Breaking the cycle of OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and severe anxiety often feel like being stuck on a treadmill that you cannot get off. When an intrusive thought or "obsession" enters your mind, it creates an intense amount of distress. To get rid of that feeling, you might perform a ritual, check something, or seek reassurance. This is the "compulsion."
While the compulsion provides temporary relief, it actually reinforces the fear. It tells your brain that the only way to be safe is to perform the ritual. ERP therapy works by breaking this link. By gradually facing the things that trigger your anxiety while choosing not to perform the compulsion, your brain eventually learns that the "danger" isn't real.
"The goal of ERP is not to make the thoughts go away forever. It is to make them so uninteresting that they no longer control your day."
How ERP therapy works
Identification
We work together to map out your specific triggers and the subtle compulsions that keep you feeling stuck.
The Hierarchy
We create a ladder of exposures, starting with small challenges and moving at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Response Prevention
Learn the tools to sit with discomfort without needing to "fix" it through rituals or checking.
Reclaiming Life
As the anxiety lessens, you gain back the time and energy previously spent on OCD cycles.
Who is ERP for?
ERP is the primary treatment for OCD, but it is also highly effective for many other conditions where avoidance or rituals are a problem. We use ERP to help with:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Including contamination fears, symmetry, "just right" feelings, and harm OCD.
- Social Anxiety: Facing social situations without using "safety behaviors" like hiding or over-preparing.
- Phobias: Gradually confronting specific fears of animals, heights, flying, or medical procedures.
- Panic Disorder: Learning to handle physical sensations of panic without needing to escape.
What to expect in our Calgary office
We understand that the idea of "facing your fears" can feel overwhelming. Our therapists in NW Calgary are here to be your guides, not to push you into things you aren't ready for. We start by building a strong foundation of trust and explaining the science behind why ERP works.
In each session, we will practice exposures together. We will coach you through the moments of high anxiety and help you stay the course. Over time, you will find that the things that used to feel like a "10" on the anxiety scale start to feel like a "2" or a "3."
Common Questions
Will I be forced to do things I don't want to do?
Never. You are always in the driver's seat. We collaborate on every single exercise. We will encourage you to take brave steps, but you are the one who decides when you are ready to move up the ladder.
How long does it take to see results?
Many people start to feel a shift within the first 8 to 12 sessions. However, because ERP is a skill, the more you practice outside of the therapy room, the faster your brain begins to rewire its response to fear.
Can ERP be done online?
Yes. We offer both in-person sessions at our NW Calgary location and secure virtual sessions. Both formats are equally effective for conducting ERP work.