Each year, as the temperature rises and the layers come off, I see a seasonal shift in my therapy room.
For many, summer means freedom, travel, and lightness but for a growing number of clients I work with, it brings food anxiety, body image distress, and a surprising but deeply distressing condition: emetophobia, the intense fear of vomiting or seeing someone else vomit.
These patterns aren’t just coincidences. Summer can trigger psychological discomfort in very specific ways, and when left unchecked, those triggers can become deeply disruptive. But with the right tools and with therapeutic methods that work with the brain, not against it – it’s entirely possible to find freedom again.
Summer pressures: the perfect storm
There’s something about summer that magnifies internal pressures. Clothing is lighter. Bodies are more visible. Diet culture ramps up with “beach body” narratives, and social media feeds become flooded with before-and-after shots and “what I eat in a day” videos.
For clients already struggling with their relationship with food, this creates a perfect storm of comparison, self-criticism and, for some, disordered eating patterns. Emotional eating or eating disorders often becomes a form of comfort or control. It’s typically rooted in fears related to body image, such as gaining weight, becoming “fat”, or losing control over food. In other cases, clients avoid food altogether – skipping meals, restricting certain food groups, or experiencing guilt for eating something “bad.”
For those with emetophobia, summer adds a whole new layer of anxiety. Travel plans, food-focused gatherings, and the prevalence of alcohol can lead to avoidance of events altogether. Many feel ashamed of their fear; it’s not something easily talked about, yet it has very real consequences – social withdrawal, food restriction, even fear of leaving the house.
What is emetophobia?
Emetophobia is often misunderstood, even by those who suffer from it. It’s not just a dislike of being sick; it’s a visceral fear that can control someone’s daily decisions – what they eat, where they go, who they spend time with.
It can be triggered by specific foods, environments (like planes, buses, or hospitals), or even watching someone else drink too much at a party. It’s a condition that often flies under the radar but significantly impacts quality of life especially in summer, when travel and socialising are heightened.
A different way forward: how BWRT can help
One of the main challenges with traditional therapy for these issues is the time it can take to unpick the layers. Many clients feel overwhelmed at the thought of talking through their past experiences or traumatic memories and in truth, some don’t even know where the problem started.
This is where BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT) comes in.
BWRT® works directly with the brain’s automatic responses – the subconscious reactions that drive anxiety, avoidance, or compulsive behaviours. Instead of spending weeks or months analysing why something happens, we focus only on what the client experiences now, and how they would rather feel instead.
For example, if a client feels panic at the thought of eating out, we’ll work to replace that panic with a preferred response such as a sense of calm or neutrality. The technique uses a structured, neuroscience-informed process to “freeze” the fear response and rewire it before it takes hold. And because it’s content-free, the client doesn’t need to talk through painful memories if they don’t want to.
Clients often report feeling better after just one or two sessions, not because we’ve masked the issue, but because we’ve helped their brain adopt a completely different response.
Small steps, big shifts
Sometimes, small steps are enough to ease the pressure. Creating routines in our lives can lead to numerous positive changes.
Here are a few practical tips I share with clients during the summer months:
- Plan your meals in advance. This helps reduce decision fatigue and limits impulsive food choices.
- Bring safe snacks when travelling. This can help minimise reliance on unfamiliar or fear-inducing foods.
- Incorporate daily movement. Choose physical activity that feels nourishing rather than punishing.
- Recognise what triggers discomfort. Whether it’s crowded spaces, specific foods, or social settings, awareness is powerful.
- Practise mindful eating. Chew slowly, observe how you feel after meals, and respond with self-compassion.
And perhaps most importantly: you are not alone, and help is available.
Final thoughts
If you feel that food is causing anxiety and leading to avoidance of social events, constant thinking and obsessing about food, or persistent worrying about your weight, it may be time to seek professional help. BWRT is a highly effective method that produces lasting results in a short period of time. Change is possible and often, it’s closer than you think.
Kirsten Penderis is a BWRT-registered practitioner, counsellor and well-being coach.