How to Find an ERP Therapist for OCD (And What to Look For)
If you have OCD and you are ready to get treatment, the most important thing I can tell you is this: not all therapists are trained in ERP.
That is not a dig at therapists. ERP is a specialized modality. It takes specific training to do it well. And if someone with OCD gets matched with a therapist who does not know ERP, they are likely going to spend a lot of time and money doing something that does not actually work.
So here is exactly how to find someone who can actually help.
First: Know What ERP Is
Exposure and response prevention is the evidence-based treatment for OCD. It works by having you deliberately face the thoughts, situations, and triggers that cause your OCD to spike, while resisting the urge to do the compulsion that normally follows.
Over time, your brain learns that the thought is not actually dangerous. The anxiety comes down on its own. The compulsion was never necessary.
This is different from talk therapy. It is different from CBT in its general form. It is specific. And it requires a therapist who knows what they are doing.
What to Look For in an ERP Therapist
When you are vetting a therapist, here is what actually matters:
Specific ERP training: Ask directly. Did they complete formal training in ERP? Through what program? General CBT training is not enough.
OCD as a specialty, not a checkbox: Some therapists list OCD under a long list of things they treat. That is different from someone who has built their practice around it.
They talk about compulsions, not just thoughts: A therapist who only addresses intrusive thoughts without understanding the compulsion cycle does not fully understand OCD.
They explain the discomfort: ERP is uncomfortable on purpose. A good ERP therapist will tell you that upfront and help you understand why. If a therapist is only offering reassurance, that is actually counterproductive for OCD.
Where to Search
The IOCDF therapist directory at iocdf.org is the most reliable place to find ERP-trained clinicians. You can filter by location, specialty, and whether they offer telehealth.
Psychology Today also lets you filter by OCD specialty, but always follow up with a consultation call to confirm ERP training specifically.
Telehealth has made this significantly more accessible. You do not have to find someone in your zip code. You need someone trained in ERP who is licensed in your state.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
What is your training in ERP specifically?
How do you structure a typical OCD treatment plan?
What does an ERP session actually look like with you?
How do you handle between-session work?
If the answers are vague or they start talking primarily about processing emotions or cognitive restructuring, keep looking.
Working With Me
I am a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in ERP for OCD and anxiety disorders. I offer telehealth sessions and am licensed in New York and North Carolina.
I also created a workbook for people who want to start working through ERP concepts before or between sessions. It is called This Isn't a Journal, and it is built around how ERP is actually practiced in a clinical setting.
Ready to book a session? Head to https://www.mentalhealthissexy.org/anxiety-and-ocd-therapy
Want to grab the workbook? Download it instantly https://www.mentalhealthissexy.org/store/p/erp-workbook
