This study is testing a digital tool called BraveBot for young people who are receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, OCD, or related problems. BraveBot is a computer program, not a person. It talks with youth through their phone or computer while they do "face-your-fears"-style exposure therapy homework that their therapist has assigned. Sometimes an exposure is done with BraveBot's real-time coaching, and sometimes on their own; after each exposure, youth answer a few short questions about how it went. Rather than dividing participants into separate groups, the study randomizes each individual exposure homework assignment. Every time a young person opens an eligible exposure, the system makes a 1:1 random assignment deciding whether that exposure is completed with BraveBot's support or independently (self-guided). The main goal is to learn whether using BraveBot helps youth understand their exposure assignments better, put in more effort, stick with exposures when they are hard, feel more capable, and find exposures more helpful in "fighting back" against anxiety. The study also examines whether BraveBot increases the likelihood that assigned exposures are completed, and explores effects on anxiety symptoms and how safe, easy to use, and useful BraveBot feels for youth, their therapists, and parents. BraveBot does not replace the therapist, diagnose, or design exposures; it only supports the homework the clinician has assigned, and is used under clinician oversight. A built-in safety system can detect possible risk-related language, pause the session, show crisis resources (such as 988), and notify the treating clinician. The study is conducted within routine outpatient psychology clinics at Mass General Brigham. Up to 40 youth ages 12-22 will take part.
Age range
12 Years – 22 Years
Sex
ALL
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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Exposure Quality -- Effort (0-100)
Timeframe: Immediately after each completed, randomized exposure instance during the active BraveBot period (up to 45 homework-reminder days, or the 12-week backstop).
Exposure Quality -- Perceived Capability (0-100)
Timeframe: Immediately after each completed, randomized exposure instance during the active BraveBot period (up to 45 homework-reminder days, or the 12-week backstop).
Exposure Quality -- Understanding (0-100)
Timeframe: Immediately after each completed, randomized exposure instance during the active BraveBot period (up to 45 homework-reminder days, or the 12-week backstop).
Exposure Quality -- Ability to Continue When Distressed (0-100)
Timeframe: Immediately after each completed, randomized exposure instance during the active BraveBot period (up to 45 homework-reminder days, or the 12-week backstop).
Exposure Quality -- Perceived Helpfulness (0-100)
Timeframe: Immediately after each completed, randomized exposure instance during the active BraveBot period (up to 45 homework-reminder days, or the 12-week backstop).