Beyond Cravings: Understanding and Treating Pica: A Clinical and Practical Guide to Pica Behavior

by Dan Boynton

Beyond Understanding and Treating Pica
By Dr. Dan Boynton, Ph.D.

Why would someone crave and eat chalk, dirt, paper, or soap?

Pica is the persistent urge to eat non-food items. Often misunderstood, overlooked, or casually dismissed as a strange habit. But for many individuals, from children with autism to adults coping with trauma, pica is a serious behavioral and medical issue that demands deeper understanding.

In Beyond Cravings, clinical psychologist Dr. Dan Boynton, Ph.D., shines a compassionate and research-driven light on this hidden struggle. Through real-world case stories, clear explanations, and practical treatment insights, he unpacks what makes pica so complex and what can be done to help.

Inside, you’ll
• What drives the urge to eat dirt, ice, chalk, soap, or other non-food substances
• How pica shows up in children, teens, and adults, especially those with autism or intellectual disabilities
• The sensory, psychological, cultural, and nutritional roots behind the behavior
• How to distinguish pica from OCD, self-harm, or attention-seeking behavior
• Effective, evidence-based interventions that bring real relief
• Tools for parents, therapists, educators, and caregivers to respond with confidence and care

Whether you're a clinician, teacher, parent, or simply curious, this book offers a rare blend of science, empathy, and practical solutions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to understand one of the most overlooked behaviors in mental health and developmental care.

46 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2025

About the author

About the Author

Dr. Dan Boynton, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and evaluator with a deep passion for helping people understand themselves and each other. His work spans developmental disorders, trauma, autism, mood disorders, personality disorders, and other mental health concerns, with experience across both clinical and forensic settings. Known for making complex topics clear and practical, Dr. Boynton focuses on real-world understanding and usable solutions.

With thousands of psychological evaluations completed for individuals, child welfare agencies, schools, law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, and vocational programs across Texas, he has become a trusted voice in psychological assessment and intervention.

Website: https://drdanboynton.com

Author of 12 books, including:

Let It Go: Choose Wisely, Free Your Time, and Reclaim the Life You Actually Want The Gift of Bipolar Why Can’t I Just Shower?: ADHD, Executive Dysfunction & the Hygiene Struggle Understanding ODD Today: Real-Life Solutions and Support for Parents, Teachers, Caregivers, and Caseworkers An Epidemic of Undifferentiated Family Ego Mass: How Emotional Fusion Shapes All Families - And What You Can Do About It

When he’s not writing or working, Dr. Boynton enjoys road trips and exploring unknown places, riding motorcycles, spending time with family, playing guitar, and finding connections between science, compassion, and human behavior.