Does Exposure Therapy Work for OCD?
By : Katherine Pica LCSW
People that are afraid of the dark may choose to sleep with a night light or a light on.
Individuals that are afraid of germs or getting sick may make frequent trips to wash their hands or carry hand sanitizer on standby.
The fear of flying or driving is “fixed” by avoiding situations or events that may require flying or driving.
When you have a fear of something, even just the thought of facing that fear can seem impossible. The truth is that exposing yourself to some of those fears can actually be beneficial to you.
Here’s how to do exposure therapy for OCD.
What to Expect from Exposure Therapy
The thought of exposure therapy may seem a little intimidating. When you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you have compulsions to avoid or deal with your fears on your own terms. It may cause you anxiety to even think about willingly facing your fears and trying not to react to them.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you better understand it so you can see the benefits. Working with a licensed and trained mental health professional can make this process a little easier for you so you don’t feel like you have to go through this all on your own. They’ll work with you to help you better understand your fears and help coach you to overcome them.
What Does Exposure Therapy Look Like?
Understanding Your Fears and Compulsions
As with any type of therapy, one of the first steps of exposure therapy is talking about your fears and any compulsions you may perform with your therapist.
You’ll want to let your therapist know of any urges, obsessions, or intrusive thoughts that you may be having. After you discuss the issues or problems you’re facing, you’ll want to dive into your compulsions or coping mechanisms that you have in place.
Your therapist will work with you to better understand why you feel the need to perform these compulsions or what you feel may happen if you don’t complete a compulsion or ritual that you have set.
Set Your Expectations for What You’d Like Out of OCDTherapy
After you and your therapist work through your fears and compulsions, you’ll move on to discussing your expectations for going to therapy in the first place as well as your therapist’s expectations for the treatment plan they have in place for you. Let your therapist know what brought you to therapy to begin with. Is there a specific fear you want to focus on first? Keep in mind that this is your therapy experience, and your therapist is just helping to guide you on your therapeutic journey.
Exposure Therapy near me
The final step in the process is just to get started! After you cover the initial details, you and your therapist will move on to getting started with the treatment. You’ll work with your therapist on ranking your stressors or situations that you try to avoid. A therapist will usually start exposure therapy with a low to mid-range stressor on your list. You’ll repeat the exposure to the stressful situation with your therapist walking you through how you’re feeling. Once you feel confident that you’re able to face the fear without performing a compulsion, you’ll start to see the positive benefits of this form of treatment.
Next Steps for ERP treatment
Are you struggling with OCD? Exposure therapy may be a great option for you. It’s time to take back control over your life again. Contact us today to learn more about exposure therapy and to see if it’s a good fit for you and your needs.
San Diego ERP treatment
At Resilience Counseling, we specialize in OCD treatment, providing expert care tailored to your unique needs. All of our therapists have undergone extensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard for treating OCD. We offer compassionate, evidence-based support to help you break free from the cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions.
We understand how challenging it can be to live with OCD, and we’re here to guide you through each step of the journey. Whether you’ve been struggling with intrusive thoughts for years or are just beginning to seek help, our team is equipped with the skills and experience to support you in finding relief and regaining control.
OCD treatment Near Me
If you're looking for an experienced OCD and ERP therapist, you've come to the right place. We provide therapy both in person in San Diego and online throughout California, making treatment accessible and convenient for you.
Take the first step toward managing your OCD and reclaiming your life—contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Author Bio: Katherine Pica OCD Treatment - San Diego, CA
Katherine Pica is the owner and clinical director of Resilience Counseling, where she supervises all therapists and ensures the highest standard of care for clients. With over 17 years of experience in the field, Katherine has been practicing since 2007 and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team.
She is extensively trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, offering specialized treatment for those struggling with anxiety, OCD, and trauma-related concerns. Katherine’s compassionate approach and deep understanding of OCD provide clients with the tools they need to reclaim their lives.
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