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The Allergy Psychologists

Psychological support for the people behind the allergy

 

Living with allergies is so much more than just avoiding certain foods.

It’s the relentless, invisible mental load and constant thinking that comes with it.

Running through every possible ‘what if’ scenario, second guessing decisions you’ve already made, mentally scanning every situation for possible risks, wondering whether you can truly trust someone and a responsibility that you carry all the time, that never switches off.

It’s adjusting to a life you never planned for, one where allergies is the default before you think about anything else.

It’s grieving spontaneity, living in constant uncertainty and the daily reality that there are things in the environment that you or a loved one could react to.   

For many people, allergies don’t just affect what they eat, it affects how safe the world feels.

At The Allergy Psychologists, we understand that.

Founded by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Francesca Sawer, at The Allergy Psychologists we specialise in supporting children, adults, parents and families living with food allergies, asthma, eczema and other allergic conditions.

Our work focuses on the emotional impact of allergies, helping people navigate anxiety, rebuild confidence and create a life that feels bigger than allergy.

We really stand by the belief that whilst allergies may be part of your life, they don’t have to define it.

Why choose The Allergy Psychologists?

There are lots of therapists who work with anxiety, however much fewer understand allergy anxiety and the specific nuances that come with this. The goal behind our approach is not to stop you caring about allergies, nor to convince you that everything is safe.  It’s to help you feel more confident in your ability to manage uncertainty, make decisions that fit your values and stop anxiety becoming the loudest voice in the room.

Having previously led the psychology service at the Children’s Allergy Service at The Evelina, Dr Francesca is one of only a handful of clinical psychologists specialising in allergy and allergic conditions in the UK.

Over the past 7 years she has established herself as on the leading experts in the field. She is regularly asked to present at conferences across the UK, sits on the advisory boards of both Allergy UK and the Sadie Bristow Foundation and supports thousands of people a month for free on her Instagram page.

She is well known for her “Safe Enough" approach and this is at the centre of her own signature method of supporting those with allergy anxiety; The Allergy Anxiety Method®, which was created to support anyone living with allergies the basics in managing anxiety for a fraction of the cost of a therapy session.

Francesca ensures that our psychologists combine specialist psychological expertise with a deep understanding of the realities of living with allergies.

If you’re ready for support from psychologists who understand both the psychology and the reality of living with allergies, we’d love to hear from you.

ENQUIRE

Why choose The Allergy Psychologists?

There are lots of therapists who work with anxiety, however much fewer understand allergy anxiety and the specific nuances that come with this. The goal behind our approach is not to stop you caring about allergies, nor to convince you that everything is safe.  It’s to help you feel more confident in your ability to manage uncertainty, make decisions that fit your values and stop anxiety becoming the loudest voice in the room.

Having previously led the psychology service at the Children’s Allergy Service at The Evelina, Dr Francesca is one of only a handful of clinical psychologists specialising in allergy and allergic conditions in the UK.

Over the past 7 years she has established herself as on the leading experts in the field. She is regularly asked to present at conferences across the UK, sits on the advisory boards of both Allergy UK and the Sadie Bristow Foundation and supports thousands of people a month for free on her Instagram page.

She is well known for her “Safe Enough" approach and this is at the centre of her own signature method of supporting those with allergy anxiety; The Allergy Anxiety Method®, which was created to support anyone living with allergies the basics in managing anxiety for a fraction of the cost of a therapy session.

Francesca ensures that our psychologists combine specialist psychological expertise with a deep understanding of the realities of living with allergies.

If you’re ready for support from psychologists who understand both the psychology and the reality of living with allergies, we’d love to hear from you.

ENQUIRE

How We Can Help


We offer specialist psychological therapy for people living with allergies and allergic conditions, including:

  • Food allergy anxiety
  • Anxiety following an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis
  • Adjusting to diagnosis and the overwhelm that can come with this, including allergy guilt
  • The emotional impact of asthma and eczema
  • Parenting a child with allergies
  • Supporting children and teenagers to build confidence and independence
  • Medical trauma and PTSD
  • Fear of introducing new foods
  • Anxiety around Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)
  • Confidence starting school, eating out at restaurants, travel and everyday life

Every person we meet has their own story and that’s why we tailor therapy to you.

We draw on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and EMDR where appropriate, as well as using Dr Francesca’s own signature programme The Allergy Anxiety Method®.

We understand that psychological therapy can be a huge financial burden, so we also offer a range of affordable resources, including a self-guided eBook for navigating parental guilt and The Allergy Anxiety Method ÂŽ is also available as an online course.

We also work very closely with Dr Helen Allergy, providing input in her membership.