Filling the Gaps: Emetophobia Assessment and Treatment in Schools
Lagunas, N., Thompson, A., Schuler, C., Arenare, L., & Schaller, W.
National Association of School Psychologists, 2026
Who We Are
Built from lived experience
We suffered from phobia for decades. So we formed a team of experts and built Bia to make recovery possible for everyone.
This photo was my first time ever on a boat, something I had avoided for over 27 years. I loved it.
William Schaller, Founder
I Believe You Can Recover
Hello, my name is Willy, founder of Bia. I suffered from emetophobia for most of my life and know first hand the misery and loneliness it can cause. During my recovery I built a tool to track my progress and help me practice. Over four years this tool transformed into Bia, now used by people around the world. I'm happy to share I have recovered from phobia and I believe you can too.
Enjoying my first trip to Hawaii, a place I always wanted to go but never thought I'd be able to get to.
Elizabeth Fullerton, Co-Founder
From Bia User to Co-Founder
My name is Elizabeth, and I am Co-Founder of Bia. I came across an early version of Bia while working through my own phobia recovery and became one of its first users. I was already seeing a therapist, but once I added daily guided-exposure practice with Bia the impact on my recovery was immediate. I've since partnered with Willy to leverage my health-care background to build and expand Bia, and it's been incredibly meaningful to see the tool help others just as it helped me.
Our Mission is Your Recovery
Our mission at Bia is to help you overcome phobia by providing a safe place to learn and practice researched recovery techniques.
You deserve a life free from phobia.
A Team of Experts
Licensed psychologists, clinical counselors, and research scientists. Decades of treatment experience across all age groups.
Dr. David Russ
Psychologist
Dr. Laura Berssenbrugge
Psychologist
Jaime Roche, LCSW
Therapist
Jacob Reiter
Research Scientist
Kaitlyn Peters, LPCC
Therapist
Nancy Lagunas, AMFT
Therapist
Ira Hays, LCSW
Therapist
Research, talks, and partners
The evidence and the people behind Bia.
Innovations in Digital Care for Emetophobia: Findings from Bia, a Self-Guided Program
Kaur, K., Asnaani, A., Lagunas, N., Franklin, B. E., Yusko, D., & Schaller, W.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2026
University of Utah
Research Partner, Manuscript under Review
Overcoming emetophobia with a journey through Bia: Examining the effectiveness and uptake of an online self-guided, evidence-based treatment program
Lagunas, N., Schaller, W., Kaur, K., Franklin, B. E., Yusko, D., & Asnaani, A.
World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies Congress, 2026
Center for Anxiety and Behavior Therapy
Clinical Partnership, The Emetophobia Institute
Interested in partnering on research?
We collaborate with clinicians and researchers advancing exposure therapy. Bia's powerful client app and clinician portal provides significant data and opportunities to improve exposure. Please reach out anytime.
willy@biajourney.comReady to start?
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