What is ERP for OCD?

What is OCD?

By Lauren Siegel

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a pattern of thought and behavior characterized by unwanted, recurring thoughts or images (obsessions) that produce anxiety, and result in repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that function to reduce that anxiety. Essentially, an individual with OCD might experience an obsessive thought (i.e. “what if I forgot to turn the stove off and the apartment burns down?”), prompting significant anxiety, and may engage in a compulsive behavior (i.e. checking the stove 5 times in order to make sure it’s off, thereby reducing the anxiety temporarily). Living with OCD can be a painful experience, and many people report feeling unable to control their compulsions despite wanting to or disliking how the compulsions interfere with daily life.
(OCD) is a pattern of thought and behavior characterized by unwanted, recurring thoughts or images (obsessions) that produce anxiety, and result in repetitive behaviors

An individual may meet criteria for OCD if their obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming, cause a significant amount of distress, and interfere with daily commitments such as work, school, and socializing. Many of us experience intrusive thoughts or recurring behaviors from time to time, and that doesn’t necessarily mean a person has OCD. One key differentiator is how much the behaviors are interfering with a person’s life. This can mean how much time they’re spending on compulsions, how much the compulsions are interfering with engagement in daily activities, or how much distress the obsessions and compulsions are causing.

Compulsions become a way of temporarily reducing the anxiety caused by obsessions. To make matters even more complicated, thoughts can be compulsions too! For example, a person might count lightbulbs in a room, or repeat a phrase to themselves in their head, in order to try to neutralize the anxiety caused by an obsessive thought pattern or intrusive image. Essentially, the formula is as follows for folks struggling with OCD:

If the recurring thought or image ramps anxiety up, it is likely to be an obsession.

If the recurring thought or behavior temporarily brings anxiety down, it is likely to be a compulsion.

So, why can’t a person use compulsions if it makes them feel better? Well, the short answer is that compulsions make us feel better in the short-term, but in the long-term they cause a lot more suffering. Essentially, our brain starts to become reliant on compulsions to help us manage our anxiety. The brain starts to believe that if we didn’t do the compulsion, we would be in danger or something bad might happen to someone we love. That keeps us pretty dependent on compulsions. Additionally, performing compulsions actually makes the obsessions intensify over time, because the brain believes that obsessions are a real threat and compulsions are needed to prevent harm. This leads to a pretty unpleasant cycle.

Got it. So, what is ERP?

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is widely considered the leading evidence-based treatment for OCD. Studies suggest that between 60-85% of people who meet criteria for OCD and complete the recommended course of ERP with a trained therapist experience significant symptom reduction (Yan et al., 2022). Those are good odds!

ERP works by prompting obsessive thoughts (with a trained professional) and then tolerating the anxiety and resisting the urge to engage in the compulsion. Yep, we’re actually trying to bring on the obsessive thoughts - and not because your therapist wants to be mean or cause you pain. The brain needs to learn that obsessive thoughts and the anxiety they cause, while painful, are not dangerous, and that our feared outcome doesn’t actually happen when we don’t engage in the compulsion. The brain needs to learn that the compulsions aren’t actually needed to keep you safe.

Let’s look at an example: If an individual has obsessions about germs on public transportation leading to serious illness, they might use compulsions such as cleaning, hand-washing rituals, or avoiding public transit altogether. With their therapist, the client would put together a structured list of situations that prompt a lot of obsessions about germs, and rank how distressing they think each situation would be. The therapist and the client would then actively seek out those situations (that’s the exposure part), and help the client resist the urge to use the cleaning compulsions (that’s the response prevention part). Over time and with lots of practice, the individual learns how to tolerate the anxiety that obsessions cause without using compulsions. Eventually, the individual learns that the anxiety associated with the compulsions eventually subsides without the compulsion, and that their feared outcome is unlikely to occur.

At Behavioral Psych Studio, we work with clients to deliver tailored ERP treatment, all within a safe therapist-client relationship.

Sources

Junjuan Yan, Linyu Cui, Mengyu Wang, Yonghua Cui, Ying Li. The Efficacy and Neural Correlates

of ERP-based Therapy for OCD & TS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J. Integr. Neurosci. 2022, 21(3), 97. https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2103097

Law, C., & Boisseau, C. L. (2019). Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Perspectives. Psychology research and behavior management, 12, 1167–1174. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S211117

5 Simple Steps for Building Resilience in Your Child

Your child slams the door, bursts into tears, or shuts down completely.

