Don't Feed the Fear: Allergy Anxiety & Trauma

Amanda Whitehouse, Ph.D.
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

Welcome to "Don't Feed the Fear," where licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse offers expert guidance on managing the social and emotional challenges of food allergies, celiac, and related conditions. Tune in for compassionate advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you navigate anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience.  For more info on resources from Dr. Whitehouse, go to www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com      Theme song: The Doghouse by Kyle Dine, www.kyledine.comUsed with permission from the artistFull transcripts are available to support accessibility and inclusive listening: https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/dont-feed-the-fear-blog

  1. When Safety Creates Distance: Isolation, Connection, and Boundaries in Food Allergy Life

    3D AGO

    When Safety Creates Distance: Isolation, Connection, and Boundaries in Food Allergy Life

    Send a text Living with food allergies often creates distance between us and friends, family, schools, and communities that don’t fully understand what our safety requires. This episode compassionately addresses the growing sense of isolation many food allergy families experience and why advice like “just go no contact” or “let them” often misses the reality of chronic illness. Isolation can feel protective but ultimately becomes unsustainable and unhealthy. This episode offers a more nuanced framework for boundaries, influence, and connection that balances safety and belonging. Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    33 min
  2. Allergy Strong Kids and Communities with Erin Malawer

    FEB 10

    Allergy Strong Kids and Communities with Erin Malawer

    Send a text What does food allergy safety look like when systems don’t work equally for everyone? In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Malawer, founder of Allergy Strong, to explore how inequities in education, resources, and institutional support shape the lived experience of food allergy families. Erin’s work focuses on improving safety and access at the community level so that protection doesn’t depend on privilege or proximity. Together, we discuss: How gaps in food allergy education and policy disproportionately impact certain familiesWhy awareness alone isn’t enough without structural changeThe emotional toll of navigating systems that don’t reliably protect children with food allergiesThis conversation invites listeners to move beyond individual responsibility and consider what it means to build food allergy care that is safer, fairer, and more inclusive for everyone. Follow Allergy Strong: @AllergyStrong allergystrong.com Erin's blog, Allergy Shmallergy: https://shmallergy.wordpress.com/ In this episode, Erin also mentions the work of Lianne Mandlebaum, No Nut Traveler, on airplane regulations and policies for food allergies: @nonuttraveler nonuttraveler.com Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    40 min
  3. Black Families and Food Allergies with Renia Butler, Black Allergy Mama

    FEB 3

    Black Families and Food Allergies with Renia Butler, Black Allergy Mama

    Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Renia Butler, founder of Black Allergy Mama, for an honest and powerful conversation about race, food allergy advocacy, and mental health. Renia shares her personal journey navigating food allergies as a Black mother, the systemic gaps she witnessed firsthand, and how those experiences fueled her advocacy work. We explore the emotional labor families carry, the importance of representation and trust in medical care, and how food allergy spaces can—and must—become more inclusive and trauma-informed. This episode is essential listening for parents, clinicians, advocates, and anyone who wants to better understand the full human experience behind food allergy care. https://blackallergymama.com/ @blackallergymama Also mentioned in this episode: Elijah Alavi Foundation: https://www.elijahalavifoundation.org/ Food Equality Initiative: https://www.foodequalityinitiative.org/ Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    38 min
  4. Comfort Kits, Hypnotherapy, and Healing for Children with Dr. Lisa Lombard

    JAN 27

    Comfort Kits, Hypnotherapy, and Healing for Children with Dr. Lisa Lombard

    Send us a text In this episode, psychologist Lisa Lombard, Ph.D. shares insights from her clinical experience and research background in food allergy. She also shares aspects of her work that led to the creation of Comfort Kits, tools designed to support children experiencing trauma. We talk about why safety and imagination matter so much for healing, and how small, intentional interventions can make a meaningful difference for kids and families. We also explore Dr. Lombard’s extensive work with hypnotherapy, including her role as President of the National Pediatric Hypnosis Training Institute (NPHTI), where she trains clinicians to incorporate hypnosis into pediatric care. Dr. Lombard breaks down common misconceptions, explains what hypnotherapy actually looks like in practice, and shares why it can be especially helpful for children navigating chronic illness, procedures, and anxiety. This episode is for parents, clinicians, and anyone interested in gentle, evidence-based ways to support regulation, resilience, and healing. It’s a reminder that care doesn’t have to be forceful to be effective, and that feeling safe is the necessary foundation for healing and growth. Episode Links: lisalombardphd.com NPHTI.org comfortkitsforchildren.org Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    43 min
  5. Dr. Zachary Rubin on Allergies in the Age of Social Media

