Emetophobia Treatment in Ontario: CBT & Exposure Therapy
Last updated: September 16, 2026
Fear of vomiting can take over your life. It affects what you eat, where you go, and whether you leave the house at all. If this sounds familiar, you may be struggling with emetophobia — and you are not alone.
The good news is that treatment is available. CBT and exposure therapy can help you take back control, one manageable step at a time.
At Virtual CBT Psychotherapy, our therapists specialize in CBT for emetophobia across Ontario. We also have therapists who can provide therapy to residents of B.C., Yukon, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Therapy is online and from the comfort of your home.
Book a free 15-minute call to learn how a CBT therapist can help.
What Is Emetophobia? (Fear of Vomiting Explained)
Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting or throwing up. If you have emetophobia, the thought of being sick brings intense fear. You may feel the same fear when you see someone else get sick.
Emetophobia vs Other Mental Health Disorders
You will need to determine your “core fears” to find out if your condition is emetophobia. These are your deepest concerns about what might happen.
You can ask yourself: what am I worried will happen if I vomit? Or, what am I worried will happen if someone else vomits?
If you have a fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit, you might have emetophobia.
If you worry about others judging you for vomiting, then you might be struggling with social anxiety. Learn more about CBT for social anxiety.
If you’re scared of getting sick from vomit, you could have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Learn more about OCD and emetophobia.
If you worry about many things, you may be dealing with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
We provide online psychological assessments. You can get a formal diagnosis before starting treatment.
Book a free 15-minute call. Our Clinical Directors will help match you with a therapist.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Emetophobia?
Emetophobia can cause a variety of physical and psychological symptoms (Cleveland Clinic, 2023; Faye et al., 2013). These may include:
Intense emotions like anxiety, disgust or shame. You may even be struggling with symptoms of depression because you feel hopeless and different.
Avoidance of situations, places or activities that may trigger anxiety or vomiting.
You might avoid:
Certain foods (like chicken or sushi)
Young children
Crowds
Sick people
Public washrooms
Alcohol
And more
You might experience obsessive thoughts and rituals (or safety behaviours) around cleanliness or avoiding germs. People who fear vomit often try to stay safe. They might overcook meat, wash their hands too much, or throw out food early. Some use a lot of hand sanitizer, clean often, or distract themselves from their anxiety. People may also carry a water bottle with them, or anti-nausea medications like Gravol.
Physical symptoms when thinking about vomit, such as nausea, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.
Catastrophic thoughts about vomiting can include:
“I will never stop vomiting.”
“People will judge me.”
“I won’t be able to cope.”
“I could choke on my vomit and die.”
“I could lose control.”
Emetophobia: What Is It and How to Treat It? (Source: Kati Morton)
How Common Is Emetophobia in Canada?
If you struggle with emetophobia, you are not alone. Specific phobias are among the most common anxiety disorders, affecting roughly 7–9% of people in any given year (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). In Canada, the 12-month rate of generalized anxiety disorder doubled between 2012 and 2022, from 2.6% to 5.2%. More than one in three Canadians with a mood or anxiety disorder said their need for care went unmet or only partly met (Statistics Canada, 2023).
Estimates for emetophobia itself vary. A 2025 review of 31 studies put the figure at about 5% of the population (Meule et al., 2025). Most people develop symptoms around the age of 10. About 91% of those affected are female. Many also live with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or depression.
Emetophobia usually starts in late childhood. On average, people live with it for about 25 years before they seek treatment (Keyes et al., 2018). You do not have to wait that long.
This phobia can affect your daily life. It can make it hard to go to school, work, or social events. You may avoid certain foods, young children, or social settings.
What Causes Emetophobia?
Researchers do not fully know what causes emetophobia. They believe a mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors plays a part. Traumatic events can lead to emetophobia. For example, a serious illness or a negative experience with vomiting may trigger this fear.
