What are your views on exposure therapy for specific phobias?

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You guys must be aware of phobias. Right? Even if you don't, here is the easiest possible definition i.e. "a (an irrational) fear of something". There is a treatment called exposure therapy for some specific phobias. Like if someone is afraid of spiders called 'Arachnophobia', on the name of exposure therapy we would let loose spiders on the person. Or if someone has 'Acrophobia' (fear of height) we'll get him to stand on a height to overcome his fear. The theory behind it is if a person is exposed to fear then it will help in overcoming it. It's simple but yet complicated. And I believe it's not that much ethical tbh. There are certain complications. What if it further scares a person? You know the term mentally scarred? It can do that too, to a person. Just imagine you have a fear of dark and someone locks you in a dark basement. Not a ray of sunlight or even a lamp. Won't you be in severe mental anguish? But yes this mental anguish will force you to collect your wits and find a solution to get out of the situation and yes that's the main theory behind it. But still I don't find it that much applicable. (Just speaking as a normal human here and not as a medical student) So friends, what are your views on the topic? Do you have any phobia? Have you gone under some therapy for it? And lastly, do you think exposure therapy for phobias is useful and not actually unethical or something?