The efficacy of exposure therapy in anxiety disorders is firmly established. Yet, a substantial proportion of patients does not or insufficiently respond, highlighting the need to optimize the treatment. Promising strategies can be derived from models of inhibitory learning. Further evidence stems from the observation that the high effect sizes reported in exposure-based clinical trials are mostly achieved using temporally intensified treatment protocols compared to exposure therapies in routine care. The research consortium PROTECT-AD (Providing Tools and Effective Care for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders) tests in a multicentre randomized clinical trial with more than 600 patients whether a temporally condensed intensified psychological intervention (IPI) results in stronger and faster symptom reduction compared to an identical, but not intensified treatment as usual (TAU). Here we report on how intensified exposure can be implemented as an optimization strategy. Our experience shows that intensified exposure is well accepted by patients and may offer a number of practical and health economic advantages.