What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy?

ERP is a type of behavioral therapy that helps people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) learn to cope with their obsessions and compulsions. Developed by British psychologist Victor Meyer in the 1960’s, ERP is considered the primary evidence-based treatment for OCD. During ERP, clients are gradually exposed to situations that trigger their obsessions in a safe environment, while they learn skills to practice preventing their compulsions. As a goal, ERP provides a client with coping skills for when a triggering situation presents itself. ERP can be highly successful for anxiety, depression, rumination and difficult cycles of behavior.

How Does ERP Work?

ERP therapy starts with goals of identifying triggers and obsessions, preventing compulsions, developing coping skills and gradually exposing people to situations designed to provoke OCD. Clients start with situations that cause anxiety they can tolerate, and then move on to more difficult exposures. A hallmark of ERP is that is doesn’t completely remove distressing situations and thoughts, as distress cannot be eliminated from someone’s life altogether - but ERP teaches people to cope without giving in to compulsive behaviors. ERP may be done as an adjunct to DBT or RO-DBT, or as a treatment on its own.