What ERP Therapy is Really Like
Real experiences shared anonymously by clients who completed ERP therapy with Dr. Viscusi
For anyone considering Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, it’s completely normal to feel nervous, uncertain, or unsure of what the process will be like. That’s why I created this page.
ERP is different from traditional talk therapy. It's active, structured, and designed to help you break the cycle of fear and compulsions in a safe, guided, and collaborative way.
The reflections below come directly from people who completed a full course of ERP with me and chose to anonymously share their experiences. Their words offer clarity and encouragement for anyone wondering whether ERP might help them, too.
I think what was most surprising...was that it worked! I was not sure how I would react to the treatment. I've done CBT in the past, and it worked to a certain extent, but I think I was in such a dark place with my OCD before therapy that I felt kind of hopeless. After my consult with Dr. V., and our first session, though, I had a positive feeling that this could work. And it did.
ERP is less scary than it seems. Talking through the thought processes reduced intrusive thoughts. You have to make sure you know when you are spiraling later because it sometimes does not happen during the experience. You can reflect on the practice from your session and then know when you need to accept the thoughts later.
That it truly works! But consistency and being committed to learning the skills is crucial.
The Biggest Surprises Clients Discover During ERP Therapy
If You’re Nervous or Scared to Start ERP Therapy, Here is What People Want You to Know:
It can't hurt to try. I can't claim that this kind of treatment works for everyone, but what I can say is that it has worked for me and at the very least made me feel less alone. Just being able to talk things out with Dr. V, go through an exposure, sometimes have those conversations…really helps. It's not good to keep it all bottled up inside. It's worth giving ERP a chance.
It can only help it will not hurt you.
Just try it but be all in. Remember it takes time and practice. You did not reach this point over night so it will take time to get out of it.
How Clients Describe Their ERP Experience for OCD
I am a BIG fan of ERP as a treatment for OCD. Exposure is so incredibly effective. Before I met Dr. V. and began ERP, I was so desperately trying to explain away disturbing, intrusive thoughts. They bothered me tremendously. But exposing myself to them at full volume, so to speak, really has worked. Treating the OCD like a bully has worked. The absurdity of the intrusive thoughts now becomes readily apparent.
This is the best way of understanding how to reduce intrusive thoughts.
Initially hard as voicing my thoughts out loud was scary and hard and there were moments I would call Dr Jen and say I am in a spiral and couldn't apply the skills. She would help clear my thinking up and slow down the thought process for me to clearly see what the trigger was and then apply skills. I would not be where I am today if it were not for this life changing therapy!
“I'm not haunted by intrusive thoughts as often as I was. I'm not giving into compulsions every hour of every day. I'm not being as negative to myself. For that, I am very grateful.”
How Life Changes After ERP
I feel lighter. This feeling of the thought disappearing from your mind. Not carrying as much weight. And I'm trying each day to be kinder to myself-- with some success :)
I can go about my normal day without as many thoughts.
More relaxed, less anxious and definitely more aware of my thoughts and OCD, but things are better… I have made my life mine again instead of being anxious all the time about thoughts in my head!