Exposure is the most important component of therapy for anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children and adolescents. Unfortunately, few clinicians offer this treatment, making it very difficult for youth and their families to seek effective care. Exposure Therapy for Child and Adolescent Anxiety and OCD delivers a succinct yet comprehensive guide to the use of exposure therapy with youth suffering from anxiety and OCD.Within the heart of this book, clinicians will discover a clear, step-by-step model, illustrated with sample dialogue, for engaging their young patients in this most effective treatment. Detailed case examples bring to life the application of all forms of exposure (in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive) to a wide range of anxiety and OCD presentations. Beyond teaching the mechanics for implementing exposure, the authors present a clinical model for understanding how exposure works, synthesizing the key issues from current competing theories. This model can enhance the ability of clinicians to apply exposure to new and more challenging presentations. The authors review common challenges to implementing exposure in real-world settings and assist clinicians in overcoming frequently encountered barriers. Within this compact book, clinicians will find a comprehensive guide to build their expertise in the delivery of exposure therapy for children and adolescents suffering from anxiety disorders or OCD.

Section I: Overview and Background1. Introduction and History2. Theoretical Base and Mechanism of ActionSection II: Empirical Support3. Review of Evidence: Adult Literature4. Review of Evidence: Child LiteratureSection III: Clinical Application5. Preparing for Exposure6. Implementing ExposureSection IV: Case Illustrations7. In vivo Exposure Case Examples8. Imaginal and Interoceptive Exposure Case ExamplesSection V: Trouble Shooting9. Obstacles to Implementation10. Additional Resources