According to the International OCD Foundation it can take an estimated 14-17 years from the onset of symptoms for a person to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for OCD. The stigma behind the disorder often causes people to hide their symptoms, lack of understanding or knowledge of the disorder and therapists not properly trained or educated in the area results in people not getting proper help. Improper treatment can cost a person years in talk therapy without results. In fact, talking and analyzing thoughts for someone with OCD can make symptoms worse.
Exposure Response Prevention therapy (ERP) is the gold standard in OCD treatment. ERP is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that was developed to treat individuals with OCD. ERP is the most effective treatment for OCD. ERP therapy teaches you how to manage your OCD thoughts, images, and urges so they eventually lose much of their power. You retrain your brain to move through fear to decrease the fear response, adopt healthier responses, and become able to manage the anxiety. ERP gradually exposes people to their obsessions and compulsions in a safe environment. When done correctly, ERP will increase your anxiety, uncertainty, and obsessional thoughts. Repeating exposures over time without acting on compulsions aims to neutralize or stop the fear all together.
A Little Counseling is excited to announce the start of our Exposure Response Prevention Program this summer! Getting trained in ERP has been one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done in this field. The therapist and client can creatively work together to come up with challenges that are effective and rewarding. We aim to provide education, compassion, imagination, challenges, and humor to our program. Fake blood, bugs, vomit, needles, cars, trips to the store, the sky’s the limit!
Please contact us to learn more about our Exposure Response Prevention Program.
