With 15 years’ experience working in the NHS, Francesca has worked across some of the UK’s leading hospitals, including Great Ormond Street, The Maudsley, and The Evelina Children’s Hospital and St Bartholomew’s, gaining extensive experience in child and adolescent mental health, child development and emotional impact of living physical health conditions. She is currently a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in Leeds.
It was during her time leading the specialist psychology service in paediatric allergy that she uncovered a gap in support. While allergies were recognised in medical terms, the psychological impact on children and families was often overlooked.
The more she spoke to families, the more she uncovered the hidden emotional challenges of allergies, which even to her as a clinical psychologist had never been taught as part of her formal training. Ever since become passionate about raising the awareness of the psychological impact of allergies, hoping to increase funding and service provision, so that more families, children and adults can access psychological support.
Francesca is also on a mission to make information as readily available as possible and has produces a range of resources; downloads, eBooks, courses, videos and blogs to help those who need it. Over the last 6 years she has developed and refined her unique approach to supporting allergy anxiety The Allergy Anxiety Method â which is based on evidence-based ideas but adjusted for the unique challenges of living with allergies and has now helped hundreds of families.
Since 2023 she has joined forces with the powerhouse, leading Allergy Specialist and GP, Dr Helen Allergy, supporting Helen in her monthly membership, developing packages for Oral Immunotherapy and between them helping thousands of people all over the UK (and beyond).
Francesca also works closely with allergy charities, including The Sadie Bristow Foundation and Allergy UK. She also consults with the food and hospitality industry regarding staff and consumer behaviour and the psychological impact of allergies, to make eating safer for those with allergies.