What is emetophobia and what causes it?

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. It is estimated that up to 387 million people worldwide struggle with emetophobia, affecting approximately 7% of women and 2% of men at some point in their life.

Can emetophobia be cured or treated successfully?

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. CABT's Emetophobia Institute specializes in helping individuals overcome this condition using proven psychological techniques including ERP, CBT, and ACT.

What if I've already tried therapy and nothing has worked for my emetophobia?

You're not alone — many of our patients came to us after years of unsuccessful therapy, medications, or self-help. Most general therapists are not trained in emetophobia-specific treatment. CABT's approach is specifically tailored to the unique features of emetophobia and offers a clear, structured path forward using ERP and ACT. For many patients, it's the breakthrough they've been searching for.

What treatments does CABT use for emetophobia?

CABT uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and interoceptive exposure — a technique that addresses the physical sensations like nausea and dizziness that trigger anxiety. Treatment is individually tailored to each patient's specific fears, triggers, and avoidance behaviors, and augmented with other evidence-based approaches such as DBT or Behavioral Activation as needed.

What does emetophobia therapy actually look like at CABT?

Treatment at CABT starts with a thorough assessment of your specific fears, triggers, and avoidance behaviors. From there your therapist will build a personalized treatment plan using ERP, ACT, and interoceptive exposure. Sessions are collaborative and paced to what feels challenging but manageable for you. Both in-person sessions at our Bryn Mawr, PA office and telehealth sessions throughout Pennsylvania are available.

Is emetophobia related to OCD or anxiety?

Yes — emetophobia often overlaps with OCD and anxiety disorders. Many people with emetophobia experience obsessive thoughts about vomiting, compulsive safety behaviors like checking expiration dates or avoiding certain foods, and hypervigilance about bodily sensations. This is why ERP — the gold-standard treatment for OCD — is also one of the most effective treatments for emetophobia. CABT specializes in both conditions, making it uniquely positioned to treat emetophobia in all its presentations.

How long does emetophobia treatment take?

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 the person's ability to engage with between-session practice, stay consistent with therapy, and advance at a speed that is both challenging and manageable. Your therapist will discuss a realistic timeline during the early stages of treatment.

Do you treat emetophobia in children and teenagers?

Yes. Emetophobia frequently develops in childhood and adolescence, and CABT treats young patients as well as adults. Our clinicians are trained in age-appropriate ERP and involve parents in treatment in a way that supports, rather than inadvertently reinforces, avoidance behaviors.

Do you offer telehealth emetophobia therapy in Pennsylvania?

Yes. CABT offers virtual emetophobia therapy throughout Pennsylvania. For many patients, telehealth is actually ideal for emetophobia treatment because exposures can be done in real-life environments, your kitchen, your car, your usual routines, rather than a clinical setting. We also offer in-person sessions at our Bryn Mawr, PA office for patients in the greater Philadelphia area.

Is emetophobia therapy confidential?

Absolutely. Your privacy is a top priority. All participation is confidential and your information is never shared. You can attend sessions discreetly from the comfort of your own home via telehealth, or in person at our Bryn Mawr, PA office. CABT follows all ethical and professional standards of patient confidentiality.

Do you accept insurance for emetophobia treatment?

We do not accept insurance, but instead offer a range of fees to help make our services more accessible; please reach out for our most up-to-date rates. If your health insurance has out-of-network benefits, we can provide Superbills for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance company directly to confirm your benefits, and how to access them.

How do I start emetophobia treatment at CABT?

The first step is a free 15-minute intake call with a member of our team. You can get started by calling (610) 455-5757, emailing newpatient@centerabt.com, or completing our contact form.

The premier online resource for emetophobia — for mental health professionals at all experience levels and those supporting someone with emetophobia.

The CABT Emetophobia Institute

Emetophobia is an intense, persistent fear of vomiting, including fear of vomiting yourself, being around others who vomit, being vomited on, or seeing or hearing anything vomit-related. It is one of the most common anxiety disorders in the world, yet one of the least talked about.

Up to 387 million people worldwide suffer from emetophobia, 195 million more than those who fear flying, and 118 million more than those who fear spiders. It affects approximately 7% of women and 2% of men at some point in their lives. Despite how widespread it is, emetophobia remains significantly misunderstood, even within the mental health profession.

Blue sky representing hope and recovery from emetophobia through the CABT Emetophobia Institute

The CABT Emetophobia Institute intends to change this

Whether you are a person living with emetophobia, someone supporting a loved one, or a mental health professional looking to treat it effectively, this is your resource.

Looking to become a new emetophobia patient with CABT?

BOOK FREE INTAKE CALL

Are you a therapist hoping to enroll in an emetophobia workshop?

