Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for OCD

I empower adults with OCD to develop a skills to break free of the draining cycle of obsessions, compulsions and rumination, enabling them to live with purpose and meaning.

What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?

OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by unwanted or intrusive urges, thoughts or images known as obsessions. These obsessions cause anxiety, shame, disgust and other intense unpleasant feelings. To cope with these emotions, people often engage in compulsions, which are mental or physical acts or rituals. While these rituals may provide temporary relief, they soon stop working and the compulsions become more intense, and a strong negative cycle occurs. According to the World Health Organization, OCD is the 10th most debilitating condition. It can take up to 17 years for people to get effective treatment, and even among professionals it can be misunderstood and misdiagnosed. It is often mislabeled as a “quirky” personal trait or disease of being “overly clean” but the presentations of OCD are quite varied and look very different from person to person.

Is ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) Therapy Right For You?

ERP is the gold-standard, first-line therapy for OCD according to the treatment literature. Does any of this sound familiar? If you are dealing with any of these issues, ERP therapy can help.

You cannot stop ruminating (rethinking, revisiting, or reimagining past, present or future events) that cause anxiety
You are experiencing taboo thoughts about sex or religion
You cannot get certain images or thought of your mind
If you have a bad thought or image you have to perform a certain act or ritual (mental or physical) to “undo” it
You avoid certain people, places, songs, media, pictures, movies etc. so as not to trigger certain symptoms, thoughts, or rituals
You are constantly worried about making mistakes that will permanently mess up your future
You feel the urge to confess information, then feel embarrassed by it later
You are worried that you made a mistake that has destined you to hell or eternal torment
You are so anxious at times you have difficulty with false memories; when you try to recall how an event occurred, your anxious mind creates so many different versions, you start to question which one actually real
You are constantly worried about contamination
You do not feel present in your social relationships
Your life is interrupted constantly by OCD rituals
You have been to different therapists who you feel may have misdiagnosed your symptoms

ERP Therapy for OCD: How Does it Work?

ERP therapy is the gold standard, first line treatment for OCD. It works by gradually exposing you to what triggers you, and teaches you skills to cope with that distress, breaking you out of the draining and repetitive cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

Exposure targets the obsessions by teaching you how to face your fears.

Response Prevention targets the compulsions by helping you replace compulsions with healthier ways of dealing with distress that overcome you when you become triggered.

I integrate culturally sensitive methods into treatment; traditional ERP methods may overlook or ignore issues that pertain to your cultural background

What are the Benefits of ERP Therapy?

My clients have experienced many benefits from ERP therapy. ERP therapy can help you

Develop targeted skills to cope with obsessions and compulsions you can use immediately and across multiple situations
Be more productive and engaged with work
Reframe the way you think about anxiety and distress
Participate and enjoy activities that you once avoided
Be more present and engaged with friends and family
Feel more empowered to handle whatever other challenges life may throw your way
Feel you are in control of anxiety (not the other way around)
Develop resiliency and courage
Honor your unique cultural and religious background while being treated

Work with an ERP Therapist

About My Approach to ERP Therapy

ERP does not have to be intimidating or challenging. I have worked with several different and challenging subtypes and presentations of OCD. Clients who successfully manage their OCD symptoms learn to view ERP as a set of skills that they learn and practice regularly.

I provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to share without being judged, interrogated or shamed. For many clients, it is the first time they have been able to discuss symptoms that have been a mystery to themselves and those around them. I also provide the accountability they need to stay dedicated to treatment. Consistency is a key to defeating negative cycle of OCD symptoms. In our work together you will experience both the compassion to be heard and the challenge to be changed.

I have experience working with clients from various cultural and religious backgrounds . In our ERP work together, these factors are regarded as important and are treated as such.