What Is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?

Have you been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder? Do you experience overwhelming anxiety that prevents you from enjoying your life to the fullest? Finally, do you find yourself relying heavily on rituals that make everyday life a challenge? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could likely benefit from Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy. But what is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy? Read on to find out more about how this kind of therapy could help you.

What Is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?

Who Benefits from Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, or ERP, was designed to treat individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Otherwise known as OCD, symptoms of this condition include the following:

• Obsessive fears (for example, the fear of being contaminated by germs)
• Intrusive thoughts (for example, thoughts of harming oneself or others)
• Trouble tolerating uncertainty
• Physical tics, otherwise known as motor tics (for example, blinking one’s eyes repeatedly)

ERP is effective, but it is typically a highly specialized treatment. With that in mind, if you struggle with other mental health symptoms – depression or generalized anxiety, for example – you may be a better candidate for cognitive behavioral therapy. Otherwise known as CBT, this type of therapy takes a more general approach that can benefit individuals with a wide variety of mental health conditions.

How Does ERP Therapy Work?

ERP is, in essence, a type of exposure therapy. The hallmark of ERP involves slow, controlled exposure to a stressor – for example, a doorknob that an OCD sufferer may see as “dirty” or “contaminated.” During ERP, the individual with OCD is slowly exposed to the stressor. Over time, they will learn to prevent their standard, OCD-driven “response” to the stressor. In the doorknob example, an individual may be asked to touch a doorknob, then touch their face. Eventually, the individual learns that touching the doorknob will not lead to the consequences that fueled their fear and obsession. This will help them reduce their “response” – for example, completing a compulsive hand-washing ritual. While this may have been the individual’s response before ERP treatment, they will eventually grow more comfortable with the stressor after repeat exposure.

What to Expect During ERP Therapy

At the beginning of your ERP regimen, your mental healthcare provider will start by gathering information about your stressors. Your provider will also discuss the limitations that your stressors have created in your life – for example, whether your fears prevent you from going out with friends. At that point, your provider will work with you to develop a plan for gradual and safe exposure to your stressors. Over time, you will learn that even your most anxiety-inducing fears can be conquered. While ERP can’t remove distress from your life altogether, it can provide you with coping skills. That way, when you face a triggering situation, you’ll be ready.

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Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, or ERP, is one of the services we provide at Reed Behavioral Health. This type of therapy can help you take back your life and learn to face your triggers calmly and confidently.

Are you interested in pursuing Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy? Reed Behavioral Health offers highly individualized solutions for individuals and families who have been impacted by behavioral health problems. Our approach is different. It starts with a comprehensive and individualized assessment process so we can determine how to best help you. This includes a firm understanding of your value system and what you want out of life. Ultimately, we offer individualized care using an integrative model, working with our clients to resolve the lingering issues beyond their disorders so they can have a full life. For more information, please call us at 763-577-2489, email us at info@reedhealthcare.org, or send us a message online. We look forward to working with you!