Em
etophobia— the intense fear of vomiting — is more common than many people realise. For some, it’s a mild discomfort around sickness, but for others, it can become a daily struggle that impacts every part of life. People with emetophobia might avoid certain foods, social situations, public transport, or even pregnancy for fear of being sick or seeing someone else vomit. It can lead to anxiety, obsessive checking behaviours, and a constant sense of worry or dread.
Understanding Emetophobia
Emetophobia is not simply a dislike of being sick — it’s a powerful and often overwhelming fear that can cause both emotional and physical symptoms. These might include:
Racing thoughts and intrusive worries about illness or contamination
Avoidance of certain places or situations where sickness might occur
Compulsive behaviours, such as excessive cleaning or checking food
Nausea, dizziness, or panic attacks when triggered
This phobia can feel exhausting, but it’s important to understand that it’s your brain’s way of trying to keep you safe. The problem is that the brain becomes overprotective, responding as though there’s danger when there isn’t. The good news is that your brain can learn new, calmer responses — and that’s exactly what Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for emetophobia helps you achieve.
A Solution Focused Approach
I use Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, an evidence-based and forward-thinking approach that blends hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, and elements of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Rather than focusing on the cause of the phobia or re-living past experiences, we focus on how you’d like to feel instead — calm, confident, and in control.
We begin with a consultation held over zoom , where I take the time to understand your unique experience of emetophobia and explore your best hopes for therapy. This helps us build a clear vision of the changes you’d like to see in your life, and each session moves you a step closer to achieving that outcome.
Rooted in Neuroscience
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is rooted in neuroscience — the study of how the brain works. During our sessions, I’ll teach you about how anxiety and fear are created in the brain, and how we can calm the parts responsible for the “fight or flight” response. Understanding what’s happening in your brain is empowering; it helps you make sense of your symptoms and gives you real tools to take back control.
Many clients find that once they understand the science behind their phobia, the fear already begins to lessen. From there, we use practical techniques and hypnosis to strengthen the brain’s ability to stay calm, balanced, and resilient.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural, relaxed state of focused attention — similar to daydreaming or becoming absorbed in a good book. You remain in complete control throughout. During hypnosis, your mind becomes more open to positive suggestions and new ways of thinking, helping you make meaningful changes at a deeper, subconscious level.
You won’t be “asleep” or “under someone’s control.” Instead, you’ll feel deeply relaxed and focused, allowing your mind to process information in a powerful and beneficial way. This is where long-term change begins.
Working with the Conscious and Unconscious Mind
Our conscious mind helps us reason and make decisions, but it’s the unconscious mind that stores habits, emotions, and automatic responses — including those linked to fear. In hypnotherapy for emetophobia, we work with both.
As you relax into hypnosis, your conscious and unconscious minds work together harmoniously, allowing you to release unhelpful fear responses and build new, calmer associations. Over time, this helps you feel at ease in situations that once felt overwhelming.
Moving Forward
Emetophobia treatment with Solution Focused Hypnotherapy offers a gentle, empowering way to overcome the fear of vomiting and regain control of your life. With the right support, understanding, and techniques, your mind can learn to respond differently — calmly, confidently, and in control.
If you’d like to learn more about how Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with emetophobia, anxiety, or other phobias, I offer an initial consultation where we can talk about your goals and create a plan that feels right for you.
In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety and stress have become all too common. The constant demands of work, relationships, and daily responsibilities can leave us feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted. If you’re struggling with anxiety or stress, Solution Focused Hypnotherapy could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Whether you visit me in my Bristol therapy room or work with me online, this powerful approach can help you regain control of your thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being.