EXPLORE WORKSHOPS

Our Core Missions

Woman seeking support for emetophobia fear of vomiting through CABT evidence-based treatment

Support People Living with Emetophobia

At CABT, our therapists are among the most experienced emetophobia specialists in the country — all extensively trained in ERP, the gold standard treatment for emetophobia. We also deliver support directly to emetophobes through self-guided video programs designed to help them understand their fear and begin their path to recovery.

Looking for emetophobia treatment? Visit our emetophobia treatment page to meet our therapists and book a free intake call.

Train mental health professionals in emetophobia treatment

Mental health researchers and professionals collaborating on emetophobia research at CABT

Our experts are internationally recognized trainers in evidence-based emetophobia treatment, with over 50 years of combined experience and extensive backgrounds in delivering workshops, supervision, and consultation.

We offer mental health professionals both foundational and advanced skills training in the most effective, state-of-the-art treatment techniques for emetophobia, plus expert consultation for clinicians seeking post-training support with their patients.

EXPLORE WORKSHOPS

Build research and data on emetophobia

Emetophobia is one of the most under-researched anxiety disorders in existence. In partnership with Bia Journey and Dr. Anu Asnaani at the University of Utah, the CABT Emetophobia Institute is actively building the evidence base — so we can understand emetophobia more deeply, treat it more effectively, and give emetophobics the scientific attention they deserve.

Emetophobia Workshops for Therapists

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

Therapist delivering foundational ERP treatment for emetophobia in a clinical session

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.

Learn more

Therapist delivering advanced emetophobia ERP treatment protocol in a clinical session

ADVANCED TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR EMETOPHOBIA

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

Learn more

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?

EXPLORE WORKSHOPS

Gag Reflections

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.

Buy Now

A BOOK FOR BOTH THERAPISTS & EMETOPHOBES

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

Interested in a Kids & Teens story about facing fears in Emetophobia? Check out this newly published short story that we recommend:

Bodie and the Ghost Showdown: An Emetophobia Story

Frequently Asked Questions About Emetophobia Resources

Emetophobia is an intense, persistent fear of vomiting, including fear of vomiting yourself, seeing others vomit, or anything vomit-related. While it shares features with OCD, specific phobias, and health anxiety, emetophobia has unique characteristics that require specialized assessment and treatment. Many clinicians misdiagnose it or treat it as generalized anxiety, which is why specialized training is essential.
More common than most clinicians realize. Emetophobia affects approximately 7% of women and 2% of men at some point in their lives — yet most mental health professionals receive no training on it. Many emetophobes spend years in therapy without receiving effective treatment because their clinician lacks the specialized knowledge to treat it correctly.
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.
Familiarity with ERP and exposure-based therapies is helpful but not required for our foundational workshop. Our training is designed to meet clinicians where they are — whether you have extensive ERP experience or are newer to exposure-based work. The foundational workshop covers everything you need to begin treating emetophobia effectively.
Not exactly. While ERP is the gold-standard treatment, emetophobia requires a specialized approach that addresses the unique safety behaviors, avoidance patterns, and interoceptive triggers that drive it. Standard phobia protocols often miss key components of emetophobia treatment, which is why CABT developed dedicated foundational and advanced training specifically for this disorder.
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.
Yes, and we recommend it. The foundational workshop provides the conceptual framework and core ERP techniques for emetophobia. The advanced workshop builds on that foundation with in-depth application of in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive exposure techniques. Together they provide comprehensive training in the most effective, state-of-the-art emetophobia treatment available.
Our workshops are open to licensed mental health professionals at all levels, including LPCs, LCSWs, MFTs, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Pre-licensed clinicians working under supervision may also attend. The advanced workshop requires prior foundational knowledge of CBT and ERP, either through our foundational workshop or equivalent training.
Yes. Beyond our workshops, CABT offers individual and group consultation for mental health professionals who are actively treating emetophobe clients and want expert guidance. Consultation can be one-time or ongoing, virtual or in-person, and is tailored to your specific clinical needs. Learn more about consultation.

More Emetophobia Resources

In-depth articles on emetophobia, ERP therapy, and fear of vomiting from the specialists at CABT's Emetophobia Institute.

HOW ERP WORKS IN HELPING YOU RECOVER FROM EMETOPHOBIA

Emetophobia, the fear of vomiting, can be a deeply debilitating condition…

Patient with emetophobia works with expert CABT therapist on ERP for emetophobia treatment in Bryn Mawr, PA

WHY DO I HAVE EMETOPHOBIA?

Behind the question is usually the motivation to get better…

CABT therapist works with patient to start ERP for emetophobia treatment in greater Philadelphia area

COMMON MISTEPS WHEN STARTING ERP FOR EMETOPHOBIA

Starting ERP for emetophobia is a courageous step toward freedom…