Exposure and Response Prevention
Your mental health can leave you frozen in fear of places, people, things, or actions. You might avoid things you once loved because you feel safer and more secure without it, or you might soothe yourself through obsessive rituals that interfere with your life. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) and other therapy programs can help break the cycle and allow you to re-engage with the full experience of life.
Fearlessly Confront Your Triggers
Exposure and response prevention therapy is a specific focus of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). According to the cognitive behavioral therapy theory, thought patterns have serious effects on how you feel and act. When engaging in CBT, you learn to recognize your feelings and unhelpful behaviors in order to take steps to change them to healthier patterns.
During this treatment, you would gradually and repeatedly confront things that cause anxiety or are triggers for obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions. Through the therapy process, you can learn to resist the urge to perform compulsive behaviors and face your fears without engaging in rituals or avoidance strategies.
How We Use ERP at Rogers
During ERP, you create a hierarchy of fears, classifying them from least to most feared. Patients are exposed to lesser fears and work on overcoming them before they are exposed to situations, thoughts, images, and impulses that create more anxiety.
As you progress, the therapy becomes more challenging, but by facing your fears in a safe and supportive environment, you can learn to tolerate the anxiety without giving into compulsions. With continued practice and support from our trained therapists, ERP can help you overcome your fears and regain control over your life.
One Call Can Change Your Life
For more than 100 years, we’ve helped our patients rediscover health, happiness, and hope for the future. Find out how we can help yourself or a loved one rediscover the joy in life by calling Rogers at 833.308.5887 or contacting us online.
