Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) considered the gold standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety, and specific phobias. ERP focuses on helping individuals gradually confront their fears or triggers while preventing the compulsive behaviors they typically use to reduce anxiety.

The core of ERP involves two key components: exposure and response prevention. Exposure refers to progressively confronting the thoughts, images, situations, or objects that trigger anxiety or distress. The goal of exposure is to help individuals learn that their anxiety decreases over time without needing to engage in compulsive rituals. Response prevention involves preventing the individual from performing the compulsive behaviors (such as washing, checking, or reassurance-seeking) they would typically use to reduce anxiety. This helps break the cycle of compulsions reinforcing anxiety and shows the person that their feared outcomes do not occur without the compulsive behavior.

ERP encourages individuals to face anxiety-provoking triggers at a pace they feel ready and willing to approach, while systematically reducing and eliminating avoidance and compulsive responses. Over time, this helps individuals build acceptance and greater tolerance to uncertainty and discomfort, rather than seeking to control or eliminate them. ERP is highly effective in treating OCD, social anxiety, and specific phobias, and is often combined with other therapeutic strategies like cognitive restructuring to address distorted thought patterns, making it a comprehensive treatment option.