Fear of Vomiting (Emetophobia) Therapy
for Pre-teens, Teens, & Young Adults
When fear of getting sick starts controlling food, school, and everyday life… and reassurance no longer works.
Parents often come to me when their teen:
Constantly worries about throwing up or getting sick
Panics over stomach sensations or nausea
Avoids eating, restaurants, or certain foods
Stops going to school, sleepovers, or activities
Needs endless reassurance but never actually feels better
If this sounds like your teen, you’re in the right place.
This is one of the main issues I specialize in.
When Fear Quietly Takes Over
Emetophobia usually starts small… but it grows over time.
Parents often tell me things like:
“She constantly asks if she is going to get sick or throw up.”
“He is always nauseous and constantly holding his stomach.”
“We stopped going to restaurants.”
“She hasn’t slept at a friend’s house in months.”
Your teen may know the fear doesn’t make sense and that it’s irrational
BUT it still feels real and it can take over their life.
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Why Families Choose to Work With Me
Parents usually find me when:
Reassurance isn’t helping (or is making things worse)
Fear keeps spreading
Their child is avoiding food or activities they usually enjoy
Their teen is exhausted and scared
They’ve tried talking about it, but nothing changes
When we work together, parents often notice:
Their teen feels understood and validated
Fear stops dictating every decision
Avoidance slowly decreases
Confidence returns
Home and school becomes calmer again
You’re not failing.
This fear pattern needs a specialist and this is what I do.
Why Talk Therapy Alone Often Doesn’t Help Emetophobia
Many teens with emetophobia have already done talk therapy… sometimes for months with little to no progress.
The issue is that talk therapy does not work for fear of vomiting.
Emetophobia isn’t driven by logic.
Most teens already understand the fear isn’t rational.
Talking about the fear or analyzing it can unintentionally:
Make the fear feel more important
Increase body-checking
Reinforce reassurance
Strengthen avoidance
Parents often say: “We talked and talked… but nothing actually changed.”
Your teen doesn’t need to be more aware of their body.
They need a different kind of support.
How I Help Teens Move Forward
I help teens:
Understand why nausea and uncertainty feel so threatening
Respond differently to fear instead of feeding it
Build confidence in their body
Return to eating, school, sports, and normal life
Gradually face avoided situations in a safe, supported way
We move slowly, patiently, and at a pace your child can tolerate. The important thing is that we will move forward.
You Don’t Have to Wait for Things to Get Worse
Fear of vomiting might come and go in waves, but it rarely ever goes away on its own.
The sooner you get the right support, the easier it is for your teen to get unstuck.