Phobias

Fear shouldn't decide where you go.

Specific phobias are among the most treatable anxiety problems. If you've been arranging your life around a fear, like vomiting, needles, flying or leaving the house, exposure therapy can help you get that life back.

Emetophobia

Fear of vomiting is one of my main areas of work.

Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting. It's one of the things I work with most, and I have a lot of experience treating it. It can quietly shape what you eat, where you go, whether you travel and how you feel around other people. It can also take up hours of your day in checking, avoiding and preparing.

Treatment is exposure-based and happens step by step. We work on the fear itself, and on the avoidance and safety behaviours that keep it going, at a pace that feels challenging but doable.

I can treat food avoidance when it's part of emetophobia and you're medically stable. I don't treat ARFID, eating disorders or conditions that need medical or nutritional monitoring.

What I treat

Phobias I work with.

  • Emetophobia

    Fear of vomiting, of seeing or hearing others vomit, or of being sick in public.

  • Needles, blood and medical procedures

    Fear of injections, blood draws, the sight of blood or medical settings, especially when it keeps you from getting care you need.

  • Fear of flying

    From avoiding trips altogether to white-knuckling every flight.

  • Agoraphobia

    Avoiding places or situations where you fear panic, or where escape would feel difficult.

  • Dental fears

    Fear of the dentist or dental procedures that keeps you from getting care.

  • Animals and insects

    Fear of dogs, spiders, bees or other animals and insects that limits where you go.

  • Other specific phobias

    This isn't an exhaustive list. If your fear isn't here, ask me about it in a free consultation.

How treatment works

Step by step, at a pace you help choose.

  1. 1

    Map the fear

    We look at what you fear, what you avoid and what's keeping the fear going.

  2. 2

    Build your ladder

    Together, we build a graded list of steps, from easier to harder.

  3. 3

    Practice

    We practice in session and in the real places the fear shows up, so you learn it's something you can handle.

  4. 4

    Keep going

    We make sure your progress lasts and plan for setbacks.

More about my approach →

Phobia questions

What people often ask.

Will I have to face my worst fear right away?
No. We start where you're ready to start and build gradually. You help choose every step.
Can phobia treatment really work over video?
Yes. Research supports exposure therapy delivered by video, and virtual sessions let us practice where the fear actually shows up, whether that's your kitchen, a grocery store or your commute.
How long does treatment take?
It varies, but specific phobias often respond well to focused exposure work. We'll talk about what to expect for you. If you'd like more concentrated support, therapy intensives can be a good option.

Ready to take the first step?

Request a free 20-minute consultation. If I'm not the right fit, I'll help you find someone who is.

Request a free consultation