Developing a new treatment for social anxiety in young people
Official title: Very Brief Exposure: Exploratory Development of a Novel Exposure Modality for Social Anxiety Disorder in Transition-Age Youth
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-10791667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle treatment for teens with Social Anxiety Disorder that helps them face their fears in a safe way, using hidden images to gradually reduce their anxiety, and it's designed especially for those who haven't found relief with other therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $272,446 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135353-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10791667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 18 who are experiencing significant social anxiety symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have social anxiety disorder or those who are outside the age range of 12 to 18 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a novel treatment called Very Brief Exposure (VBE) for adolescents suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The approach involves presenting masked images that represent fears, such as judgmental faces, in a way that minimizes distress and encourages gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations. The goal is to make this treatment accessible and effective, especially for those who do not respond to traditional therapies. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the study will also explore the brain circuits involved in anxiety responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for adolescents with social anxiety, potentially improving their quality of life and social functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar exposure techniques have been effective for treating specific phobias, indicating potential for success with this new approach for social anxiety.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Bradley S — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Bradley S
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.