Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in treating OCD

Written by Allison Crowley, LPC-A

WHAT’S NEXT?

So, maybe you are past the stage of discovering you have OCD, and now you are wondering,

“what’s next?” Maybe you are hesitant to seek counseling because you feel like no one could

possibly understand the thought patterns that feel convincing—but hard to explain to anyone

else. Maybe you are afraid of a counselor saying “well, just stop checking the locks so much” or “you would obviously know if you caused harm to someone.”

Or on the other hand, maybe you are already in counseling, getting what feels like the

affirmation you need, only to feel more doubt and uncertainty than ever once you step out of the session. If you are dealing with obsessions and compulsions, it may be time to consider exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP).

MORE THAN TALK THERAPY

When you think of counseling, what do you imagine? Sitting in a room with a counselor talking about your feelings? Discussing life updates that have happened since the last session? While those things are helpful, and should be integrated into your sessions, ERP takes it one step further. Simply talking about OCD does not help OCD. In fact, traditional talk therapy alone is often not enough to treat OCD and can sometimes unintentionally reinforce the cycle. With ERP, the goal isn’t to temporarily provide relief through reassurance, it directly targets the core beliefs that are the root of doubt.

Think of it this way. How would you help someone get over their fear of roller coasters? Would you just tell them every week or two that roller coasters are fun and safe? Probably not. You would encourage them to get on the roller coaster! Yes, it’s scary! Yes, it may take baby steps such as watching others ride it first. But, ultimately, facing your fears is the only way to overcome them.

HOW IT WORKS

To understand how ERP can help OCD, it is important to first understand how OCD functions. You might often feel like OCD is an endless cycle. And you would be right that it is a cycle. It begins with an obsessive/intrusive thought. Did I blow out that candle before I left the house? I probably did…actually, I don’t know anymore. What if the house is burning down? Oh my goodness, what if it spreads to my neighbor’s house? I need to rush home right now to stop this from happening. Sound familiar? And as you can see, it is followed by immense anxiety. Then comes the compulsion—going home to check if the candle was blown out. Once that has been checked, there is a wave of relief. Well, temporary relief. It doesn’t take long before that obsessive/intrusive thought comes rushing back. If this is you, you are not alone, and there is something you can do about it!

And keep in mind, not all forms of OCD look exactly like this, and compulsions do not

necessarily need to be a physical act. They can happen in your mind through rumination.

WHAT IF MY ANXIETY GETS WORSE?

Honestly…at first, it might. Actually, I can say with confidence, it will in the beginning. With

ERP, it’s easy to quickly come to the conclusion that it’s not working. It’s easy to want to back

away when things feel uncomfortable. But, on the other side of that discomfort and worry, is

more permanent relief. By strengthening your mind and developing new patterns of thinking,

you can take back your life from OCD.

FINDING A COUNSELOR

If you related to this at all, it is probably time to look into ERP. It can be an intimidating process, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When looking for a counselor, don’t just pick anyone. Choose someone who understands OCD, can provide ERP, and is willing to walk alongside you in this journey!

Reach out to Mended Therapy Group today to begin that process with our OCD specialist Allison Crowley.

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