What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?
If you’ve been googling OCD treatment or sitting in on therapy sessions, you’ve probably heard the phrase Exposure and Response Prevention, or ERP for short. It might sound clinical, maybe even a little intimidating, but ERP is actually one of the most effective, empowering tools for treating OCD.
So let’s break it down.
First, what is ERP?
ERP is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps people face the stuff their brain is terrified of—and stop doing the things that temporarily reduce anxiety (a.k.a. compulsions).
Here’s what that actually means:
Exposure = intentionally coming into contact with the thoughts, situations, or triggers that make you anxious.
Response Prevention = resisting the urge to do the compulsion or ritual that usually helps you feel better for a moment.
The magic happens when you don’t give in to the compulsion. Over time, your brain learns that the scary thought or situation isn’t actually dangerous. The anxiety fades. And you get your life back.
A simple example:
Let’s say someone has OCD centered around contamination. Normally, they might wash their hands 20 times after touching a doorknob. In ERP, they’d touch the doorknob on purpose, and then not wash. Sounds brutal, right? At first, it is. But with support and repetition, that anxiety curve drops. The brain rewires.
ERP doesn’t make the scary thoughts go away, it teaches your brain that you don’t have to obey them.
It’s hard. But it works.
ERP is challenging, no question. But it’s also incredibly effective. It’s evidence-based, it’s targeted, and it’s the therapy gold standard for OCD.
If you or someone you care about is stuck in OCD loops, talk to one of our therapists who specialize in ERP. It’s not about getting rid of discomfort, it’s about building the muscle to live with it and move forward anyway.
Want more on this? Check out The IOCDF’s ERP overview for a deeper dive, or reach out for a consultation with one of our OCD-informed therapists in Ogden, Utah.
