Dr. Smith performs ERP with patient

In this example, Dr. Brad Smith shows how he would work with a patient using ERP, (Exposure and Response Prevention) which is a component of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). While this video focuses on eating disorders, ERP and CBT are used in a variety of mental health treatment programs.

ERP is becoming a key component of care for eating disorders at Rogers. This method gradually exposes a patient to feared thoughts, images or impulses and outcome studies show its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and distress over time.

The goal of ERP is to expose yourself to your feared situation while you avoid your compulsive behavior long enough that your anxiety decreases.