Exposure + Response Prevention Therapy
ERP therapy consists of exposing someone repeatedly to something they fear or have anxiety about and doing it in a safe environment with the goal of decreasing their anxiety over time.
ERP therapy at Aster Springs
While this highly structured treatment method is frequently used to address obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it’s been modified for the treatment of eating disorders. Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) can be beneficial for individuals suffering from avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and includes two parts that take place at the same time:
At Aster Springs, our professionals understand that ERP therapy needs to be controlled and safe. So, they present easier challenges first and work their way up to more difficult issues. In time, clients become so used to the stimulus that it no longer has the same (negative) effect on them.
- ERP exposes a person to what they fear (exposure)
- Prevents them from reacting a certain way (response) because of that fear
About ERP Therapy
ERP therapy is a method for helping someone overcome or lessen fear or anxiety about an action, item, or activity by exposing them to it over and over in a controlled environment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the foundation for ERP, and in eating disorder treatment, the anxiety usually has to do with food.
Our ERP Therapy Approach
Listen in as Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare’s AVP of Clinical Operations, Kate Fisch, LCSW, CEDS, explains ERP therapy and how it’s used at Aster Springs.
How ERP Therapy Works
ERP is effective in treating eating disorders as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
An ERP therapist might help a patient map out a list of foods and situations that trigger anxiety. Starting with the easier challenges, the patient and therapist practice skills and explore cognitions related to the feared challenge. This process is called “habituation,” when the patient learns that nothing bad occurs if they no longer perform certain rituals.
These exposures and explorations help patients confront their fears and develop more helpful responses. With prolonged and repeated exposure, reactions and anxiety will gradually diminish. While the explanation of this therapy may seem relatively straightforward, clients must work with therapists who are skilled and experienced in ERP therapy.
The Aster Springs Difference
Our distinctive approach combines compassionate, inclusive care with innovative treatment methods, promoting an environment where daily healing leads to lasting real-world recovery.
2025
Real Progress, Backed by Data
Aster Springs tracks clinical outcomes across every level of care to measure the effectiveness of evidence-based eating disorder treatment. As a fully CARF® International-accredited program, Aster Springs is held to rigorous standards of care — and the data reflects it.
Levels of Care
Aster Springs offers comprehensive, evidence-based eating disorder treatment programs designed to meet clients where they are in their recovery journey. Available levels of care include:
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