Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people face feared thoughts, situations, or sensations while gradually reducing the rituals, avoidance, or reassurance-seeking that keep anxiety going. ERP is considered the leading treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is also used to treat anxiety-related conditions such as phobias, panic disorder, health anxiety, and some forms of social anxiety. Through gradual, supported practice, clients learn that anxiety can decrease on its own and that they can respond to fear with greater confidence and flexibility.
What to expect when being treated with EPR by one of our skilled clinicians:
Assessment & Understanding
The therapist will help you understand OCD, including the specific obsessions and compulsions that are part of your family's experience. This involves identifying situations, thoughts, or triggers that lead to anxiety and compulsive behaviors. During this process, a therapist may ask a young patient to rank their anxiety caused to various objects or experiences.
Psychoeducation
The therapist will explain to your child the OCD cycle—how obsessions lead to compulsions that temporarily reduce anxiety, but in the long run, reinforce the OCD pattern. The therapist will help them understand that it’s okay to experience discomfort without acting on the compulsions.
Gradual Exposure and Response Prevention
The therapist will guide your child through feared situations, starting with the least anxiety-provoking. Gradually, they will confront more challenging situations. A key part of ERP is preventing compulsive behaviors in response to anxiety, allowing your child to tolerate the distress and gradually break the cycle of reinforcing OCD.
Repetition & Lasting Change
Repetition and gradual improvement involve consistently practicing exposure exercises to reduce anxiety over time, with the therapist reviewing progress and adjusting the exposure levels as needed. Clients continue practicing independently, using coping strategies to resist compulsions, and preparing for relapse prevention. Long-term strategies, such as mindfulness and coping skills, help young people strengthen their confidence and manage anxiety effectively outside of therapy.
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