OCD & EXRP
At Olive Branch Therapy Group, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP) therapy — the gold standard treatment for OCD. This evidence-based approach helps you gradually face your fears, break the cycle of compulsions, and regain a sense of peace and control.
Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can feel exhausting — like your mind is stuck in a loop you can’t turn off
OCD is not just about being organized or perfectionistic — it’s a clinical condition characterized by:
- Obsessions: persistent, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause anxiety or distress
- Compulsions: repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to relieve anxiety or “prevent” feared outcomes
Common examples include:
- Excessive cleaning or checking
- Fear of contamination, harm, or loss of control
- Mental rituals (counting, repeating, or reviewing)
- Needing things to feel “just right”
- Avoiding certain situations or triggers
Left untreated, these cycles can become deeply ingrained — but with EXRP therapy, clients can learn to interrupt them and build new, more balanced responses.
Understanding OCD
Depression can look different from person to person.
What is EXRP Therapy?
- Gradually face fears and triggers in a safe, controlled environment.
- Practice response prevention, resisting the urge to perform compulsions.
- Retrain your brain to tolerate uncertainty, reduce anxiety, and weaken obsessive patterns over time.
EXRP isn’t about forcing change — it’s about learning new ways to relate to your thoughts and feelings. Our therapists guide you step by step, ensuring every exposure is handled with care and collaboration.
Our Approach to EXRP Therapy
Our clinicians are trained in EXRP and tailor sessions to each client’s unique symptoms, readiness, and goals.
Therapy may include:
- Psychoeducation to help you understand how OCD functions in the brain
- Hierarchy-building to identify triggers and create a gradual exposure plan
- In-session and at-home exposures to build real-world resilience
- Mindfulness and self-compassion practices to reduce shame and fear
- Ongoing progress tracking and support for relapse prevention
Throughout the process, your therapist acts as both a guide and teammate — helping you approach anxiety, not avoid it, and build lasting freedom from compulsions.
What to Expect in EXRP Therapy
The process is structured yet flexible, and typically includes:
You set the pace — we provide the structure, tools, and support to make change possible.
Maintenance and relapse prevention
Strengthen new habits, manage setbacks, and build long-term confidence.
Process your experiences and track symptom reduction over time.
reflection and progress
Gradually face feared thoughts or situations while resisting compulsions.
exposure sessions
Learn how OCD works and collaborate on your personalized exposure plan.
education and planning
FIRST SESSION
Discuss your history, symptoms, and how OCD impacts your life.
Over time, therapy helps you:
- Reduce the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts
- Feel less controlled by compulsions or rituals
- Build tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
- Reconnect with everyday life, relationships, and joy
- Regain confidence in your ability to handle anxiety
Why EXRP Therapy Works
Start EXRP Therapy for OCD in New Jersey
If OCD is interfering with your daily life, you don’t have to face it alone. Olive Branch Therapy Group offers EXRP therapy in East Brunswick, Somerville, and online across New Jersey. Our licensed therapists are trained to help you reduce symptoms, rebuild confidence, and reclaim calm.
