About the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling

Wondering about food allergy-informed counseling?

You're in the right place.

Food allergies are a growing concern, affecting millions of individuals and families worldwide. Managing allergy is not only a medical health journey, but a mental health one as well. The daily decisions, fears, limitations, and uncertainties that accompany food allergy life can significantly impact mental health and quality of life. That’s why evidence-based emotional wellness support is not optional; it’s essential.

Our Mission

The Academy of Food Allergy Counseling aims to support the food allergy community’s psychosocial needs by continuing to identify, bridge, and fill the food allergy mental health support gaps. This includes, but is not limited to:

Expanding the food allergy counseling niche

Collaborating with allergists, allergy practices, allergy advocacy organizations, and healthcare companies to include and expand their psychosocial patient support education and resources

How It Began

In 2018, licensed therapist Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC, asked a question that had surprisingly few answers:

“Who is focusing on the mental-health and emotional-wellness needs of those managing allergies?”

She quickly realized what families and clinicians had felt for years — the allergy community desperately needed more psychosocial support, more quality-of-life guidance, and more trained professionals who understood the emotional landscape of living with food allergies.

To address that gap, Tamara founded The Food Allergy Counselor (The FAC): a resource website, therapist directory, and professional mental-health network dedicated to supporting the allergy community. Armed with her expertise in allergy, mental health, and her passion for creating practical, accessible tools, she built a hub that has since helped countless individuals, caregivers, and clinicians thrive.

Becoming the Academy of Food Allergy Counseling

As awareness of The FAC Directory grew and as its impact expanded, so did the vision. The leadership of the nonprofit The Teal Schoolhouse collaborated with Tamara and acquired The FAC Directory, then, with Tamara as the lead advisor, reimagined it as the epicenter of education for therapists who are committed to best serving families impacted by food allergy. The Academy of Food Allergy Counseling (AFAC) was born. AFAC is supported by the nonprofit The Teal Schoolhouse, positioning the Academy to grow its impact, expand professional training, and continue elevating the standard of psychosocial practice within the allergy community.