You want to protect them from pain, but deep down, you know that’s not the answer. What they need is the ability to face hard moments and recover.

That’s what building resilience is all about.

It’s not about making your child “tougher.” It’s about helping them feel safe, supported, and capable, even when life gets hard.

So, how do you help your child build resilience, without adding more pressure to your already full plate?

Let’s break it down into clear, manageable steps you can use today.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is your child’s ability to cope when things don’t go as planned. It’s how they adapt to change, handle stress, and recover from big and small setbacks.

Rather than avoiding challenges, resilience helps them face those moments with a sense of strength and stability.

Resilience is not a fixed trait; it’s a skill. And like any skill, building resilience takes time, support, and practice.

Why is Resilience Important for Children?

Kids face challenges every day, some small, some overwhelming. A tough school assignment, a new classroom, a big change at home; these moments can be hard, and your child may not always know how to cope.

Resilience helps children manage stress, solve prob

lems, and keep going even when things feel tough. It supports emotional regulation, builds confidence, and strengthens their sense of self.

When you support your child in building resilience, you’re helping them feel capable and secure, not just now, but in the years ahead. It’s one of the most powerful tools you can give them.

5 Practical Strategies to Help Build

Your child's journey towards resilience begins with your support and guidance. Here are five simple, meaningful ways you can help strengthen their resilience:

1. Encourage Positive Thinking

Help your child see that challenges provide chances to grow. Encourage them to focus on what they can do, not just what went wrong. Talk about what went well, even on tough days. This helps them stay hopeful and feel more in control when things get hard.

2. Model Resilience Yourself

Kids watch closely, especially how you respond to stress. When you face a challenge, name it and talk about how you’re coping. Share age-appropriate stories about times you struggled and got through it.

3. Build Problem-Solving Skills

Instead of fixing everything for them, ask: “What do you think we could do about this?” Work through options together. Over time, your child will feel more confident making decisions and handling challenges independently.

4. Support Emotional Awareness

Help your child name their feelings and discuss what might help. Create space for emotions without judgment. This kind of emotional awareness is key to healthily coping with stress.

5. Celebrate Their Effort

When your child works through a tough moment, recognize it. Point out their courage, effort, and growth. Even small steps matter. These moments build confidence and reinforce the belief that they can handle hard things.

Need Support Building Your Child’s Resilience?

Helping your child bounce back from stress isn’t always easy, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Behavioral Psych Studio offers evidence-based treatments to support young minds through life’s challenges.

Whether your child faces anxiety, big emotions, or ongoing stress, our team is here to help them grow stronger.

Schedule an appointment today and take the next step toward your child's brighter, more resilient future.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental health. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Behavioral Psych Studio does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content presented here.

Understanding Your Teen's Stress: Practical Tips for Meaningful Talks

Do you ever notice your teen feeling overwhelmed, withdrawn, or irritable, and it brings back a rush of your stressful teenage years? Back then, the stress may have come from juggling homework, friendships, and maybe a part-time job.

Now, it feels like the pressures on teens are multiplied—the constant feed of social media comparisons, the relentless push for good grades, and the ever-shifting landscape of friendships.

It's tough to watch them carry this weight of teen stress, feeling almost helpless to understand what they're truly going through. Let’s talk about how you can help them ease the stress they're experiencing.

What are the Common Causes of Teen Stress?

As you think about how to talk with your teen about stress, it's helpful to understand what might be causing those feelings. Often, teen stress comes from a few main things:

Academic Pressure: You might see your teen feeling overwhelmed by the need to do well in school, get good grades, and be involved in extracurricular activities as they go through high school and plan for what comes next.
Social Pressures: Fitting in and dealing with social expectations can be important to teenagers. Worries about friendships, dating, and what their friends are doing can cause a lot of stress for them.
Family Dynamics: Family relationships can get tricky as your teen tries to become more independent. Arguments with you or their siblings can add to their stress at home.
Physical and Hormonal Changes: The changes happening in their body and hormones during adolescence can also affect their stress levels, leading to mood swings, concerns about how they look, and just feeling uncomfortable.
Technology Overload: With social media and technology always around, your teen might feel like they need to be online all the time and might constantly compare themselves to others. This can lead to stress and feelings of not being good enough.

