Our OCD treatment program offers specialized care using evidence-based modalities, primarily focusing on Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), to help individuals confront their anxiety triggers and reduce compulsive behaviors. In addition to ERP, the program integrates other therapies like Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which address unique cognitive processes and help patients manage emotions and align behaviors with personal values. The center's versatile staff tailors treatments to each individual's needs, aiming to reduce the impact of OCD and anxiety on daily life.
According to the International OCD Foundation it can take an estimated 14-17 years from the onset of symptoms for a person to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for OCD. The stigma behind the disorder often causes people to hide their symptoms, lack of understanding or knowledge of the disorder and therapists not properly trained or educated in the area results in people not getting proper help. Improper treatment can cost a person years in talk therapy without results. In fact, talking and analyzing thoughts for someone with OCD can make symptoms worse.
We offer specialized treatment for individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder. Our OCD program utilizes a mix of evidence-based treatment modalities to support new learning in the brain. Exposure response prevention therapy plays a big role in our program.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy that is considered the gold standard of treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. This evidence-based treatment is highly effective for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, and other anxiety-related disorders.
ERP involves purposefully exposing yourself to the things that make you anxious. Exposures involve confronting the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make you anxious and/or provoke obsessions. Response prevention refers to making a choice not to do compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsessions have been triggered. ERP is guided by a trained therapist who will help you learn to eventually do these ERP exercises on your own. ERP treatment retrains your brain so that the things making you anxious no longer hold power over you.
Read popular questions and answers about the center's treatment methods, therapy approaches, and personalized care.
The general counseling program at ALC is rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy and the idea that effort and practice yield results. ALC uses “light” exposures for the treatment of OCD. For example, a person who has a fear of thunderstorms may work up to hearing the sounds and seeing the visuals of the storm in a session.
At A Little OCD Treatment Center, we have more freedom for creativity. We can leave the office and confront actual triggering situations. Sessions for ERP are generally one hour or more depending upon the session plan. ERP sessions initially may not be spaced out to support the learning of new experiences with exposures. Evidence based research shows that exposures should be practiced frequently to change the physical and mental reaction to the anxiety. Homework is often utilized with ERP to support session content.
Call our office to get more information!
The general rule of ERP is not to do anything the therapist wouldn’t do, within reason of course!
For example, we would not ask a client with a fear of germs to eat a gummy bear off of a toilet seat, but we will build a tolerance with germ exposure.
Interoceptive exposure is the practice of strategically inducing the somatic symptoms associated with a threat appraisal and encouraging the client to maintain contact with the feared sensations. We will ask for a doctor’s note in order to proceed with interoceptive exposure. Safety is always at the forefront of exposures.
Just like any other anxiety/OCD counseling program, it can be different for each person. Generally, these sessions may be more frequent at first with the goal of tapering down as anxiety decreases.
An estimate might be 12-25 sessions.
Good question. Have you ever tried to rationalize with “the OCD” thoughts or anxiety and it doesn’t work? This is simply because logic and rational thinking don’t have an impact on “the OCD”. When a person with “the OCD” thinks into their thoughts it only grows them bigger and bigger.
Even if someone logically understands that the rituals are irrational, the fear behind them remains so strong that they still engage in the compulsions. OCD is rooted in an intolerance of uncertainty and regardless of which subtype you may be struggling with; good treatment involves learning to handle uncertainty. You may not like to be uncertain, but you can learn to tolerate it without compulsions.
Talk therapy can be a fantastic treatment option for other issues.
Yes, we offer ERP for children and adolescents. Please call our office to provide more information about what your child is experiencing to see if we can help.
Parents are always involved in the care of minors to some extent. Age, the nature of the exposure, and what’s in the best interest of supporting the child’s goals are all considered when determining the level of parental involvement in sessions.
We require both parents to consent for our ERP program regardless of a separation or divorce.