Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a proven, evidence-based treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD creates a cycle: distressing thoughts (obsessions) leads to behaviors (compulsions) meant to relieve anxiety—like hand washing, checking, or seeking reassurance. But the relief is short-lived, and the cycle continues. Thoughts can get more intense, and behaviors can get more repetitive or harder to resist over time. ERP helps break that cycle. It teaches your brain that anxiety can pass without doing compulsions and helps reduce the power OCD has over you.

With your therapist, you will create a personalized list of fears or triggers. Then, you will gradually face these fears through exposure activities—starting with easier ones and building up. For example, if you fear germs, you might touch something your OCD has decided is “contaminated” and delay washing your hands. Or if intrusive thoughts upset you, you might write them down and read them without pushing them away.

When doing exposures, response prevention is an important component. The goal is to delay, reduce, and ultimately eliminate your compulsions. As you work on reducing compulsions, you learn to tolerate anxiety and uncertainty better. This shows your brain that the rituals are not needed to prevent feared outcomes, that anxiety will fade, and that you are safe.

ERP takes time and effort, but it is a gold-standard treatment for OCD. Many folks who have done ERP say it gave them their lives back. You won’t have to face things alone—your therapist will guide you each step of the way.