How Do You Talk With Your Teen About Stress?

Talking with your teen about stress can be challenging, but it's essential to create a safe space for open dialogue. Here are some tips for starting the conversation:

Choose the right time and place: Pick a time when your teen is most likely to be open to talking, such as during a car ride or while doing an activity together.
Validate their feelings: Start by acknowledging that being a teenager can be stressful, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes. This will help your teen feel understood and less alone in their experiences.
Listen actively: Encourage your teen to express themselves without judgment or interruption. Show that you're interested and engaged by asking open-ended questions.
Be patient: Teenagers are often hesitant to talk about their feelings, so don't push too hard. Let them know that you're always available to listen.
Offer support: Ask your teen what you can do to help. Sometimes, knowing they have someone to lean on can make all the difference.
Seek outside help: If your teen's stress levels are too high to manage, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can give your teen the tools to cope with stress effectively.

Compassionate Support for Your Teen's Stress at Behavioral Psych Studio

Behavioral Psych Studio has a team of experienced clinicians that is committed to supporting young people as they navigate various challenges, whether it's stress, anxiety, depression, self-harm, or academic pressures.

We provide personalized treatment approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), tailored to meet the needs of each teenager.

With locations in Beverly Hills, San Diego, and New York City, effective support is within reach.

Please schedule an appointment with us today.

Unlocking the Power of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for Better Mental Health

Person in Black Pants and Black Shoes Sitting on Brown Wooden Chair

Have you heard of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with certain mental health challenges, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy might offer the support you need.

This evidence-based approach is crafted to help you develop practical skills for navigating tough moments and regaining control.

Let’s examine DBT in more detail and consider how it can positively affect you or someone you care about.

What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a specialized type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) designed to help you understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected.

While both therapies aim to explore these connections, DBT goes further by integrating technologies of change with principles of Zen-buddhism and acceptance-based practices. As such, DBT focuses on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and accepting difficult experiences.

Through DBT, patients learn to manage their emotions, come to terms with their mental health challenges, and reduce harmful behaviors.

How Does DBT Work?

The term "dialectical" highlights the presence of coexisting opposites. One of the ways this appears in DBT is by learning to find the balance between acceptance and change, both in yourself and in the world.

In your sessions, your therapist will guide you in acknowledging your behaviors and experiences while also working to improve your emotional management.

What Does DBT Treat?

DBT is primarily used to treat borderline personality disorder, but it has also proven effective for a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
Substance use disorders
Eating disorders
Bipolar disorder
Self-harm behaviors
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Anger management difficulties
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Interpersonal relationship issues

What are the Benefits of DBT?

The benefits of DBT are extensive and can truly make a difference in your mental health and overall well-being.

Here’s how it can help:

Improves Emotional Regulation: Learn how to recognize and manage intense emotions healthily, which can help reduce impulsive behaviors and enhance your emotional well-being.
Enhanced Interpersonal Skills: DBT focuses on improving communication and relationship skills, helping you build healthier, more fulfilling connections.
Increased Mindfulness: By incorporating mindfulness practices, you can become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, helping you respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively.
Reduces Self-Destructive Behaviors: Identify and address harmful behaviors, such as self-harm, substance use, or suicidal thoughts, with healthier ways to cope, reducing the urge to engage in these actions.
Encourages Self-Acceptance: Build a more balanced and positive view of yourself, fostering self-compassion and boosting self-esteem.
Tailored to Your Needs: DBT’s flexible approach allows it to be adapted to your unique needs, enabling your therapist to address specific challenges and personalize treatment based on your goals and preferences.

Explore DBT for Better Mental Health With Behavioral Psych Studio

If you or someone you care about could benefit from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, we’re here to help.

At Behavioral Psych Studio, we’re dedicated to creating a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, goals, and challenges.

With convenient teletherapy options and supportive between-session coaching, our compassionate team is committed to providing the guidance you need wherever you are.

We firmly believe in your strength and potential to build the life you envision.

