Interview: Food Allergy Counseling with Dawn, Mother to Twins with Food Allergies

Every day, I receive emails asking me how I work as a psychotherapist and
specialist in food allergy management. To answer this, I interviewed a client, a parent with twin girls who have food allergies. I asked them three simple questions. 

Read more below.


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What brought you to counseling with Sloane Miller, LMSW?

I am a mother of teens with life-threatening food allergies.  Together, our family has been successfully managing these allergies for 12 years, but life is different now, as these teens go to high school 45 minutes from our home, attend various social events and week-long camps.  It was easier for me to feel certain that my kids were “safe” when they were younger, closer to home, and when I had more control over their environment.  With their newfound freedom, I became more worried and anxious for their safety, and I did not want to pass this on to them.  I really wanted to be able to help them grow in independence, engage in new experiences, and not miss out on opportunities.  I looked for someone who had already achieved this – living life fully with food allergies – and I found Allergic Girl. 

What did you hope to happen or change?

I needed to first address my own anxiety.  Second, I needed practical advice on managing situations and finding solutions to keep my teens safe and involved in any activity they choose.

What changed for you/how are things different after working with Sloane Miller, LMSW?

Sloane talked with me and with my teens as well.  After getting to know us, she led me to realize that I was seeing their lives through my own non-allergic perspective, whereas my teens simply accept “this is how life is.”  I learned that they are capable of taking the lead on how to manage situations.  They often have innovative solutions and are very comfortable with taking their own food when needed.  They even bought tickets to prom (meal included) without knowing whether they would be able to eat the meal provided.  They decided they would be fine taking their own meals if they had to.  I was so proud of them for being willing to be different from everyone else, but not letting that stop them.  (In the end, the chef was amazing and plated safe meals for them!)  Before talking with Sloane, I was busy being sad for my teens and the challenges they have to face.  While I still struggle sometimes with that grief, I am mostly overwhelmed at their resilience and proud of them for living life to the fullest.

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Thank you, Dawn!

Interested in counseling with me, contact me today!