Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) a type of CBT is considered the gold standard treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The exposure in ERP refers to exposing yourself to the fear-including the thoughts, images, objects and situations that make you anxious or distressed. The response prevention part of ERP, refers to making a choice not to do a compulsive behavior.  We start off doing this together while you learn to implement the skills you are gaining to do exposures on your own. After doing this for some time you will actually feel a drop in your anxiety. This natural drop in anxiety that happens when you stay exposed to your fear and prevent the compulsive response is called habituation.