ERP has a strong and consistent record of success when used within a expert clinic (making it one of the most effective mental health treatments around!), and our clinicians trust this treatment practice to help our clients overcome OCD, Every. Single. Day.
Knowing you “shouldn’t” be fearful but unable to stop the constant worry, you’re at odds with yourself all the time, and it’s exhausting. OCD has taken so much from you: you feel caged by what it tells you to do or not do; where to go or not go and you’re so frustrated with its rules! If you’re not worried, you’re waiting with baited breath until the fear comes back.
You want to live a life free from the torment of OCD.
When our clients confront the fear and overcome OCD, they describe as sense of relief, but not in the way a compulsion does. The sense of relief ERP provides is long-lasting, with an understanding that no matter what OCD throws at you, you’ve got the skills to handle it. You reclaim control over your life, and the ability to make decisions and choices free from the OCD voice and fear.
Don’t let the hatred take over your mind and heart.
ERP teaches you how to confront the OCD fear gradually without resorting to compulsions or rituals. Your brain learns that OCD is wrong (and in fact has been lying to you) and the fear dissipates.
With 1-3 sessions, you and your therapist will collaborate together to practice exposures and response prevention, review homework, process learning, and develop skills that will help gain mastery over OCD.
With 17-22 sessions, you and your therapist will collaborate together to practice exposures and response prevention, review homework, process learning, and develop skills that will help treat your OCD
You and your therapist will collaborate to create a list of tools that have helped you gain mastery over OCD, as well as outline signs to look out for indicating that you may need further support. This session is a celebration of gains made in treatment!
Your therapist recognizes conquering OCD is a journey and there can be times when implementing your tools becomes difficult. OCD North offers Booster sessions to previous clients looking for a boost in getting back on top of OCD.
Exposure with Response Prevention is a highly specialized treatment modality specifically used for OCD. It was developed by Edna Foa and her colleagues after research they conducted suggested fear has a component of pathological avoidance and confronting previously avoided objects, situations, or people could promote positive change (Foa & Kodak, 1986).
You can read the study for yourself, here (External link) (https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1986-15090-001)
Guided by your therapist, you’ll first get to know the OCD through an assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the core fear that maintains the OCD. Sometimes this is obvious, but often it’s not. The assessment will inform you and your therapist about the types of exposures you’ll create and do together, based on the core fear. Before exposures start though, you’ll create a hierarchy with your therapist, which serves as a kind of road map for the OCD recovery journey.
Exposure and Response Prevention is needed when the fear is feeling scary enough that it’s preventing you from living the life you want. When you’re listening to the OCD voice more than you’re own, it’s time for ERP.
Research suggests anywhere from 17-22 ERP sessions are required; however, we find three factors contribute to treatment length:
If you’re experiencing a loss of freedom, control, choice, and inability to relax from the OCD, ERP may be right for you. Book a free consultation to learn more.
In most situations, ERP is covered under extended health benefits. Look for MSW, RSW on your benefit packages. In addition, social workers are included on the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit and are exempt from tax.
Our rate is $225 per session.
Your therapist will recommend a frequency of sessions; however, best outcomes occur with no less than once per week when you begin exposures. Here’s why:
Our therapists are trained extensively to use the best treatment for OCD, helping you and your family overcome OCD and reclaim your life.
To instill hope and promote recovery from OCD.
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