Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is an specialized form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) used to primarily treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Empirically demonstrated to be highly effective, ERP is the most recommended treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder and has been extended to treat other related conditions as well (e.g., phobias, fear or vomiting or emetophobia, body dysmorphic disorder, health anxiety).

The exposure part of ERP refers to practicing confronting the thoughts, images, objects, and situations that make you anxious and/or provoke your obsessions. The response prevention part of ERP refers to making a choice not to do a compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsessions have been “triggered.”

During treatment, I will work with you to develop a individualized plan for confronting your fears and reducing compulsive behaviors. Treatment will be gradually paced over time as you face your fears.

Common OCD themes and compulsions/rituals may include the following:

• Obsessions: contamination, harm, religious/moral scrupulosity, sexual, somatic, just right/perfectionism, magical thinking, symmetry/exactness, etc.

• Compulsions: checking, reassurance seeking, praying, confessing, counting, washing/cleaning, repeating, rereading/rewriting, arranging, saving, mental rituals, etc.

Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD and related conditions

As a trauma-informed therapist, I have received clinical training through the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) to provide Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD for chronic PTSD and related anxiety, depression, and anger.

Prolonged Exposure is a empirically validated CBT-based treatment with over 20 years of research supporting its use to process traumatic events and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances.

Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD

I have received expert consultation to provide Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is a manualized exposure-based psychotherapy for PTSD that is recommended by the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines. A growing number of studies indicate that WET is effective for PTSD, even among patients with complicated presentations and other comorbid disorders. Findings indicate WET is as effective when delivered via telehealth as face-to-face. Current research studies show that WET is as effective as other evidence based treatments such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

I have received clinical training and consultation through Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington to provide Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive behavioral therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and related conditions. CPT is an evidence-based treatment, meaning it has been proven to be effective through rigorous scientific research.