Exploring Food Allergy Families

My guest Jo Frost (also known as Supernanny) and I chat about so many important topics in this 2-part episode, including how to live an empowered life with allergies, navigating various family/parenting dynamics including divorced/blended families, and how values can be the compass that guides you to living a safe AND full life with allergies. Jo also shares insights into how her upbringing empowered her, how her family/friends sup...

Navigating the teen and young adult years is hard enough, but managing a food allergy can make it feel even more difficult. This episode offers guidance and tips to help allergic teens, young adults and parents navigate these years.

My guest Kortney Kwong Hing and I discuss the following topics:
Various common social & life scenarios, tips for speaking up about safety when shy, tips on how to fit in with friends ...

This episode explores dealing with fearful thoughts and a variety of emotions when just thinking about epinephrine, or when you actually need to use it.
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My guest Fawn McNeil-Haber, PhD and I share strategies and tips to  prepare for, actually use, and process the thoughts, feelings and trauma that are often part of the allergic reaction experience. These tips are helpful for kids, teens, adults and parents!
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Tak...

Many people have picky eating habits and may even avoid a number of foods, but when do these food preferences become problematic, especially for those managing food allergy?

This episode explores the answers to these questions and the diagnosis of ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) which is a diagnosis becoming more well-known in those managing chronic conditions focused on food intake.

My guest, ...

Maybe you're an allergic individual or allergy parent who wants to advocate on a larger scale? Or perhaps you're interested in learning more about what a food allergy consultant or allergy-informed therapist does and how to become one?

Gina Mennett Lee, M.Ed. and I discuss food allergy advocacy, consulting and counseling, paying special attention to not burning yourself out, especially as an advocate. We offer t...

In honor of Mother's Day this weekend, I'm reviewing the 2020 Food Allergy Mom Experiences survey results to gain better insight into how moms feel about allergy parenting. Additionally, I'll compare the data from the 2020 Food Allergy Dad Experiences survey (which asked the exact same questions), and explore similarities and differences in their experiences. [Be sure to check out Episode 2, which is all about the da...

It's common to feel nervous or anxious in anticipation of an oral food challenge (OFC). On this episode, fellow allergy-informed therapist Fawn McNeil-Haber, PhD and I will discuss navigating oral food challenge anxiety. We will specifically explore: 

• Tips to encourage readiness  for kids, teens, parents and adults
• Anxiety management strategies to practice 
• Tips to help determine anxiety versus allergic reaction sensations
• Str...

Open communication with your allergist is crucial - it helps them meet you where you're at and in turn, provides you with valuable guidance and information to help navigate life with food allergies. However, not everyone knows how to advocate for their own patient needs or when they should or shouldn't reach out to their allergist with questions.

In this episode, I'll be chatting with my guest, allergist Dr...

In honor of Counseling Awareness Month in April, Season 2 kicks off with an episode focusing on therapy, because after the last 12 months, many could benefit from additional support. This episode will specifically explore: 

• WHY (and when) people might decide to seek out therapy
• WHO provides counseling services 
• WHAT some common counseling approaches are, and determining which is right for you
• WHERE to find therapists

Read more ...

Thinking traps, or cognitive distortions, tend to lead us into a pattern of increased anxiety, worry, or stress. In this episode, we'll explore food allergy-focused thinking traps, and strategies to challenge and deal with them. (These strategies are easily adaptable to teach children and teens as well).

To learn more about thinking traps or locate the handout, check out this Food Allergy Counselor Directory & we...

This episode focuses on understanding what research tells us about the emotional and social impacts food allergies have on individuals and families, and what upcoming CFAAR studies may further explore.

Guests Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH and Lisa Lombard, Ph.D. from the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR) join me on this episode to discuss recent studies focused on the social and emotional impacts food allergies have on in...

It's normal to be left with a variety of thoughts and feelings after an allergic reaction, which sometimes then leads to changes in behaviors and confidence. On this episode, we will explore and share tips to help move through this normal post-reaction phase.

My guest on this episode is psychologist Fawn McNeil-Haber of Brave Minds Psychological Services in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Fawn and I explore the following...

Whether you've just learned about, or are considering or currently taking part in food allergy treatments, this episode will offer insights into the emotional aspects of treatments - a focus not always openly explored.

My guest on this episode is Marte Matthews, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice who also works with allergic patients at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy & Asthm...

We don't always hear from the dads as much as we do from the moms. Therefore, after the results of the Food Allergy Dad Experience Survey were published in Episode 2, I wanted to chat in depth with one of the dads.

In this episode, the second in a two-part series, guest Jit Bose and I explore his experiences as the dad of a child with food allergies, and the insightful tips he has for other dads (and all parents, real...

We don't always hear from the dads as much as we do from the moms. Therefore, after the results of the Food Allergy Dad Experience Survey were published in Episode 2, I wanted to chat in depth with one of the dads.

In this episode, the first in a two-part series, guest Jit Bose and I explore his experiences as the dad of a child with food allergies, and the insightful tips he has for other dads (and all parents, reall...

Let's be honest - with life feeling more stressful at the moment, we may forget to look for opportunities to laugh. But laughter can be a great coping strategy! This episode will not only remind you to embrace the crazy and find the humor in life, but will likely have you laughing and thinking "Yes, I can totally relate!"

In this episode, guest Jen Burch and I chat about many moments where we could have los...

How do telemedicine allergy appointments really work? In this episode, Dr. Dave Stukus and I chat about telemedicine and in-person appointments during this pandemic. We will explore: 

• What to expect & how to prepare for telemedicine appointments
• Strategies to help kids engage in telemedicine appointments
• Reminders to help decrease anxiety for in-person appointments during COVID

Plus, we get real and chat about individualiz...

Vulnerability can make us feel pretty uncomfortable, but does feeling vulnerable mean we're weak? In this episode, we'll explore what vulnerability is and how it relates to managing food allergies. We'll also review 5 steps that can help you move from doubt to confidence when managing allergies. So let's explore vulnerability!

Exploring Vulnerability & Food Allergies 5-Step Handout/PDF:
https:/...

Ever wondered how dads feel about parenting a child with a food allergy? In this episode, we'll explore the results from the Food Allergy Dad Experience survey. Learn what dads say is the hardest part about food allergy parenting, how it impacts their relationships, and what advice they'd give to dads just starting their food allergy parenting journey.

Full survey results on the Food Allergy Counselor Directory ...