Exposure therapy for kids, teens, & young adults
Face fears bit by bit to build real confidence
Exposure therapy is the best treatment for anxiety. It helps young people learn they can handle situations they've been avoiding.
Insurance accepted. Appointments often available within days.
teens, & families
Exposure therapy, at a glance
Up to 66% recover
Children and adolescents recover from anxiety disorders with exposure-based treatments (Higa-McMillan et al., 2016).
8-12 sessions
Typical course for a specific anxiety disorder. Complex presentations may need longer treatment.
#1 for anxiety
The most effective treatment component for anxiety disorders across all major clinical guidelines.
What is exposure therapy?
How facing fears leads to freedom.
Exposure therapy is a way to help kids and teens slowly face places, objects, or thoughts they fear. They do this in a safe, backed way until anxiety gets less.
How it works: when kids face a feared place again and again and nothing bad happens, the brain learns it's safe. The anxiety gets weaker over time.
Exposure therapy is part of many proven ways to help (CBT, ERP for OCD, trauma therapy). It's the key part of anxiety care.
Evidence-Based
Backed by clinical research and validated outcomes.
Exposure therapy is a way to help kids and teens slowly face places, objects, or thoughts they fear. They do this in a safe, backed way until anxiety gets less.
How it works: when kids face a feared place again and again and nothing bad happens, the brain learns it's safe. The anxiety gets weaker over time.
Exposure therapy is part of many proven ways to help (CBT, ERP for OCD, trauma therapy). It's the key part of anxiety care.
Types of exposure
Approaches your child's therapist may use.
Step-by-Step Exposure
- Building a fear list from easiest to hardest
- Starting with doable challenges and moving forward
- Therapist-guided practice during sessions
- Practice between sessions for more use
Exposure and Stopping Habits (ERP)
- Best way to help OCD
- Facing OCD triggers without doing compulsions
- Learning to live with not knowing and pain
- Breaking the OCD loop
Body Sense Exposure
- Facing feared body feelings (fast heart, dizzy)
- Very good for panic trouble
- Cuts down fear of body feelings
- Builds trust in the body's safety
Imagine & Online Exposure
- Using imagination to try facing fears
- Online reality exposure for set phobias
- Helps when real-life exposure isn't at first doable
- Getting ready for real-life exposure steps
How exposure therapy helps
What the research shows.
- Best recovery rates for childhood anxiety
- Big improvements often happen in weeks
- Builds real confidence, not just getting by
- Stops avoidance that limits daily life
- Improvements last long after therapy ends
- Works for new situations beyond one fear
What exposure therapy treats
Conditions with the strongest evidence base.
Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias (animals, heights, medical procedures)
- Separation anxiety disorder
OCD & Related
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (ERP)
- Panic disorder with agoraphobia
- Selective mutism
- Health anxiety
Why families choose Emora for exposure therapy
Specialized anxiety treatment vs. general providers.
General providers
Therapists trained in proven exposure steps
Staying away from exposure work due to no training
Step-by-step fear lists with clear progress
No plan for anxiety, no clear steps
Exposure ways fit for kids
Adult ways used on kids with no changes
Parent help to back exposure work at home
Parents not ready to back work between sessions
Using CBT with exposure for full care
Reassurance ways that keep anxiety going
Get started in minutes
Three simple steps to connect with the right clinician.
- 1
Share what's going on
Tell us about your child's fears and how anxiety affects daily life.
- 2
Verify coverage
See insurance estimates and available appointment times.
- 3
Start therapy
Meet your matched therapist and begin building confidence through exposure.
Frequently asked questions
What parents and young adults ask most about exposure therapy.
No. Proven exposure therapy is slow, backed, and joint work. The therapist makes a fear list from easiest to hardest. Your child is never forced. They're guided at every step.
Many kids show change in the first 4 to 6 sessions. A full course usually takes 8 to 12 sessions for one anxiety kind. Your therapist will track progress so you can see it.
Yes. Many exposures work well online, most with the therapist coaching the child and parent through work at home. Home-based online exposure may even help skills work in more spots.
A brief rise in anxiety during first exposures is normal. It means therapy is at work. As the brain learns it's safe, anxiety goes down. Your therapist will watch this and shift as needed.
No. Flooding throws someone into the most feared spot all at once, which is not good for kids. Proven exposure therapy goes step by step, fit to what the child is ready for.
Real stories of growth
Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.
The testing process for my child with Dr. Bunker went really well. Just like how she explained it would go.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been very helpful with the therapy process for my child.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Korina is very patient even when my child is having a difficult time with the therapy session.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
This was our initial visit with Dr. Bunker. She did a great job with explaining how the process would go. She also had great interaction with my child during the visit.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Nacona Bunker, PsyD
Korina has been doing a great job with helping my child!
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
She was really extensive and didn’t leave anything out.
An Adult client
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Apree Clicque, PsyD
The session was great! All of our concerns were addressed, we felt very heard, and it was an overall great experience
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Deann Harrison, PMHNP-BC
Ms Richardson took her time to listen to my son's perspective and concerns as well as my own. She is open-minded and patient. We appreciated her help today
Parent of a 15 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Runako Richardson, PMHNP
When she allowed both of us to speak and explained the next steps for our meeting in the future that was great . Thank you.
Parent of a 7 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My daughter feels Dr. Jon has helped her more than any of her previous therapists. He does a great job with her.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 6, 2026
Dr. Jon Skidmore, PsyD
Dr. Williams truly gets me and he makes me feel like I can take care of myself without having to worry about it.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Franklin Williams, LCMHC
Navigating a separation from my spouse including children. Victoria does a great job helping us work through and process this.
An Adult client
Jun 5, 2026
Victoria Coffman, LPC-A
Elise is going above and beyond to understand my daughter so she can help her in the best way possible.
Parent of an 11 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Elise McDonald, LPC
Catherine was kind, empathetic, and a great listener. She balanced hearing our thoughts as parents while also ensuring our child was heard and valued.
Parent of a 12 year old
Jun 5, 2026
Catherine Campos, LCSW
So kind and a great listener. She has great patience with him.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Erica Richardson, LCSW
My daughter instantly connected! She’s very excited to work with her
Parent of a 13 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Brianna Doran, LMHC
Dr.Bowes is awesome and a personable provider.
An Adult client
Jun 4, 2026
Dr. Jaclyn Bowes, PsyD
My son feels that this Dr is a great fit. First session and he’s already doing the 10 finger breathing exercise while feeling overwhelmed.
Parent of an 11 year old
Jun 4, 2026
Dr. Jon Skidmore, PsyD
Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's moving forward with it.
Exposure therapy teaches your child that they are braver than they think and that anxiety doesn't have to run the show.
Not sure where to start? Book a clinical matching session.