There may be several reasons you developed a fear of vomiting. If you can't point to one, that's normal. Sometimes phobias develop for no clear reason.
Best Treatment for Emetophobia: How CBT Works
CBT for Emetophobia: What to Expect
CBT for emetophobia is one of the most effective treatments available. It helps you identify the thoughts and behaviours that keep anxiety going. CBT also teaches you how to change them.
In CBT for vomit phobia, your therapist will help you:
Identify what triggers your fear.
Challenge unhelpful beliefs about vomiting.
Face situations you've been avoiding.
Research shows that CBT can reduce symptoms of emetophobia. In the only randomised trial to date, half of the people who received 12 sessions of CBT made clinically significant gains, compared with 16% of those on a waitlist (Riddle-Walker et al., 2016). At Virtual CBT Psychotherapy, our therapists customize each treatment plan for your unique fears and avoidance habits.
Book a free 15-minute call to learn how CBT can help. No pressure, we are here to help!
Learn more about our Online CBT Therapists for Phobias.
Exposure Therapy for Emetophobia (CBT Treatment Guide)
Exposure therapy is a CBT treatment. It helps people face their fears. We do this in a safe and controlled way. Exposure-based CBT has the strongest research support for emetophobia (Keyes et al., 2018).
Learn more about exposure therapy for anxiety.
Examples of Exposures for Emetophobia
Below are some examples of exposures that can be helpful for emetophobia. Everyone’s experience is different, so treat these as ideas, not a checklist.
Writing trigger words (e.g., vomit, barf, puke, hurl, gag)
Writing trigger sentences (e.g., I will vomit)
Looking at images of vomit or people vomiting
Watching videos of people vomiting
Listening to the sounds of people vomiting
Making fake vomit
Approaching places that you avoid because of the fear of vomiting
Spending time around kids without using safety behaviours
Imaginal exposure of your worst fears coming true
Your therapist may also add interoceptive exposure (e.g., feeling dizzy or like you could gag or vomit)
These examples highlight exposures that can support exposure therapy for vomit phobia. Work through exposures with a qualified therapist. A therapist can help you adapt them to your needs and guide you in practising them safely.
Eliminating Safety Behaviours (or “Response Prevention”)
A good treatment plan also helps you stop safety behaviours. This is something that therapists often overlook. Many therapists teach safety behaviours without realizing it. If you struggle with emetophobia, you may have quite a few of these.
Although these behaviours make you feel better in the short term, they could worsen your long-term symptoms. Learn more about safety behaviours.
A good treatment plan will help you write out a plan to drop your safety behaviours. You can stop all your behaviours at once, or you can gradually cut them out. We recommend that you have a written plan to stop safety behaviours because you may have a lot of them.
To learn more about how CBT and exposure therapy can help, book a free 15-minute call.
Medications for Emetophobia
If your emetophobia is severe, talk to your doctor or a psychiatrist about whether medication could help. In general, some people will need a combination of mental health counselling and medication.
Alternative Treatments for Emetophobia
For those looking beyond traditional therapies, several alternative approaches can help manage emetophobia.
EMDR Therapy for Emetophobia
Some case reports suggest EMDR may help with a fear of vomiting, especially when a specific distressing memory sits behind the fear (de Jongh, 2012). The research base is small, so we usually recommend EMDR alongside CBT rather than instead of it.
Read more about the benefits of EMDR. Discover the differences between CBT and EMDR.
Mindfulness for Emetophobia
Research supports the use of mindfulness in managing anxiety and stress. Studies show that these practices can improve emotional regulation. This means that it may help with anxiety related to emetophobia (Keng et al., 2011). It’s important to practise mindfulness to see its full benefits.
Will I Have to Make Myself Vomit to Overcome Emetophobia?
No, you probably don’t have to make yourself vomit to overcome emetophobia. Facing a fear doesn’t mean experiencing the worst-case scenario. CBT focuses on understanding and managing your reactions to the fear without needing to actually vomit.
