Treating OCD with ERP

Tara Kong, MS, NCC, LPC-Associate Supervised by Melissa Barton, LPC-S Treating OCD with ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) during this time of the year is crucial! We find ourselves in a season filled with pumpkins, pumpkin spice, and all things fall-related. Included in this time is Halloween. Many people enjoy the thrill of a harmless scare, but it is not that fun when it comes to our real-life fears. Our natural response is often to try to avoid the things we fear or push them down and pretend it doesn’t exist. That’s where Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) comes in. It is currently being used as the gold standard for treating anxiety, phobias, and OCD. Instead of trying to stop your thoughts and relax the anxiety away, ERP has the person lean into anxiety and experience it. I know this can sound counterproductive. Why would one want to invite anxiety in and welcome it? Along with confronting anxiety, people who participate in ERP also commit not to engage in compulsive behavior. Practicing this over time will eventually cause your anxiety to go down as your brain learns a new way of coping.

OCD Triggers: The Body’s Alarm System

Think of your OCD as an alarm system. Alarm systems go off to tell us what we need to take action. For example, if there was an intruder or the house was on fire. But what if your alarm went off when a leaf landed on your roof? Your body will respond the same way as if there were an actual danger. OCD takes control of your body’s alarm system. Instead of letting you know when a real danger is at hand, OCD will respond to any trigger like a real threat, even when it is not. When your anxiety is triggered, an alarm goes off and tells you that you are in danger, rather than you might be in danger. When anxiety is triggered, and one engages in compulsive behavior to feel safe, this sends the message to your brain that you are in real danger. A leaf on the roof is the same as someone breaking into your house. Compulsive behaviors fuel the part of the brain that sends out unwanted alarm bells. To stop anxiety and obsessions, one must stop engaging in compulsive behaviors.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for OCD

Starting ERP can be a tough decision to make because it feels like you are choosing to put yourself in danger. Facing fears is also a difficult thing that many of us don't enjoy doing. Knowing that ERP changes your brain and will change your OCD is essential. It helps people challenge their anxiety and align it with what is happening to them. Though it is hard work, it’s well worth the effort to be able to live without anxiety and OCD that keeps one from living their best life.

Begin Counseling at Our Center in Katy, TX!

If you are ready t0 take control of your life and stand up to anxiety and OCD, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy Texas, follow these three steps:

1. Contact our office to set up an appointment or to get more information on therapy for children. 
2. Meet with one of our understanding therapists
3. Find other ways to help your child gain confidence with therapy today!

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Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!