Exposure and Response (or Ritual) Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response (or Ritual) Prevention is an empirically supported form of CBT that hierarchically targets ritual behavior or situations of distress or avoidance, while abstaining from safety-seeking and ritualistic behaviors..
ERP is the gold standard in the treatment of OCD, and is also highly valuable in application for several other diagnoses including Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, and Eating Disorders. ERP is a uniquely creative approach and notably collaborative between you and your therapist.
What Does E-R-P Represent?
Exposures (“E”) are experiments that we collaboratively create based on your predicted level of distress and/or avoidance in approaching specific situations, thoughts, foods, urges, or images. Response/Ritual Prevention (“RP”) is practicing an alternative response to the exposure that does not include any rituals, compulsions, or safety-seeking behaviors. Even if the alternative response is simply noticing and accepting your feeling of discomfort, ERP is a highly active intervention and best results are achieved through consistent practice (exposures) between sessions.
ERP aims to ultimately increase your tolerance for distress, discomfort, and anxiety, while also offering the increased ability to respond differently in ways that disrupt the redundant anxiety cycle. ERP is hard work, and with that offers great reward and feelings of accomplishment after completing exposures.
To learn more about OCD and ERP, please visit https://iocdf.org/
Does ERP have efficacy even when there is a co-occurring Substance Use Disorder?
ERP for co-occurring OCD and Substance Use Disorders can have compromised outcomes, just as many other avoidance and safety-seeking behaviors that occur outside of a substance use disorder can compromise ERP outcomes. ERP can still be applied for an individual with these co-occurring conditions, by incorporating elements of harm reduction and sober committed action plans, most specifically as related to the time a person is engaging in exposure experiences.
Learn More About Exposure and Response (or Ritual) Prevention (ERP) with Sara Watts
If it would help, I would be pleased to offer a 15 minute complimentary call to introduce myself and my approach to Exposure and Response (or Ritual) Prevention (ERP).
Please feel free to contact me today.