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.
I already see a positive change in my daughter, she seems lighter and happier after only two sessions!
Parent of a 14 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Elsie Peña, LPC
Very nice my son likes his therapist and said she really helps
Parent of a 12 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Rita Montoya-Gomez, LPC
EP really enjoyed the games! I like the calming box idea and the tips to help her during difficult times.
Parent of an 8 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Tracey-Ann Hutchinson, LMHC
She was very understanding and sweet toward my daughter during their session. She was understanding to our reasons for having to switch providers, and made it work very easily with our future schedule.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Korina Herrera, LMHC
Mrs. Johnson is a wonderful and safe space for my daughter’s healing.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Tameka Johnson, LPC
She provided great information, was transparent throughout the entire process, and took the time to make sure she would be a good fit for my daughter before moving forward. That really gave me confidence that her priority was making sure my daughter received the support she needed. My daughter also felt comfortable with her right away, which made the experience even better.
Parent of an 8 year old
Jul 22, 2026
Katennia Thomas, LPC
Great experience - she listened and provided helpful tools
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Treshana Lewis, LCSW
He is so helpful.I mean, I appreciate everything he does for my family
Parent of a 7 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Bart Liles, LPC. LMFT
Lana was amazing with my daughter. My daughter felt heard, validated, and supported.
Parent of a 10 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Lana Rodriguez, LPC
Very open and transparent, didn't tell me what I waned to hear but what I needed to hear. Very comforting and understanding and does what she can to come to a shared agreement about medication route.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Shannon Anes, PMHNP
Jahn Quattlebaum, our family therapist, has been an absolute gamechanger, by providing us with a safe, compassionate space to communicate and truly hear one another.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Jahn Quattlebaum, LPC
It was a great session. Nico practiced expressing his feelings to his dad when he felt sad and hurt. He was standing up for himself.
Parent of a 6 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Jacqueline Castaneda, LPC
She was wonderful and my daughter responded well and was able to talk openly. Alyssa gave us some techniques that we both are excited to try. My daughter was nervous before she began but now she is looking forward to her next session.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 21, 2026
Alyssa Jimenez-Solis, LCSW
Great listener and helped set realistic goals to help achieve more positive outcomes!
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Paola Oseguera, LPC-Associate
Very personable, makes the session welcoming and comfortable place to be
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Kayla Goodwin, LPC
Teah is very patient and attentive; her demeanor makes it possible to process and communicate in a very comfortable and safe environment.
An Adult client
Jul 21, 2026
Teah Polvado, LCSW
I feel like my therapist is very good at what she does, and is very kind. I go into each meeting expecting a welcoming environment, and I get what I expected and more. (From the 15yo)
Parent of a 15 year old
Jul 20, 2026
MaryBeth Borreca, LCMHC, LMHC
Charlene is always so welcoming and provides helpful strategies to manage ADHD and anxiety. She helps my 9 year old get focused and makes the session bith informative and fun. Her breathing techniques help him relax.
Parent of a 9 year old
Jul 20, 2026
Charlene Childs, LPC-A
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.
