Episode 120: Beyond the label: Living with food allergies

Are you effected or not effected by food allergies? Either way you need to become more informed. Food allergies affect much more than what ends up on the plate—they’re deeply woven into the emotional fabric of households, shaping the experiences of kids, parents, adults, and entire families. In this heartfelt, practical episode, we explore those hidden layers from socialization, quality of life and self-esteem. Folks suffer from anxiety, depression, OCD, and trauma. Dr. Dennis educates us all on why we need to become more informed, how we can find resilience, and manage countertransference around the "right" way to intervene. You can learn more about Dr. Dennis at ksdfamilysolutions.com and email her at [e-mail] A resource:https://www.foodallergycounseling.org/ Dr. Kelly Sullivan Dennis is a licensed clinical social worker with a PhD and over 30 years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan. She serves as an assistant professor in the Social Work Department at Molloy University, where she teaches both undergraduate students and graduate students through the Fordham-Molloy MSW Collaborative. Her academic work is informed by her clinical expertise and her dedication to fostering inclusive, justice-driven social work practice.

In her clinical work, Dr. Dennis supports clients coping with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, chronic illness, and major life transitions. She has a special interest in working with children and families to help manage complex issues such as food allergies, chronic illness, and family system challenges. Her approach is strengths-based and integrative, drawing on evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-focused intervention, play therapy, narrative therapy, and solution-focused counseling.

Throughout her career, Dr. Dennis has worked in a wide range of settings, including schools, mental health centers, community agencies, parent resource centers, libraries, and places of worship in order to bring mental health support into the heart of the community. She is also an active community educator, leading workshops on grief and loss, trauma, crisis response, parenting children with complex needs, and navigating life with food allergies.

Dr. Dennis is a proud member of the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling (AFAC) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Her work is guided by a strong commitment to social justice, human rights, and the belief that every individual deserves dignity and access to compassionate, competent care.