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Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy for kids and teens

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 as soon as tomorrow.

Check availability

Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Therapy as soon as tomorrow

Check availability

Covered by insurance · Licensed clinicians · Therapy as soon as tomorrow

4.9

10k+ satisfied kids,
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.

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, research-backed way that reduces anxiety.

How it works: when kids face a feared place again and again and nothing bad happens, the brain learns it's safe. The anxiety reduces over time.

Exposure therapy is part of many proven ways to help, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma therapy. It's a key part of anxiety care.

Exposure therapy for OCD

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 managing distress
- 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
Imaginal & 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.

A young boy with a blue backpack stands outdoors in an urban setting, looking upwards with a thoughtful expression. An adult and a toddler in a stroller are blurred in the background, suggesting a family waiting.

Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias (animals, heights, medical procedures)
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Some trauma-related fear and anxiety
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.

Therapists trained in proven exposure steps
Step-by-step fear lists with clear progress
Exposure ways fit for kids
Parent help to back exposure work at home
Using CBT with exposure for full care

General providers

Staying away from exposure work due to no training
No plan for anxiety, no clear steps
Adult ways used on kids with no changes
Parents not ready to back work between sessions
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 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.

With insurance, a therapy session at Emora averages $20, and about 3 in 10 sessions cost nothing.

Averages cover January to September 2026 and count visits after a family's deductible was met. Families still in their deductible pay more, and you'll see your own cost before you book.

Your child can start as soon as tomorrow, with after-school and evening times available.

Real stories of growth

Every session is rated by parents. Our therapists maintain a 4.9+ average, because results matter.

First session was a success! My daughter really responded favorably! I look forward to scheduling more sessions for her.

Parent of a 14 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Corneshia Hicks, LPC-A

i'm very impressed with my therapist. She was very kind & understanding. She listened , responded to me and gave advice, like homework .. She made me feel seen and heard, and that's the first time in many, many years. I think she can really help me help myself start living life. I'm very grateful you have such a great therapist. Truly.

An Adult client · Nov 13, 2026

Neshika Coney-Devine, APC

Lily listened, asked thoughtful questions, and engaged with my daughter in a kind and calm manner.

Parent of a 9 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Lily Monroe, LPC-A

We both have a very good feeling about Ms. Deme, and we look forward to what's next for her work with my daughter. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Thanks to her, my daughter can get the accommodations she has needed for years.

Parent of a 14 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Demetreonta Estes, LPC

I like that Ty listened to my concern and applied it to the session. She’s very understanding and caring.

Parent of an 11 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Ty Lewis, LMHC

She was very helpful and gave many great suggestions

Parent of a 17 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Stephanie Rodriguez, LPC-A

Mi daughter love her therapy con AnnMarie Rodriguez.

Parent of a 13 year old · Nov 13, 2026

AnnMarie Rodriguez, LMHC

Stephanie is realistic and down to earth. She helps us as a family think of different strategies.

Parent of a 7 year old · Nov 13, 2026

Stephanie Hollister, LMHC

Today was my last session and I’m very thankful to have miss Melisa she meet when I was rock bottom and now today i can confidently say that I have been able to get up and succeed more than I ever thought I could she helped figure out how to express things and just listened when it meant the most she is a great therapist and an even better person i would recommend her to even teenager that struggles with family problems or really any problems

Parent of a 17 year old · Nov 12, 2026