What is Exposure and Response Prevention like?

The goal of ERP is not to get rid of intrusive and unwanted thoughts. ERP teaches the individual that everyone has similar thoughts, they just respond to them differently. The more the person with OCD responds to the thoughts, or engages with the thoughts, the more likely they are to continue to have these.

Specialty-trained, qualified, and licensed OCD specialists will never ask you to do things that go against your values or that will cause you or others harm, nor will they ever force you to do anything that you are unwilling to do. Instead, a successful ERP therapist will guide, support, and motivate you. They will come up with reasonable and creative ways for you to gradually face the fears that are holding you back from living the life that you want to live.