CBT uses gentle, gradual steps to help reduce anxiety around vomiting. The goal is to build your comfort and confidence over time without forcing you into distressing situations. Exposures should feel challenging but manageable.
Tips for Managing Emetophobia at Home
People with emetophobia can also try a few simple ways to manage their fear and anxiety. These may include:
Practising relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. Schedule time to practise relaxation techniques. This helps avoid them becoming a “safety behaviour.” A safety behaviour can make you feel better right away. But it will keep your symptoms going in the long run.
Consider cutting back your avoidance behaviours and stopping your safety behaviours.
Use a thought record to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. This helps reduce anxiety and fear.
Learn how to practise mindfulness.
A fear of vomiting can take over your life. It is also treatable. With the right support, people with emetophobia learn to manage their anxiety.
If you or someone you know has emetophobia, please get professional help and support. Remember that you are not alone and there is hope for recovery.
How to Help Someone with Emetophobia
Supporting someone with emetophobia requires understanding and patience. Here are some ways to help:
Listen Without Judgment.
Take time to listen. Validate their fears without minimizing them, even if you don’t understand. A calm, accepting attitude helps them feel safe.
Be Patient.
Recognize that this phobia won’t disappear overnight. Avoid pushing them into situations that might feel overwhelming. Instead, let them set the pace.
Ask What They Need.
Everyone’s experience with emetophobia is unique. Ask them what would be helpful in stressful moments or when their anxiety spikes. Some people find it calming to have company, while others may need quiet or reassurance.
Encourage Small Steps.
Celebrate any small progress they make. It could be as simple as talking about their fear or making small steps to approach their fears. Small victories build confidence over time.
Educate Yourself.
Learning about emetophobia can help you better understand what your loved one is going through. The more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to offer meaningful support.
Encourage Professional Help.
Let them know it’s okay to seek professional help, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Therapists can guide them through techniques that reduce their fear and help them feel more in control.
Vomit Phobia Resources
Books on Emetophobia
Free Yourself from Emetophobia: A CBT Self-Help Guide for a Fear of Vomiting by Alexandra Keyes and David Veale (2021)
The Emetophobia Manual: Free Yourself from the Fear of Vomit and Reclaim Your Life by Ken Goodman (2020)
Vomit Phobia Resources for Exposures
We like these websites for exposure ideas (e.g., videos, photos):
Although these resources can be helpful, you may want to meet with a therapist. A therapist can help you feel safe and make a personalized exposure plan with you.
Webinars on Emetophobia
How to Free Yourself from the Fear of Vomit and Reclaim Your Life by Ken Goodman (2024)
A Healing Journey Shared by Therapist and Client by Ken Goodman (2021)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Emetophobia
What is the fear of throwing up called?
The fear of throwing up is called emetophobia. It is a specific phobia, which means the fear centres on one thing rather than many. People with emetophobia fear vomiting themselves, seeing someone else vomit, or both. You may also hear it called vomit phobia or a fear of barf.
How common is emetophobia?
Estimates vary. A 2025 review of 31 studies put the figure at about 5% of people (Meule et al., 2025). It usually starts around age 10, and about 91% of those affected are women. Many people live with it for years before they reach out for help.
Why is emetophobia so common?
Vomiting is uncomfortable and messy, and it often happens without warning. Disgust is a normal human reaction, so it makes sense that some people fear it. For others, the fear starts with a bad experience in the past or from seeing someone else get sick.
Can emetophobia cause stomach problems?
Yes, emetophobia can cause real physical stomach symptoms. Anxiety sets off your body's stress response, which can bring on nausea, stomach aches, or a tight feeling in your belly. These are anxiety symptoms, not signs of illness. That can turn into a loop: the fear of vomiting makes you feel more nauseous.
Can emetophobia cause vomiting?
It's possible, but not common. Anxiety can sometimes lead to vomiting. Most people with emetophobia work hard to avoid it, and many never actually vomit. If it does happen to you, it's worth speaking with your family doctor to rule out other causes.
