What Is Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)?
One key element of our programs is Exposure Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy considered the front-line treatment for OCD and Anxiety, with or without medications. ERP targets the cycle of intrusive or obsessive thoughts and fears, associated distress and anxiety, and threat-reducing behaviors such as compulsive checking for signs of illness or disease, repeated trips to doctors and specialists, reassurance seeking from loved ones or friends, hours of research on the Internet, and etc.
Why We Use ERP For OCD & Anxiety Disorders
ERP treatment is key in treating OCD and Anxiety because it gets to the root of core fears. During treatment, our therapists work with clients to determine where to start on the fear hierarchy, and engage in exposure routines to help clients confront these scenarios. While in our IOP, clients will work directly with an exposure skills trainer who will assist them with these scenarios. With practice, fears will diminish through a process known as habituation, leading to more time and energy to enjoy life and accomplish one’s goals. This process will help clients tolerate uncertainty, and gain a sense of control over their intrusive thoughts, worries and fears.
ERP is also effective for clients dealing with the obsessive-compulsive symptom of perfectionism. To use response prevention, as guided by a therapist, a person would deliberately stop him or herself from performing rituals or other activities that he or she would normally do to work toward perfection. If you think this sounds unpleasant, you’re right – when perfectionists first stop their perfectionistic behavior, they typically feel an increase in anxiety, at first. The key to making this work is recognizing that over time, the anxiety decreases, despite the fact that something has been done imperfectly. As the client gains more and more experience with letting things remain imperfect and learns that there are no serious consequences, future encounters with imperfection become easier and easier.
Through gradual exposure to the feared thoughts, situations, and uncertainties, without engaging in the threat-reducing behavior, the threat-reaction (and associated distress and anxiety) is significantly diminished, perfectionism is lowered, all allowing our clients to emerge from the shackles of his/her OCD or Anxiety and regain and live the life they value.
