Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy

 

What is ERP?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a highly effective, evidence-based form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) specifically designed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related conditions. ERP helps individuals confront feared thoughts, images, or situations while resisting the urge to engage in compulsive behaviours.

 

Core Principles of ERP:

• Avoidance and compulsions temporarily reduce anxiety but reinforce OCD over time.

• Repeated, structured exposure to fears—without responding with compulsions—helps retrain the brain and reduce distress.

• Learning that anxiety can decrease naturally supports long-term recovery.

 

What ERP Can Help With:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Health anxiety

• Social anxiety

• Phobias

• Body-focused repetitive behaviours (e.g., skin picking, hair pulling)

 

How ERP Works:
ERP is a collaborative and structured approach. Together, we:

• Identify obsessions, triggers, and compulsive behaviours

• Create a gradual exposure hierarchy, from least to most distressing situations

• Practice exposure to these situations in a safe, supported environment

• Learn to tolerate anxiety without performing rituals or avoidance behaviours

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