Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a highly effective, evidence-based therapy commonly used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related anxiety disorders. ERP involves gradually exposing clients to thoughts, images, objects, or situations that trigger anxiety or compulsions—while helping them resist the urge to engage in habitual responses or rituals. Over time, this process reduces the power of the anxiety and strengthens the client’s ability to tolerate distress. Working collaboratively with a trained therapist, clients learn to face their fears and break the cycle of avoidance and compulsion that maintains anxiety.
Local experts in Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
Gina Patrick
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC
ERP is the gold standard for treating OCD and other anxiety disorders. It is evidence based and highly effective. This is a behavioral intervention that we can work together to implement. I believe it is important to teach my clients as much as possible about these treatment approaches so that there is a thorough understanding of how they work and why they work.
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Cory Anton
Licensed Professional Counselor
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. While seemingly straight forward, the ideas behind how to utilize this method are nuanced and talking back to OCD can be tricky. We get creative together! ERP helps you learn to face your fear while preventing you from engaging in the compulsions (or responses) that maintain the fear. Consent is of utmost importance and you have the final say in readiness and motivation to face your fear head on.
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Nathan Becker (he/him)
Professional Counselor Associate
MA, NCC
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based therapy for anxiety disorders like OCD, social anxiety, panic, and phobias. Anxiety can be so intense that we start to believe the story it’s telling us—or avoid the very things we care about most. ERP helps us interrupt those patterns and gently face our fears, so life can start expanding again.
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Caitlin "Caity" Lynch (They/She)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, NCC
Dealing with intrusive thoughts and ongoing anxiety can make life very difficult. Often clients express feeling stuck in their head, struggling to make decisions, or having meltdowns or Autistic burnout because of anxiety. I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy from a trauma-informed and neurodivergence-informed perspective to help Autistic adults and any adults dealing with OCD and crippling anxiety to find a compassionate and brave way forward.
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Ashley Ward (She/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPCC
I'm certified in ERP, CBT, TF-CBT, and Mindfulness Therapy.
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Gillian Sleeman
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
ERP is the gold standard for treating OCD and other anxiety disorders. It is evidence based and highly effective. This is a behavioral intervention that we will work together to implement. I believe it is important to teach my clients as much as possible about these treatment approaches so that there is a thorough understanding of how they work and why they work!
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Shanna Kramer (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
MA, LPC, CCATP
Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is an evidence-based practice for treating anxiety disorders. ERP is a fancy way of saying “I will face my fears and stop participating in behaviors that keep me scared and avoidant.” Through this collaborative process you will challenge your anxious thoughts and feelings by putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. You’ll come away from therapy with distress tolerance, self-trust, and skills to deal with any future scary stuff.
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Myles Rizvi (He/him)
Clinical Psychologist
PsyD
I have received extensive training in ERP throughout my graduate and postgraduate training. I completed a specialized training in ERP for OCD through the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) course sponsored by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and I have given professional presentations on ERP at the IOCDF and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). I have also provided supervision in ERP for doctoral students.
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Emily Kittelson
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, LPC
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy is proven to be effective for at least 75% of people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I know how scary it can feel to repeatedly confront head-on the fears that are driving your distracting rituals, but science shows us that it's the best and quickest way to relief. I have completed intensive training on how to use Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy for OCD through the Cognitive Behavioral Institute.
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Rebecca Garetz (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
LPC, CYT
I use ERP to treat anxiety disorders and OCD. ERP is a type of CBT, that works on changing behaviors and managing unpleasant thoughts and feelings. We take the time to expose yourself to the anxiety without engaging in safety behaviors and/or compulsions. Through exposure we are training the brain to face fears despite anxiety being present, and when we prevent compulsions we train the brain that the feared stimulus isn't worth the extra time and energy. Let's be brave together.
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