Jenn Lowe, LPC, LCMHC, RPT-S

I specialize in helping women who struggle with emetophobia (the fear of vomiting). As both a therapist and doctoral researcher, I have dedicated much of my professional work to understanding how emetophobia affects women's lives, relationships, decisions about pregnancy and motherhood, and experiences seeking mental health treatment. Emetophobia is much more than a fear of getting sick. It can influence what you eat, where you go, how you respond when your children are ill, and even whether you decide to become pregnant. You may find yourself constantly monitoring your body for nausea, worrying about stomach viruses, avoiding certain foods, or planning your life around the possibility of vomiting. Perhaps you have tried therapy before but felt that your therapist did not fully understand your fear. Or maybe you have avoided seeking treatment because the idea of exposure therapy sounds just as frightening as the phobia itself. Through my clinical work and research, I have developed a deeper understanding of the ways women experience emetophobia and the challenges they encounter when seeking treatment. I incorporate evidence-based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). My approach is individualized and collaborative, with an emphasis on helping you gradually reduce avoidance, navigate uncertainty, and reclaim parts of your life that emetophobia has restricted. My goal is not to promise a life without nausea, illness, or uncertainty. It is to help you build a life in which fear of vomiting no longer makes so many of your decisions for you.

Finding a therapist who truly understands emetophobia can be challenging. Many people have spent years seeking reassurance, avoiding situations that trigger their fears, or participating in therapy that addresses general anxiety without directly addressing their fear of vomiting. My work focuses on both the clinical treatment and research of emetophobia. Through my doctoral research, I have explored the lived experiences of women with emetophobia, including their struggles with uncertainty, avoidance, relationships, motherhood, and experiences in therapy. This research has deepened my understanding of the ways emetophobia can shape a person's life and the importance of feeling understood throughout treatment. I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help clients gradually approach situations they have been avoiding while learning to respond differently to anxious thoughts and uncomfortable sensations. Treatment may involve addressing fears about nausea, food, illness, travel, or caring for sick family members. Exposure therapy can sound intimidating, particularly when you have spent years trying to avoid anything associated with vomiting. Therapy does not require you to intentionally vomit, and we work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan that considers your goals and readiness. My goal is not simply to help you feel less anxious in the moment. It is to help you build the confidence and flexibility to participate more fully in your life, even when uncertainty is present. I offer in-person therapy in Jackson, Michigan, and online counseling for clients located in Michigan and North Carolina.