Ep. 123: Supporting the Mental Health of Allergy Parents
LISTEN TO EPISODE 123: Apple Podcast • Spotify • Amazon Music
Parenting a child with food allergies can feel overwhelming and isolating. We're joined by licensed therapist and food allergy mom Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC, to talk about her new book, May Contain Anxiety, and the often overlooked mental health challenges that food allergy parents face.
We explore how chronic stress, fear, and anxiety can affect parenting, relationships, and family dynamics. Plus, why supporting the mental health of allergy parents is crucial for the entire family’s well-being.
Tamara breaks down evidence-based tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help parents manage food allergy anxiety, build confidence, and feel less alone on this lifelong journey.
What we cover in this episode about food allergy anxiety in parents:
Tamara’s journey from substance abuse counselor to food allergy mental health advocate
Why she wrote May Contain Anxiety and how it’s different from typical self-help books
A breakdown of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how it supports allergy parents
The impact of food allergy anxiety on the whole family system, from parenting dynamics to sibling relationships
Why this book is valuable for every stage of the allergy journey and helpful for allergists and extended family, too
About food allergy therapist Tamara
Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor and the founder of the Food Allergy Counselor Directory & Website. She specializes in helping individuals and families navigate the emotional and mental health challenges that come with managing food allergies. Tamara is passionate about empowering people to build confidence and resilience while living safely with food allergies.
Learn more about Tamara’s work at FoodAllergyCounselor.com.
About the Book: May Contain Anxiety
May Contain Anxiety is written specifically for food allergy parents, but it offers valuable tools for anyone managing a chronic condition or supporting someone who is. Blending clinical expertise with personal experience, Tamara offers practical ways to manage fear, guilt, and overwhelm using the principles of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
It’s available worldwide in English on September 30th, 2025.
Get 30% off by buying it at Hopkins Press and using the code: HMCA25
More episodes about food allergies
Timestamps
Our episode explores the mental health of food allergy parents
01:28 Meet Tamara Hubbard, LCPC: Therapist & food allergy mom
04:11 Three fun facts about Tamara
06:30 How chronic illness impacts the family unit
08:46 Why Tamara wrote May Contain Anxiety
11:50 What is ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) for allergy parents
13:17 How the book is structured to support food allergy families
15:30 Key takeaway: Helping parents manage food allergy anxiety
17:36 Is the book helpful for extended family members and caregivers?
20:10 The Academy of Food Allergy Counseling: A resource for mental health support
21:00 Kortney’s perspective as an adult allergy patient
22:49 Dr. G on the value of May Contain Anxiety for allergy care
24:55 Why mental health support matters for allergy parents
