Exposure and Response Therapy (ERP)
ERP Therapy in Houston, TX
ERP is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD, intrusive thoughts, and phobias. If you’ve been told ERP is right for you — or you’re looking for the most effective option available — our trained therapists are here to help.
In-person & virtual ERP therapy sessions available
Welcoming children, teens, and adults
Evidence-based treatment for reliable results
Is ERP therapy right for you?
ERP — Exposure and Response Prevention — works by gradually and systematically exposing you to the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger your anxiety, while helping you resist the compulsive responses that have been maintaining it.
Here's what that looks like in practice. Say you struggle with contamination OCD. You feel intense anxiety when you touch things you perceive as contaminated — door handles, other people, pets. Your immediate urge is to wash your hands. It brings temporary relief, but the anxiety always comes back, often stronger.
In ERP, you'd work with a trained therapist to face those triggers one step at a time — starting with less distressing situations and gradually building up. Over time, your brain learns that the feared outcome doesn't happen, and that you can tolerate the discomfort without the compulsion. The urges become less frequent and less intense. Life opens back up.
ERP is one of the most effective treatments available for OCD and intrusive thoughts — with strong research to back it up. But it's not the right fit for everyone. Here’s how to know if it’s for you:
ERP may not be best for you if…
- Your main mental health challenges aren't related to intrusive thoughts, OCD, or phobias
- You want to dive deep into understanding your past, rather than focusing on the present
- You're not ready to face your anxiety triggers, even with professional support
What is ERP (Exposure & Response)?
Exposure and Response Prevention is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD — recommended by leading mental health organizations including the International OCD Foundation. Decades of clinical research support its effectiveness, and for many people it produces lasting, meaningful results.
The Core Idea
Anxiety and compulsions feed each other in a cycle. The compulsion brings short-term relief, but it also teaches your brain that the anxiety was justified — so it keeps coming back. ERP breaks this cycle by helping you face anxiety-provoking situations without performing the compulsion, allowing your brain to gradually learn that the feared outcome doesn't occur and that you can tolerate the discomfort.At Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center, ERP is our primary treatment approach for OCD and intrusive thoughts. Our therapists are specifically trained in ERP, and we use it because it consistently delivers real results for the clients we work with.
What is ERP used for?
Our skilled ERP therapists use exposure response therapy to treat a wide range of anxiety-related disorders and challenges, including...
How does ERP therapy work?
Every client’s fear hierarchy looks different, but the process follows a consistent, evidence-based structure. Here’s what to expect, step by step.
Create a fear hierarchy
We'll identify your specific fears and compulsions, then rank them from least to most anxiety-provoking. This personalized "ladder" will guide our gradual exposure work
Face fears step-by-step
We'll start with lower-level fears, gradually working our way up your hierarchy. You'll learn to resist compulsions and sit with the uncertainty or discomfort, noticing that it decreases over time without rituals!
Practice in real-life situations
As you gain confidence, we'll apply ERP techniques to real-world scenarios. This helps solidify your progress and ensures you can manage anxiety-provoking situations in daily life.
Convenient Appointment Options
In-Person Appointments
Our Montrose office provides a warm, welcoming space for anxiety, OCD, and eating disorder treatment. Convenient on-site parking available.
Telehealth Appointments
Therapy from wherever you’re most comfortable. Our psychologists are PsyPact certified and can see clients in 42 states.
Personalized Care Without Restrictions
We’re a private pay, out-of-network practice — which means your care is guided by your needs, not insurance rules. We provide superbills so you can seek reimbursement directly from your provider.
Learn more about our fees and approachReady to get started?
Living with OCD, intrusive thoughts, or a phobia is exhausting. ERP works — and you don’t have to figure out where to start on your own. Fill out our quick questionnaire and we’ll match you with an ERP-trained therapist who’s the right fit for what you’re going through. Sessions are available in person at our Houston office and online in 42 states.
