The premier online resource for therapists at all experience levels and individuals struggling with emetophobia

Emetophobia Institute

Looking to become a new Emetophobia patient with CABT?

Are you a professional hoping to enroll in a workshop?

Looking to learn on your own? Check out our book Gag Reflections.

For Patients: We’re Here to Help

It’s estimated that up to 387 million people in the world suffer from emetophobia (fear of vomit) - that’s 195 million more than those who suffer from the fear of flying and 118 million more than those who fear spiders. We often describe emetophobia as one of the most common yet significantly underdiscussed anxiety disorders, often causing substantial distress and impairment in daily life.

What to Look For

  •  Intense anxiety and panic associated with vomit

  • Excessive cleaning, checking, and overthinking

  • Constantly monitoring your body for the threat of vomiting

  • Avoiding important events (e.g., parties, concerts, planes, etc.), foods or drinks, or life events, especially pregnancy, due to fear of vomiting

Emetophobia affects approximately 7% percent of women and 2% of men at some point in their life.

YOUR ROADMAP TO WELLNESS

Our Unique Approach

01 EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION (ERP)

ERP is a science-backed treatment used for emetophobia, where you and your therapist gradually face your fears without relying on safety behaviors to discover that your anxiety won’t last forever, your fears won’t come true, and you are stronger than your emetophobia 

02 ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY

ACT is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavior therapy that targets learning to accept uncomfortable internal experiences, separating thoughts from truths, and helping emetophobics make decisions in line with their values instead of their fears.

03 DESENSITIZING BODILY SENSATIONS

Effective treatment includes interoceptive exposure, a cognitive-behavioral technique in which patients deliberately approach physical sensations—such as dizziness or nausea—that trigger anxiety but are objectively safe, helping them become less fearful of these sensations.

04 COLLABORATIVE CARE

We work collaboratively with each client to tailor treatment plans that meet their unique goals and pace by augmenting treatment with other evidence-based modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) or Behavioral Activation (BA), ensuring compassionate and expert care throughout the recovery process.

Gag Reflections

Gag Reflections Book

Part memoir, part clinical history, Dara Lovitz offers a brutally honest account of her life as an emetophobe. Co-written with her therapist, Dr. David Yusko, the book unravels the mystery of emetophobia and explores the history of exposure therapy as a treatment approach.

What People Are Saying About Gag Reflections

"Literally in tears because it made me feel seen and made me hopeful for recovery. If you have EVER struggled with feeling alone with this phobia, check this book out. The honesty in Dara's disclosures, paired with Dr. Yusko's professional guidance, makes this the most unique book I've ever read."

— Gag Reflections Reader

“I loved this book! I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up. Thank you Dara Lovitz and Dr. Yusko!!"

— Gag Reflections Reader

"Yusko is an expert in the field of phobias and exposure therapy and anything he writes or contributes to, I’d buy. Dara is transparent, vulnerable, determined, and witty. Just buy the book."

— Gag Reflections Reader

Browse our clinicians’ bios to find a therapist whose experience and approach align with your goals.

Find Your Perfect Match

  • Steven Tsao, PhD

    Steven Tsao, PhD

    Co-Founder of CABT and clinical psychologist trained at Fordham University who specializes in emetophobia, OCD, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and physician mental health.

    READ BIO
  • David Yusko, PsyD

    David Yusko, PsyD

    Co-Founder of CABT and clinical psychologist with a doctorate from Rutgers University who specializes in emetophobia, OCD, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and working with athletes.

    Read Bio
  • Catherine Schuler, PsyD

    Catherine Schuler, PsyD

    Staff psychologist with a doctorate from Xavier University, specializing in emetophobia, OCD, anxiety, emerging eating disorders, and teen mental health.

    Read Bio

Emetophobia Patient Resources

Explore the descriptions below to learn more about each video in the series.

Understand & Cure Your Emetophobia Video Series

“WHY AM I LIKE THIS?”

This video, led by an expert and a recovered emetophobe, explores the medical, neurological, and psychological reasons a person develops emetophobia.

“FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE WITH EMETOPHOBIA

This video reviews the most common questions from people suffering with emetophobia including “Can I get better?”, “Do I have to throw up to get better?”, and “How long does recovery take,” and more.

“HOW DO I GET BETTER"?”

