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.
Exposure therapy, at a glance
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.
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.
We love Amanda! It's been over a month- seeing positive results
Parent of an 11 year old
1 hour ago
Amanda Crabtree, LMHC
Evelyn said she was really happy with the session.
Parent of a 9 year old
5 hours ago
Dr. Maritza Rodriguez, LPC-S, CCST
I like the fact that she suggested that we should do ADHD testing and I like that she was asking him questions that were making him think a little about his answers. It was very helpful and it sparked discussion for us afterwards
Parent of a 12 year old
7 hours ago
Shannon Anes, PMHNP
I love Quenton Kayd! I’ve had 18 sessions with him and he has helped me so much! He also takes the time to see things from my perspective and it means so much!
An Adult client
10 hours ago
Quenton Kayd, LPC
Ann is an excellent therapist. She’s been helping my daughter through her anxiety and her thoughtful and insightful guidance has had a meaningful impact on my daughter and managing her anxiety.
Parent of an 11 year old
22 hours ago
Ann Marie Driver, LCMHC-A
She’s very charismatic and easy to talk to. My daughter told me she likes her
Parent of a 13 year old
1 day ago
Katherine Vasquez Lugo, RMHCI
Catherine was warm and welcoming!
Parent of a 10 year old
1 day ago
Catherine Campos, LCSW
My therapist was absolutely amazing I already can tell she is going to help me a lot!
An Adult client
1 day ago
Laura Doocy, LPC-A
Milton is very understanding and listened to my son rattle on and on lol and they're was no rush.
Parent of an 11 year old
1 day ago
Milton Hernandez, LPC
JoeAnn Allen gave us key ways to handle some problems, we appreciate her very much
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
JoeAnn Allen, RMHCI
Rating on behalf of my daughter. She's always in a better mood when she talks with Korina! ✨
Parent of a 14 year old
1 day ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
My son connects so well with Nathalie. He was skeptical at first now he sets up 10 mind before the session in anticipation for their talk time.
Parent of a 10 year old
2 days ago
Nathalie Fernandez Mendez, LCMHC-A, LMHC
Richard was excellent during my child´s session today. He was very informative, attentive, and truly focused on our specific needs. You can tell he genuinely cares and takes the time to listen and understand. We’re looking forward to future appointments and seeing growth with his support.
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Richard Reyes, LPC-Associate
The coping mechanism you gave me felt extremely helpful
An Adult client
2 days ago
Marise Jimenez, RMHCI
Very attentive and caring. Took the time out to help us find the right therapist.
Parent of a 16 year old
2 days ago
Jennifer Guzman, LPC
great person easy to talk to. very attentive.
An Adult client
2 days ago
Dr. Joel Bell, PsyD
Sarah is incredible with my 7 year old. So great at building rapport and bringing in coping strategies.
Parent of a 7 year old
2 days ago
Sarah Newton, LMSW
Helped my child open up and feel more self confidence
Parent of a 6 year old
2 days ago
Korina Herrera, LMHC
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.