Can emetophobia be cured?
Therapists tend to avoid the word “cure”. What we can say is that emetophobia responds to treatment. In the only randomised trial of CBT for emetophobia, half the people who had 12 sessions made clinically significant gains, compared with 16% of those on a waitlist (Riddle-Walker et al., 2016).
How many sessions does emetophobia treatment take?
It varies. The one randomised trial of CBT for emetophobia used 12 sessions (Riddle-Walker et al., 2016). Some people need fewer, and others need more. Your therapist will review your progress with you and adjust the plan as you go.
Who can diagnose emetophobia in Ontario, Canada?
A psychologist, doctor, or psychiatrist can diagnose emetophobia. They will ask about your fears, how long you have had them, and how much they affect your daily life. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy. We also offer online psychological assessments if you want one.
Can my teen get therapy for emetophobia?
Yes. Emetophobia often starts in childhood, around age 10 (Meule et al., 2025). We work with teens as well as adults. Parents book the free 15-minute call, and our Clinical Directors match your teen with a therapist who treats emetophobia in young people. Learn more about our online teen therapy.
How much does emetophobia therapy cost in Ontario?
Our fees depend on your therapist's designation and experience. Sessions range from $185 to $270. We are a private-pay clinic, so we do not bill OHIP. Many extended health plans cover therapy from a social worker, psychotherapist, or psychologist. Learn more about our therapy fees.
Can I see an emetophobia therapist online in Ontario?
Yes. At Virtual CBT Psychotherapy, you meet with a therapist online. You can see an emetophobia specialist from anywhere in Ontario, B.C., Yukon, Nova Scotia, or Quebec. Research on online CBT for anxiety disorders shows outcomes comparable to in-person therapy (Andersson et al., 2014; Carlbring et al., 2018).
Getting Started with an Emetophobia Therapist
At Virtual CBT Psychotherapy, our therapists focus on exposure therapy and CBT for emetophobia. Treating emetophobia is one of our core specialties.
Ready to take the first step? Book your free 15-minute call. No commitment required. Our Clinical Directors (Celissa or Melissa) will match you with a therapist who understands vomit phobia and knows how to help.
Check your benefits. See if your plan covers therapy from a social worker, psychotherapist, or clinical psychologist. Learn more about our therapy fees.
Written by Celissa Vipond, RSW, MSW — emetophobia therapist in Ontario.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Andersson, G., Cuijpers, P., Carlbring, P., Riper, H., & Hedman, E. (2014). Guided internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World Psychiatry, 13(3), 288–295. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20151
Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., & Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. (2018). Internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 47(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2017.1401115
Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Emetophobia (fear of vomiting). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25115-emetophobia-fear-of-vomiting
de Jongh, A. (2012). Treatment of a woman with emetophobia: A trauma focused approach. Mental Illness, 4(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.4081/mi.2012.e3
Faye, A. D., Gawande, S., Tadke, R., Kirpekar, V. C., & Bhave, S. H. (2013). Emetophobia: A fear of vomiting. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(4), 390–392. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.120556
Keng, S.-L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041–1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006
Keyes, A., Gilpin, H. R., & Veale, D. (2018). Phenomenology, epidemiology, co-morbidity and treatment of a specific phobia of vomiting: A systematic review of an understudied disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 60, 15–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.12.002
Meule, A., Seufert, L., & Kolar, D. R. (2025). Emetophobia (fear of vomiting): A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 114, 103053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103053
Riddle-Walker, L., Veale, D., Chapman, C., Ogle, F., Rosko, D., Najmi, S., Walker, L. M., Maceachern, P., & Hicks, T. (2016). Cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobia of vomiting (emetophobia): A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 43, 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.005
Statistics Canada. (2023). Mental disorders and access to mental health care. Insights on Canadian Society. Catalogue no. 75-006-X. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.htm
