Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an evidence based type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

ERP is most often used to treat OCD, but it can be used within treatment for other anxiety disorders such as Emetophobia and BDD.

ERP encourages a person to confront obsessions and resist the urge to carry out compulsions.

During ERP, a therapist will support a person to deliberately put themselves in a situation that would usually make you feel anxious.

By gradually being exposed to their feared situations ( in. a graded way) they experience a gradual reduction of the anxiety that feeds obsessions and compulsions.

This happens through a process called habituation, where a person becomes less physiologically aroused by triggering stimuli or obsessions after being repeatedly and safely exposed to them.

People also learn over time that the stimuli, thoughts, and feelings that prompt compulsions are more bearable (they are more able to cope) than they predicted and do not actually lead to feared outcomes.

While it might seem counterintuitive to intentionally expose a person to situations that cause anxiety, exposure therapy is widely recognised and supported with good evidence as one of the most effective treatments for anxiety.