Online 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.
Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Start within 48 hours
Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Start within 48 hours
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.
Very caring and helpful and patient
Parent of a 16 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Catherine Campos, LCSW
Due to this therapy session, I was able to better pinpoint and identify my emotions, as well as brainstorm coping mechanisms for the future and develop a healthier mentality. I felt listened to, and received excellent advice.
An Adult client
Aug 8, 2026
Deann Fossati, LPC-Associate
She is very thorough with concerns such as new medicines, and very personable with teens and their parents
Parent of a 15 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Runako Richardson, PMHNP
My daughter talked about how to socialize. She was more relaxed after the session.
Parent of a 12 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Lisandra Rodriguez, LMHC
Robert Lemus is a perfect fit for our son. Highly recommend. Thank you!
Parent of a 17 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Robert Lemus, LCSW
How he is very understanding and is able to connect.
Parent of a 13 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Antonio Richey, LCSW
My son has been talking with Milton since March and he is now a completely different kid. Milton has helped him learn to be confident in himself and how to deal with his anger and frustration. He definitely knows how to speak and deal with kids. He has great communication with me as well. We are very lucky to have found Milton.
Parent of a 13 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Milton Hernandez, LPC
NP Richardson was really sweet, thorough , and I highly recommend her.
Parent of a 15 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Runako Richardson, PMHNP
Dr. Toni is absolutely fantastic. She is thorough, careful, and compassionate. I truly appreciate everything she did for us.
Parent of a 7 year old
Aug 8, 2026
Dr. Toni Hickman, PsyD
I’ve been having a very high pain day and Maria helped me a lot
An Adult client
Aug 7, 2026
Maria Martinez, RMHCI
Emma was wonderful to talk to.
An Adult client
Aug 7, 2026
Emma Palmer, LCSW
Very good session. Scheduled follow-up for next week.
Parent of a 17 year old
Aug 7, 2026
Sofia Miranda-Pasqualini, PMHNP
Great first session. I think she’ll be a good fit for me!
An Adult client
Aug 7, 2026
Morgan Williams, LPC
She was helpful and attentive to what I was saying
An Adult client
Aug 7, 2026
Dr. Ellen Honsa, PsyD, LP
When asked my daughter said, Thumbs up emoji!" LOL
Parent of a 12 year old
Aug 7, 2026
Mitsouko Chatelain, LCSW
Ms Yuri is such a talented and knowledgeable counselor. She knows how to reach my son and make him feel great about his aspiration’s. He walked out of his session today so happy and excited to try out for something new in school. His smile and enthusiasm are back thanks Ms Yuri.
Parent of a 15 year old
Aug 7, 2026
Yuri Rios, LPC
It was fantastic! did a well for both kids.
Parent of a 13 year old
Aug 7, 2026
Dr. Apree Clicque, PsyD
understanding and blunt while still making me feel safe to vent. digs really dip and what she says heals
An Adult client
Aug 7, 2026
Aminah Todman, LCSW
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.