    JAN 20

    Dr. Zachary Rubin on Allergies in the Age of Social Media

    Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zachary Rubin, board-certified allergist-immunologist, educator, and one of the most trusted voices in allergy and immunology on social media. Dr. Rubin has built a massive following by breaking down complex medical topics with calm, evidence-based guidance. In our conversation, we go beyond viral posts to explore what it actually means to navigate allergic disease in the modern information landscape. We discuss how social media shapes patient anxiety and expectations, and Dr. Rubin shares insights from his upcoming book All About Allergies, available for pre-order now and releasing in February, which focuses on empowering patients with accurate, compassionate, and practical medical information. This episode is an invitation to approach health information with curiosity instead of panic, and to remember that good care is about helping people feel better, not just managing symptoms. Links: Dr. Rubin: https://www.oakbrookallergists.com/our-team/zachary-e-rubin-md/ Book preorder (releases 2/24/26): https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-about-allergies-everything-you-need-to-know-about-asthma-food-allergies-hay-fever-and-more-zachary-rubin/a2fea4994be4ecf4?ean=9798217047970&next=t Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    44 min
  6. Bonus Self-Care Meditation for Vigilant Nervous Systems

    JAN 14 · BONUS

    Bonus Self-Care Meditation for Vigilant Nervous Systems

    Send us a text When you live with food allergies, celiac disease, or another chronic condition, your nervous system is asked to stay alert every single day. This ongoing vigilance is not imagined anxiety. It is a physiological adaptation to real risk. In this guided meditation, Dr. Whitehouse invites you to experience self care as nervous system re-education rather than another task to perform. Through gentle breathing, somatic awareness, and compassionate reflection, you will explore how everyday acts of self-care teach the body that it can be safe, even when you are not perfect, productive, or pleasing others. This practice is grounded in polyvagal theory and research on chronic illness, anxiety, and self regulation. It is designed for anyone who feels chronically on edge, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to rest in a body trained to stay alert. There is nothing broken that needs to be fixed. You are teaching your nervous system something new. Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    9 min
  7. Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care for Food Allergies & Celiac

    JAN 13

    Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care for Food Allergies & Celiac

    Send us a text Self-care is often framed as indulgent, aesthetic, or optional, but for individuals and families managing food allergies or other chronic conditions, it is essential. In this solo episode, I explore misconceptions about self-care means, and how it is uniquely difficult in food allergy and celiac life. This episode covers: Why food allergy management creates chronic nervous system activationWhy our nervous systems resist self-careHow self-care functions as nervous system regulation, not indulgenceThis conversation is for anyone who feels like self-care is a luxury or a burden rather than a necessity. Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    28 min
  8. Bonus Pranayama (4-7-8 Breathing) led by Dr. Gary Soffer

    JAN 6 · BONUS

    Bonus Pranayama (4-7-8 Breathing) led by Dr. Gary Soffer

    Send us a text This guided pranayama meditation is led by Dr. Gary Soffer, allergist-immunologist and integrative medicine physician, and was recorded as part of our New Year conversation on health, healing, and self-care (episode 57). In this practice, Dr. Soffer offers a gentle, accessible breathing technique drawn from yogic traditions and adapted by Dr. Andrew Weil. This practice is a gentle introduction to pranayama perfect for beginners. It is supportive for those managing food allergies, chronic illness, health anxiety, or caregiver stress. This track is offered as a companion to the full podcast episode with Dr. Soffer, and can be revisited whenever you need a moment of grounding. Follow Dr. Soffer on IG @garysoffermd Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

    3 min
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5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Don't Feed the Fear," where licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse offers expert guidance on managing the social and emotional challenges of food allergies, celiac, and related conditions. Tune in for compassionate advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you navigate anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience.  For more info on resources from Dr. Whitehouse, go to www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com      Theme song: The Doghouse by Kyle Dine, www.kyledine.comUsed with permission from the artistFull transcripts are available to support accessibility and inclusive listening: https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/dont-feed-the-fear-blog

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