Expanding Professional Offerings: ERP Therapy for OCD and Anxiety Disorders

Hello, Laura Hetzel here, and I’m excited to share an update regarding the services I offer. I am now trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders. ERP is an evidence-based therapeutic treatment that works to manage the symptoms of OCD by helping individuals and their families to disengage from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions and reclaim their lives. Read on to learn more about ERP therapy and how to recognize common OCD symptoms in yourself or your child. 

What is ERP Therapy?

ERP (sometimes called ExRP) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment specifically designed to help individuals manage symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. It is considered the gold standard treatment for OCD, focusing on breaking the cycle of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (ritualistic behaviors).

The core principle behind ERP is gradually confronting fears without engaging in compulsions. Over time, this reduces the power of the obsessive thoughts and reduces the need for compulsive rituals.  

Whether for a child struggling to manage fears or an adult trying to regain control of their life, ERP can provide significant relief. By using this structured, gradual exposure technique, individuals can rewire their brains to respond more appropriately to triggers.

Some Common Signs of OCD

Intrusive Thoughts: These are unwanted, distressing thoughts that are hard to shake, like fears of harming someone, fear of being a bad person, or of things being “wrong." These thoughts are repetitive and come back again and again despite efforts to stop them. Some common themes of intrusive thoughts can include excessive fear of dirt or germs or of being responsible for harming someone. 

Compulsive Behaviors or “rituals”: These are repetitive actions you feel you must do, like washing your hands multiple times or checking the locks over and over, in order to ease anxiety. Other examples might be: ensuring things are “just right,” counting in certain patterns, reviewing mental lists, ruminating, or checking for mistakes over and over again. These behaviors are usually time consuming. For instance, you might spend hours a day arranging items, reviewing social interactions in your head, or asking reassuring questions over and over again, even though you’ve already checked multiple times.

Despite recognizing that these thoughts and behaviors might be irrational or excessive, someone with OCD usually feels powerless to stop them. OCD can be scary, confusing, and frustrating. 

For Parents: Potential Signs of Pediatric OCD in Your Child

Parents may notice signs of OCD in their children if they become unusually fixated on certain thoughts or fears, such as a fear of germs, fear of harm coming to themselves or loved ones, or needing things to be "just right.” Children might show distress when things are not in a specific order or may engage in repetitive behaviors like washing hands repeatedly, checking if a door is locked, or avoiding certain situations, people, or places. OCD can also show up as resistance to change, an intense need for routine, unexpected big reactions and irritability, or seeking constant reassurance from parents (such as through frequently repeated questions). Families often find themselves living their lives differently than they would like to in order to try and ease their child’s distress. If your child’s behaviors are taking up a lot of time, appear excessive, or are causing significant distress, it’s a good idea to reach out to a professional for guidance and support. Together, we can assess for the presence of OCD and its severity and develop a plan for your child’s treatment.  

OCD looks a little different in everyone, but, with the right treatment, it is manageable. Contact Artful Explorations Therapy today if you think ERP treatment might benefit you or your child. 

My Areas of Specialty, by Kristen Rashid, MA, ATR-BC, LPC

Hi there, this is Kristen Rashid, MA, ATR-BC, LPC: Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and founder of Artful Explorations Therapy. My bio and the art therapy page are great places to learn about me and my work, but today I also want to share a little further about some specific areas of practice that over the years have become my specialties.

Child and Adolescent Therapy

I have 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents in art therapy and counseling. Over that time I have supported kids and teens through many experiences, challenges, and diagnoses including Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Adjustments, Divorce, Grief/loss, Emotion Dysregulation, Immigration & Acculturation, Adoption, Family Conflict, Peer Relationship concerns, Trauma, and more. Many times families come to me for support to work through and move beyond the cycle of power struggles they find themselves getting pulled into with their child or teen. Other times a divorce, loss, or other adjustment prompts a client to reach out to me. Still other times, a family may reach out due to their child or teen experiencing difficulty with communication or social connection, or having big feelings they don't know how to manage. I’m here to offer an outlet for expression, facilitate healthy change, and offer steady support when things feel stormy.

Anxiety

Many clients come to me with anxiety that preoccupies them, prevents them from full participation at school/work/social settings, impacts their overall emotional regulation, or drives them to engage in perfectionistic or obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I've helped many kids, teens, and adults to process, move through, and manage their anxiety in order to more fully function in, enjoy, and experience their social relationships, better navigate various settings and situations, and learn how to self-regulate.

Adjustments and Life Transitions

Whether it’s adjusting to a separation or divorce, a new sibling being born, the onset of a chronic illness, a career change, a loss, a move, or another life transition, having the space to process these changes within a supportive therapeutic relationship can feel grounding. I work with clients through both the initial adjustment period of a life transition and the time following, helping them to sort through the emotions that are arising as well as the logistics of facing new challenges in their daily life brought on by their new circumstances.

ADHD

ADHD can bring with it challenges in sustaining focus and attention, managing impulsivity, making and keeping friends, staying organized and engaged enough to be successful at school or work, and regulating emotions. I have found that art therapy is especially helpful to be able to target and practice some of these skills as well as process some of the underlying emotional and relational content that someone with ADHD may find relevant to their experience. I welcome neurodiversity and creative approaches, and lean into each client’s strengths to provide support for them to reach their goals and grow.

Family Systems

When working with kids and teens, I always view the client in the context of their family system. I consider the roles and dynamics in family interactions and the home setting, and aim to involve parents/guardians in treatment. Parent/guardian consultations and sessions, sibling sessions, and whole family sessions are offered as relevant to support the children and adolescents on my caseload in communication, conflict resolution, family dynamics, and family support.

Cultural Competence

I’m an Asian-American therapist of color. I value cultural humility and also have lived experience that I bring with me to my interactions with clients. Beyond that, I’ve engaged in continuing education courses and further training that supports a framework of culturally sensitive therapy to develop a therapeutic approach that centers inclusivity, accessibility, antiracism, and cultural humility. I invite you to bring your whole self into our sessions.

I’m seeing clients in-person at our office in Society Hill, Philadelphia, PA. I also offer telehealth as needed or requested. You can find general info about our therapy team and location on our about page.

Contact us to find out more or to schedule a free initial consultation.