Exposures for anxiety: A survey of practicing school psychologists

Abstract

Despite robust evidence supporting exposure-based interventions for anxiety disorders in youth, these treatments are often underutilized, implemented with low fidelity, and delivered in an unnecessarily cautious manner. Few studies have examined important implementation variables (e.g., knowledge, training, perceptions) related to using exposures in schools. A national sample of school psychologists (N = 318) working in K-12 public schools reported on their knowledge, training, perceptions, confidence, and use regarding exposures. Over 50% of respondents reported they do not use exposures. Only slightly more than half of the respondents received training in exposures through graduate coursework. Eighty percent endorsed negative beliefs about exposures, with nearly 50% expressing concern about acceptability of the intervention by parents. Barriers to delivering exposures within schools endorsed included inadequate time (79% of sample), training (61%), and access to training materials (51%). Implications for training, practice, and research in school psychology are discussed.