Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a cognitive behavioral therapy specifically designed and researched to treat OCD. The Exposure in ERP involves direct exposure to the thoughts, images, objects and situations that trigger the anxiety and/or activate the obsessions. The Response Prevention part of ERP, involves making a conscious choice not to engage the compulsion once the anxiety or obsession(s) is triggered. With constant exposure to the provoking stimulus followed by preventing the compulsive behavior the response leads to habituation correlating with decreased anxiety.

Structure & Length:

The adherent treatment structure involves weekly therapy or biweekly sessions and is delivered by intensively trained clinicians. The following outlines the program components in more detail:

• Approximately 18-24 sessions that may include in the office and in the community exposures exercises.

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