Exposure and Response Prevention therapy is the most researched and effective treatment for OCD — and one of the most powerful approaches for anxiety-related conditions. At Evans Counseling Group, our therapists use ERP to help individuals gradually face their fears, break the cycle of avoidance and compulsion, and reclaim their lives from OCD and anxiety.
What is ERP Therapy?
ERP — Exposure and Response Prevention — is a structured, evidence-based therapy that works by gradually exposing you to situations that trigger anxiety or OCD while helping you resist the urge to perform compulsions or avoidance behaviors. Over time this process teaches your brain that the feared outcome won't happen — and that you can tolerate the discomfort without needing to act on it.
ERP is effective for:
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Intrusive thoughts
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Contamination fears and washing compulsions
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Checking behaviors
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Pure O OCD
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Health anxiety
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Phobias and specific fears
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Social anxiety
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Panic disorder
How Our Denver ERP Therapists Work
ERP therapy at Evans Counseling Group is always carefully paced and collaborative — you and your therapist work together to build a hierarchy of exposures that challenge your fears gradually, never recklessly. The goal is to build tolerance and confidence step by step.
Assessment and Planning Your therapist begins by understanding your specific OCD triggers, compulsions, and avoidance patterns — building a personalized treatment plan around your unique experience.
Building an Exposure Hierarchy Together you create a structured list of feared situations from least to most anxiety-provoking, so exposures are challenging but manageable.
Guided Exposures Your therapist guides you through exposures in session, helping you stay with the discomfort without performing compulsions — building tolerance and breaking the OCD cycle.
Response Prevention Learning to resist compulsions and avoidance behaviors is the other half of ERP — your therapist helps you develop strategies to prevent rituals from reinforcing OCD.
Between-Session Practice ERP work extends beyond the therapy room — your therapist will guide you through practice exposures in daily life to build lasting change.
ERP Therapy in Denver
Evans Counseling Group offers ERP therapy at our Cherry Creek and Highlands locations in Denver, as well as via telehealth across Colorado. We work with adults, teens, and children, and we accept most major insurance plans including Medicaid.
If you're ready to stop struggling with your thoughts and start living the life you want, our therapists are here to help.
OCD and anxiety don't have to run your life, ERP can help.
Common Questions About ERP Therapy
What is ERP therapy used for?
ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD and is also highly effective for phobias, health anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions that involve avoidance and compulsive behaviors.
Is ERP therapy difficult?
ERP involves facing fears which can feel uncomfortable — but it's always done at a pace you can manage. Your therapist will never push you into exposures before you're ready, and the discomfort is temporary and purposeful. Most people find it challenging but transformative.
How effective is ERP therapy for OCD?
ERP is the most researched and effective treatment for OCD available. Studies consistently show significant reduction in OCD symptoms for the majority of people who complete ERP treatment.
Does insurance cover ERP therapy in Denver?
Yes. Evans Counseling Group accepts most major insurance plans including Medicaid. Contact us to verify your specific coverage for ERP therapy.
Do you offer online ERP therapy?
Yes. We offer telehealth ERP sessions for clients across Colorado. Online ERP therapy is effective and research-supported — exposures can be conducted virtually just as successfully as in person.
