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.

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teens, & families

A young child, wearing a plaid shirt and a blue backpack, smiles broadly at the camera. Other children are visible, blurred, in the background outdoors, suggesting a school or play environment.

Little girl doing a craft at her kitchen table

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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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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

young girl on the couch smiling during a therapy session on the computer

What exposure therapy treats

Conditions with the strongest evidence base.

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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.

Find Care

daughter smiling during therapy session in the living room and her mom is on the couch

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.

Ms. Anes understood exactly where we were coming from and how to help us when it came to our daughter. Totally recommend her!!

Parent of a 9 year old

6 hours ago

Provider:

Shannon Anes, PMHNP

Amazing! My daughter gets so happy when it is a therapy day. Ms. Christi has made my daughter so comfortable and provides a safe place for her to be open and honest, free of judgement. I am so grateful that she is my child's therapist.

Parent of a 9 year old

8 hours ago

Provider:

Christi Ford, LPC-A

TaKayah is awesome! Feels like talking to a friend.

An Adult client

10 hours ago

Provider:

Takahya Mcintyre, LCSW

Laquana is the best of the best!

Parent of a 7 year old

11 hours ago

Provider:

Laquana Richmond, LCMHC LPC LMHC LCAS CCS

Mrs. Katie is such a blessing. Thank you.

Parent of an 8 year old

13 hours ago

Provider:

Katie Jones, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC

I think just hearing the confirmation was a bit challenging as well as emotional. I love the Drs kindness and patience, it’s something I don’t get to experience often. I like the descriptions provided in the paperwork as well.

An Adult client

19 hours ago