A New Take on Exposure Therapy (and Why You Don’t Have to Fear Exposure)

I have feelings when I read or hear misinformation about exposure therapies (often coming from well-meaning but misinformed therapists). This comes from a place of protection and desire for people who are suffering to have access to (and not fear) the very thing that can help them reclaim their lives from the vice grip of fear and anxiety. I have spent over 15 years helping people recover from phobias, obsessions and compulsions, and painful traumatic memories. I have witnessed some of the most incredible healing journeys and transformations, and all of it was made possible by exposure therapies.

Exposure Therapy, Anxiety, emetophobia, Evidence-Based Therapy, Postpartum OCD, PTSD, TraumaSara NettJuly 29, 2025

When the Fear of Vomiting Takes Over Motherhood: Emetophobia in the Postpartum Period and Beyond

I know, it’s gross. No one is a fan of vomit. But for those living with emetophobia (the intense fear of vomiting), thinking about nausea and vomiting isn’t just gross, it can make it incredibly difficult to live a vital, meaningful life.

emetophobia, Postpartum OCD, Anxiety, Evidence-Based Therapy, Exposure TherapySara NettJuly 19, 2025

When Clean Doesn’t Feel Safe: Understanding Contamination OCD in Motherhood

For new mothers, keeping a baby safe and healthy is a top priority. But for some, this responsibility becomes clouded by fear, guilt, and rituals that take over daily life. This might look like: repeated hand washing and sanitizing routines; engaging in time consuming rituals that provide only temporary relief from feelings of uneasiness; choosing isolation over the company of loved ones, due to fear of illness or contamination; experiencing irritation, anger, and rage when others interrupt or do not follow important safety protocols. If safety behaviors consume your waking hours and motherhood looks and feels nothing like you imagined, this might be more than “new parent anxiety;” you might be experiencing postpartum OCD.