Integration of Mental Health Care into Food Allergy Practices: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Integrative Medicine Committee

Abstract

Patients with food allergy, clinicians, and researchers have identified mental health support for patients diagnosed with IgE-mediated food allergy and their caregivers as a clinical priority. However, resources that provide guidance on how to integrate mental health professionals into food allergy clinics are lacking. A work group within the Integrative Medicine Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology convened to develop a guidance paper that fills this gap. The report was developed as a practical guide for providers working with patients with food allergy. The report provides specific information on evidence-based mental health treatment approaches and models of care for meeting the mental health needs of patients with food allergy. Further, the report discusses ways that mental health professionals can contribute to food allergy clinics beyond clinical care, including training and research. Tables in the report provide concrete recommendations and resources supporting integration of mental health supports in food allergy clinics.

Keywords: Food allergy; Mental health; Psychology.