What is Exposure Response-Prevention?

Exposure Response-Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We work together to explore what fears and responses are causing distress, create a plan to move towards these experiences, and help your brain learn how to respond in a more helpful way. The goals of ERP are to help manage and reduce distress caused by the symptoms of OCD, and to help create more freedom to choose how to live your life outside of the OCD cycle. Below are the 5 phases of the ERP treatment process that we will work through together. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make sense immediately - I will explain the process step-by-step, and make sure we’re on the same page before starting anything! For more detailed information about ERP, please visit the International OCD Foundation’s website: https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/ocd-treatment-guide/erp/

Overview of the Steps of ERP

Cover page of a presentation or document titled 'Assessment' by Gotheridge Counseling, describing an in-depth assessment for OCD or other disorders.
A presentation slide titled "Treatment Planning" with a pink background and dotted pattern, explaining the course of treatment using ERP and providing contact information for Gotheridge Counseling.
A digital poster with a peach background and dotted pattern, titled 'Exposure Hierarchy' in large bold text. Below the title, there is descriptive text explaining the creation of a task hierarchy involving feared activities, thoughts, and situations in a step-wise fashion. The poster is credited to Gotheridge Counseling at the bottom and features a small arrow icon.
Instructions for self-monitoring, explaining how to track mental and behavioral impulses using a tracking sheet, by Gotheridge Counseling.
A peach-colored flyer with the title 'Exposure & Processing' in large black font. Text below explains that each session involves practicing exposure, processing, and discussing how to replicate at home, with a small star graphic and the name 'Gotheridge Counseling' at the bottom.