What is Exposure and Response Prevention?
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The Exposure in ERP refers to exposing yourself to the thoughts, images, objects and/or situations that make you anxious and/or start your obsessions. While the Response Prevention part of ERP, refers to making a choice not to do a compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsessions have been triggered. After completing an OCD assessment exploring which obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily living, an exposure hierarchy is completed working with lower distress leveled obsessions/compulsions working our way up the hierarchy.
What are the benefits of ERP?
Focuses directly on obsessions and compulsions with reduction in anxiety over time.
Increases tolerance for discomfort.
Disrupts OCD patterns.
Tools to cope with OCD.
Integrates well with other types of therapies such as Brainspotting and ACT.
Who can benefit from ERP?
Individuals experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Individuals with Phobias
Individuals with Panic Disorders
Resources
Exposure and Response Prevention works by breaking the link between your obsessional thoughts, images, urges or impulses and the compulsive things that you do to reduce the distress or anxiety that they cause. During ERP exercises you gradually expose yourself to situations that bring on or cue your obsessions, while not carrying out your compulsions.