This video reviews the core components of treating emetophobia with ERP, including starting exposure work and addressing safety behaviors.

“Thank you so much for providing a space to talk about this! I have felt so much shame, isolation, and discouragement, and this workshop helped start breaking down some of the shame and gave me hope for improvement!”

— Past Attendee of the Understand & Cure Your Emetophobia Workshop

 FAQs for Patients

  • Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting, seeing others vomit, or feeling nauseated. For many, it causes avoidance behaviors that interfere with daily life, from skipping meals to avoiding travel or social situations. It’s more than just a dislike of vomiting—it's a specific phobia that significantly reduces quality of life and often requires targeted treatment.

  • Yes. With the right approach, emetophobia is highly treatable. Many people who once felt ruled by this fear have successfully recovered through evidence-based therapy. The Emetophobia Institute specializes in helping individuals overcome this condition using proven psychological techniques and a structured recovery program.

  • We offer structured, step-by-step online programs based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Our approach is gentle, self-paced, specifically designed for emetophobia, and custom-generated for the individual client. You’ll also have access to expert guidance, community support, and tailored tools to help you move through fear and reclaim your life.

  • Recovery time varies from person to person. Some individuals notice significant improvement in a matter of weeks, while others may take a few months or longer. The rate of improvement often depends on various factors including the person’s ability to do the “homework,” stay consistent with the therapy sessions, and advance in their journey at a speed that is both challenging and comfortable for them. Our program is flexible, allowing you to progress at a pace that feels manageable and sustainable.

  • Absolutely. Your privacy is a top priority. All participation is confidential, and your information is never shared. You can go attend online classes and/or participate in clinical sessions discreetly from the comfort of your own home. In-person treatment is also available and we follow all ethical and professional standards of patient confidentiality.

  • You’re not alone—many of our members came to us after years of unsuccessful therapy, medications, or self-help. Our program is specifically tailored to the unique features of emetophobia and offers a clear, structured path forward. For many, it’s the breakthrough they’ve been searching for.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Great job on making the decision to seek support. Contact us to schedule your phone consultation.

For Mental Health Professionals

We’re Here to Help You Learn

The Emetophobia Institute is the premier online resource for emetophobia, including the mission to disseminate effective, science-backed treatments. Toward that goal, we offer mental health professionals both a foundational training, and an advanced skills training, on the most effective, state of the art treatment techniques for emetophobia. The experts at CABT are internationally recognized trainers in evidence-based treatments for emetophobia with extensive experience delivering workshops, supervision, and consultation.

CABT offers workshops for mental health professionals to deepen their expertise in emetophobia and evidence-based treatment approaches.

CABT Emetophobia Workshops

Foundational Concepts for Emetophobia

FOUNDATIONAL ERP CONCEPTS FOR EMETOPHOBIA

Learn how to identify emetophobia, distinguish it from other similar disorders, and the key concepts of ERP as they apply to emetophobia. 

ADVANCED TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR EMETOPHOBIA

Go deeper into the application of in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive exposure to effectively treat emetophobia.

Discover more opportunities for learning and growing your expertise by exploring other CABT workshops. Don’t see the one you are looking for? Join our mailing list to be updated on our upcoming workshops.

Looking For More Workshops?

 FAQs for Therapists

  • At the Emetophobia Institute, we have the perfect class for you: our Foundational CBT/ERP Protocol for Emetophobia. This 4-hour introductory workshop is designed for any type of therapist (LPC, MFT, LCSW, PsyD, PhD, MD) who has little to no training or experience using exposure therapy techniques with their clients. You will learn how to harness CBT/ERP therapy to help your client overcome emetophobia. 

  • Absolutely. Sign up for our Advanced Treatment Protocol for Emetophobia. This 4-hour advanced workshop is designed for therapists who have already been utilizing the powerful technique of exposure therapy and are looking to extend that skill to emetophobic clients. It is essential that therapists signing up for this course already have a working knowledge of emotional processing theory, inhibitory learning theory, and hands-on experience using exposure-based therapies. At the completion of this course, you will understand how to utilize advanced techniques for eradicating emetophobia.

From the Blog

Get the latest updates, tools, and guidance from our team.

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Common Misteps in Starting ERP for Emetophobia

COMMON MISTEPS WHEN STARTING ERP FOR EMETEPHOBIA

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