Healing the Unseen: Trauma Therapy Explained

Person in Black Jacket and Blue Denim Jeans Sitting on Black Couch

Trauma can leave deep scars, sometimes so hidden we hardly notice them.

But they affect us, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions. These scars can disrupt your sense of safety, shake your trust in others, and leave you feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges.

We're here to tell you that healing is possible and that you don't have to live with the pain of the past.

Trauma therapy can help you heal, find peace, and start living the life you deserve.

Understanding Complex Trauma and PTSD

First things first, let's clear up what we mean by "trauma."

Trauma isn't necessarily only a single scary event; it can be a series of ongoing or repeated distressing experiences, often starting early in life.

This is what we call complex trauma, and it can leave lasting effects, making you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, and struggling to trust the world around you.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing a single traumatic event.

Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of anything that reminds you of the trauma.

While these are natural reactions to an unnatural situation, if they're impacting your life significantly, it's time to seek help.

Both complex trauma and PTSD can significantly disrupt your life, but with the right support, healing, and recovery are absolutely possible.

The Benefits of Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy isn't just about managing symptoms. It's about reclaiming your life and rediscovering your inner strength.

Through therapy, you can:

Reduce anxiety and depression. Trauma often leaves us feeling on edge or overwhelmed. Therapy provides tools to manage and possibly overcome these emotions and find inner peace.
Improve sleep and physical health. Trauma can disrupt our sleep and overall well-being. Therapy helps you develop healthy habits and restore balance.
Develop healthier relationships. Trauma can make it difficult to trust and connect with others. Therapy creates a safe space to heal those wounds, build meaningful relationships, and create healthy boundaries.
Increase self-esteem and confidence. Trauma can chip away at our sense of self-worth. Therapy helps you rebuild your confidence and embrace your true potential.

Effective Trauma Therapy Approaches

At Behavioral Psych Studio, we focus on a personalized approach to trauma therapy.

There's no one-size-fits-all solution!

We work with you to find the right combination of evidence-based trauma therapy approaches that resonate with your unique needs and experiences.

Some of the powerful tools we use include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that are keeping you stuck.

It's about gaining a fresh perspective and creating new, healthier ways of thinking and behaving.

A CBT therapist will teach you skills to manage your emotions and reactions so you can feel more in control.

Prolonged Exposure (PE) involves gradually confronting trauma-related memories and feelings in a safe and controlled environment, helping you reduce anxiety and regain control.
Written Exposure Therapy (WET) involves writing about your traumatic experiences and processing them with a therapist, leading to reduced PTSD symptoms.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) targets the unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that often develop after trauma. By learning to identify and challenge these thoughts, you can change how you feel and behave.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT equips you with skills to manage intense emotions, build healthy relationships, and tolerate distress.

It combines mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to build a life worth living.

It's like a toolbox for navigating life's challenges with more confidence and resilience.

DBT for PTSD addresses complex PTSD and emotional dysregulation, helping you build essential skills for managing intense emotions and navigating life's challenges.
DBT-PE combines the benefits of DBT with Prolonged Exposure, offering a comprehensive treatment for individuals struggling with both PTSD and self-harming or suicidal behaviors.

Holistic Trauma Therapy Techniques

Therapy isn't just about talking. We believe in a holistic trauma therapy approach that addresses your whole being.

This might include:

Mindfulness and meditation. These practices can help you connect with the present moment and calm your nervous system.
Body-based therapies. Yoga, tai chi, and other movement therapies can help release tension and reconnect with your body.
Creative expression. Art, music, and writing can provide healthy outlets for expressing your emotions.

Your Journey to Healing Starts Here

We understand that reaching out for help can be tough, especially when it comes to something as personal as trauma.

But know that you don't have to walk this path alone.

At Behavioral Psych Studio, we're committed to creating a safe, supportive space where you can heal and grow.

Our therapists are trained in various healing therapy techniques and approaches and provide trauma therapy for adults, adolescents, and children.

We're here to listen without judgment, understand, guide, and support you.

We treat a wide range of concerns, from anxiety and OCD to complex trauma and PTSD.

Take the first step towards a brighter future.

Contact Behavioral Psych Studio today, and let's start rewriting your story together.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your mental health. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Behavioral Psych Studio does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content presented here.

Trauma Therapy: Reclaim Your Power, Reclaim Your Peace

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