Exposure Therapy in Baltimore, Maryland, and Online

ERP Therapy - Evidence-Based Treatment for OCD and Anxiety

At Behavioral Health Direct, we specialize in providing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy—the gold standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. Conveniently located in Baltimore, Maryland, we offer both in-person sessions and online teletherapy to clients across Maryland, helping you achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Call, email, or schedule a free consultation now. (443) 296-2584

What is Exposure Therapy and How Does it Work?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a structured form of therapy rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles. ERP works by:

Exposing you gradually to the thoughts, situations, or objects that trigger your anxiety or compulsive behaviors.
Preventing your usual response, such as avoidance or ritualistic compulsive behaviors, to help reduce anxiety and OCD symptoms over time.

This process retrains your brain to tolerate distress and weakens the power of obsessive fears and compulsions. ERP doesn’t just alleviate symptoms; it addresses the underlying cycle of OCD and anxiety, empowering you to live more freely.

Benefits of Exposure Therapy

Exposure therapy with response prevention (ERP), a behavioral technique from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), aims to help individuals confront and overcome fear and worry associated with anxiety and OCD. The goal is to reduce the impact anxiety has on your life by challenging your assumptions and beliefs about experiencing anxiety and reversing conditioned behavior that maintains and feeds anxiety. Some of the benefits of exposure therapy include reduced fear and anxiety, improved quality of life, and increased ability to cope with anxiety-provoking situations. You will learn how to:

Break the anxiety and OCD cycle.
Stop avoiding, obsessing, or engaging in compulsive behavior.
Reduce the impact your thoughts and doubts have on your life.
Overcome your fears.
Start enjoying life again.

What Conditions Does Exposure Therapy Help With?

ERP is an effective treatment for many different types of anxiety disorders and OCD including:

- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Addressing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
- Social Anxiety: Reducing fear of judgment or embarrassment in social situations.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Managing chronic worry and tension.
- Panic Disorder: Coping with panic attacks and reducing fear of their recurrence.
- Phobias: Gradually overcoming fears of specific objects, animals, or situations like driving, bridges, or flying.

How Does Exposure Therapy Work?

Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing a person to the thing they’re afraid of. This could be done in imagination, or in real life. There are several explanations for how and why exposure therapy works.

Desensitization: Facing your fears repeatedly in a controlled way reduces your intensity, much like a horror movie becomes less frightening the more you watch it, leading to eventually being able to confront your fears without being overwhelemed.
Cognitive Reframing: Exposure helps you develop a more realistic view of your fears, teaching you that they may not be as dangerous as they seem and that you can cope with the anxiety they evoke.
Willingness and Psychological Flexibility: When an individual chooses to face their fear, they are taking a psychologically flexible stance of acceptance, openness, and willingness. Exposure therapy helps train your mind to respond to anxious thoughts with flexibility and helps you stay grounded and present. You learn to respond to difficult thoughts and feeling with openess and willingness, instead of getting stuck and lost in them. This helps you make choices that align with our deepest values – even when those choices are difficult.

Why Choose ERP at Behavioral Health Direct?

Collaborative Approach: We tailor treatment to your individual needs, ensuring you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. We see our role as a collaborator and work with our clients to find the best approach suited for them. Flexibility and creativity play an important part of our therapy process.
Flexible Therapy Options: Choose between in-person therapy in Baltimore, MD, or the convenience of teletherapy from anywhere in Maryland.
Expertise in Evidence-Based Care: Our therapists specialize in OCD, anxiety disorders, and related conditions, using proven techniques to help you achieve your goals.
Thorough Education: We take the time to explain the psychological foundations of ERP, ensuring you understand how and why it works.

Reviews and Testimonials

Behavioral Health Direct - Therapy for Anxiety and OCD, Baltimore

5.0

Kevin C.

21:41 18 Jan 24

Yisrael was kind, understanding, and patient. He was able to help me navigate through one of the most challenging times of my life.

Edwin Z.

20:32 11 Jan 24

"I am beyond grateful for the incredible support and guidance I received from Yisrael during a time when my anxiety was overwhelming. Yisrael's compassion, understanding, and expertise were evident from the very beginning. He created a safe and nurturing environment where I felt comfortable opening up about my struggles and fears. Yisrael's deep knowledge of anxiety management techniques and his ability to tailor them to my specific needs truly made a difference in my life. With his help, I learned valuable coping strategies that have empowered me to face my anxiety head-on. Yisrael's unwavering support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength for me. I cannot thank him enough for the positive impact he has had on my mental well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend Yisrael to anyone seeking support for anxiety or any other mental health concerns. Thank you, Yisrael, for being an incredible source of support when I needed it the most!"

David A.

20:10 16 Jun 23

I was client from January to June. I had many sessions that were helpful to overcome obstacles in life. He carefully listens and explores with you different alternatives until you find the best strategy that suite your need. He is very realistic and provide practical recommendations.

Haley G.

00:35 02 Feb 23

Truly a great experience, helped me immensely!

Isaiah H.

23:00 06 Oct 22

Yisrael is the best. Helped me through some difficult times in life and I couldn’t be more thankful. I give him my highest recommendation.

Andrew T.

17:44 24 Aug 22

Yisrael was a great help to me when I was suffering from anxiety. I make use of some of the things he taught me often. I highly recommend him.

Common Questions About Exposure Therapy

Is ERP the only way to help OCD and anxiety? No, while ERP is highly effective in treating anxiety and OCD, we can work with you to explore other evidence-based treatment options like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Inference-Based CBT if you think ERP might not be a good fit for you.
How long does ERP take to work? The duration varies by individual, but most clients notice significant progress within 8-20 sessions when actively engaged in the process.
Can ERP be done online? Absolutely! ERP is highly effective in an online therapy setting, allowing us to deliver the same level of care and customization through teletherapy.
What happens if I’m too anxious to start? Our therapists will meet you where you are. We’ll take the time to build trust and create a plan that feels achievable, starting with small, manageable steps.
Does ERP work for kids and teens? Yes, ERP can be adapted for children and adolescents. We work closely with young clients and their families to ensure treatment is effective and age-appropriate.