advanced eating disorders dietitian with experience across inpatient and community settings, and all ages. Her skills and experience include several post graduate qualifications and training in a range of supplementary therapeutic approaches. Most recently she has been working as the ARFID project lead for the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative. This includes offering specialist supervision and clinical guidance, developing and sharing practice guidance, delivering training, and working on projects with NHS-England, BEAT and as an active committee member of the BDA SIG. She is passionate about supporting others to improve their relationship with food and work in a needs-led, individual, and adapted way.
Ursula Philpot - Research Officer
Ursula is a consultant dietitian for Insight eating, a private provider of assessments and treatments for all eating disorders, including ARFID. She has co-developed several national ARFID resources. Ursula holds a regional NHS England post as clinical lead for Northeast and Yorkshire CYP Eating disorders. Ursula champions the devolvement of ARFID services at a national level through the Clinical Reference Group and complex cases work for NHS England.
Paola Falcoski - Co-Research Officer and BDA CAMHS Sub-Group link
Paola is an Advanced Specialist ED dietitian and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner for all ages, with over 12 years of experience. Currently taking a diploma in Autism and Mental health and holds a Master’s in Public Health. She is trained in many forms of CBT (including ARFID), FBT (including ARFID), SOS and Motivational interviewing. She is also involved in research, teaching and supervision.
Angharad Banner - BDA Paediatric Specialist Group link
Angharad began her career in 2001 at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, then moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital. In 2008, she relocated to Wales to serve as the Principal Paediatric Dietitian for Cardiff and Vale UHB. In 2013 she started her freelance career. She consults for organisations such as the BBC, Vegan Society, and all the major nutrition companies. In 2019, she returned to the NHS as a CAMHS dietitian, she continues her private practice, consultancy, and serves on the committee for the Paediatric Specialist Group of the BDA and the ARFID Sub-Group of the Mental Health Group and co-authored the BDA ARFID Position Statement. She is trained in SOS and FBT-AR.
Holly Tritschler - Social Media Officer and Student Representative
Holly is a second-year student studying Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Surrey. She has a background in marketing and social media and worked in the brand management side of the food industry for four years prior to starting her journey toward becoming a Dietitian. Since October 2023, Holly has been a Dietetic intern, focusing on creating evidence-based social media content. She is passionate about using social media to educate and challenge nutritional misinformation online. Holly aims to specialise in the mental health space, helping people develop positive relationships with food.
Mala Watts - Education Officer
Mala is passionate about raising awareness of and supporting those with ARFID, within the NHS and privately. Mala has a paediatric background with valuable and comprehensive knowledge and experience of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and many years of clinical experience as a dietitian in eating disorders, with adults, children, and adolescents, in inpatient units and community settings. Her current NHS job is a newly developed post as Clinical Lead for an ARFID service. She serves on the BDA ARFID committee as Education Officer and proudly involved in many projects, such as co-authoring the BDA Position Paper on ARFID.
Sarah Fuller - Breds and NHS England link
Sarah is the clinical lead dietitian for Northamptonshire NHS CAMHS and is part of the NHS-England steering group for ARFID. Sarah is actively involved in research at Imperial College London and has published several papers in high profile journals. Sarah is working towards her PhD by publication.
Elizabeth Roberts - Ordinary Member
Elizabeth is passionate about the value of dietitians in mental health. Writes about and researches the biology of anorexia, hunger, and the drivers of eating. Certified intuitive eating counsellor and SOS trained.