How We Treat
Exposure + Response Prevention Therapy
How We Treat
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) 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:
- Exposes a person to what they fear (exposure)
- Prevents them from reacting a certain way (response) because of that fear
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.
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.
With ERP therapy, clients face their fears and anxieties in a controlled environment to change their reactions and, eventually, their actions or avoidance.
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 evidence-based innovation, promoting a healing environment where meaningful progress in treatment leads to lasting recovery beyond our doors.
Average reduction in overall symptoms
Average reduction in dieting behaviors
Average reduction in bulimia + food preoccupation
Levels of Care
Comprehensive treatment options for every stage of eating disorder recovery
Take the next step at Aster Springs.
Whether you’re seeking treatment for the first time or returning after previous care, the team at Aster Springs is here to help you navigate this stage in your recovery journey.
Your privacy is our priority. All communication is completely confidential.
