Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a structured intervention developed to treat Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is characterized by unwanted inner experiences and, typically, desperate attempts to rid oneself of those thoughts, feelings and body sensations. Through collaborative assessment, psychoeducation, and exposure practices, ERP aims to increase tolerance for those experiences and their accompanying emotions, leading to an improved quality of life.
ERP is a collaborative effort toward your independence.
exposure & Response prevention
As we complete assessments, we’ll learn about your experience with OCD, both past and present, narrowing the focus. Next, psychoeducation offers information about OCD and ERP so that you can learn to be your own ERP therapist. From here, we’ll be able to build a real-time, specific goal plan with information you gather from your daily life. And finally, we will strategically confront the situations that cause emotional distress in order to increase tolerance for unpleasant emotions, uncertainty and obsessions. We do this together first, in session, so that adequate support and guidance is available.
If you want to learn more about OCD, the IOCDF.org is a great resource!
