ERP Therapy in Surrey, BC

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy at Forward Mind Counselling

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy is a structured, evidence-based treatment designed to help individuals manage anxiety and obsessive-compulsive patterns. At Forward Mind Counselling, we provide ERP Therapy in Surrey for adults, teens, and children who are struggling with obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours, and intense fears that interfere with daily life.

ERP helps you learn new ways to respond to distressing thoughts without giving in to rituals or avoidance behaviours. Over time, these skills help reduce anxiety and restore a greater sense of freedom and control.

What is ERP Therapy?

ERP is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) specifically developed for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related anxiety disorders. It’s based on the principle that facing fears directly, in a safe and supported environment, can reduce their power over time.

Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, ERP helps you gradually face it — learning that discomfort can decrease naturally when you resist the urge to engage in compulsive actions. This process teaches the brain that anxiety is temporary and manageable.

How ERP Therapy Works

ERP is a step-by-step approach tailored to each client’s comfort level. Your therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan that includes:

Identifying Triggers – understanding the thoughts, images, or situations that cause anxiety or obsessions
Gradual Exposure – facing those triggers safely and progressively, starting with lower-intensity situations
Response Prevention – practicing resisting compulsions or avoidance behaviours to break the cycle of anxiety and relief
Building Tolerance – learning to sit with discomfort and uncertainty without acting on urges

ERP is a collaborative process — your therapist supports you at every step, ensuring exposures are paced appropriately and never overwhelming.

What ERP Therapy Can Help With

At Forward Mind Counselling, ERP is used to treat a variety of anxiety-related conditions, including:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Addressing intrusive thoughts and reducing the need for rituals or repetitive behaviours.

Social Anxiety

Building confidence through gradual exposure to feared situations.

Phobias

Reducing avoidance by safely confronting specific fears.

Health Anxiety

Helping manage excessive worry about illness or bodily sensations.

Panic Disorder

Decreasing fear of physical sensations linked to panic attacks.

Perfectionism

Breaking rigid thinking patterns and fear of mistakes.

What to Expect in ERP Therapy at Forward Mind Counselling

In your first sessions, we’ll explore what brings you to therapy, how your symptoms affect your life, and what goals you want to achieve. Together, we’ll design a structured plan that includes gradual exposure exercises at a pace that feels safe.

ERP sessions are active and skill-focused. Between sessions, you may practice exposures with therapist guidance, using coping tools and tracking progress. Over time, you’ll learn to manage anxiety independently, with less reliance on rituals or avoidance.

Getting Started with ERP Therapy

ERP offers a clear, practical path to help you take back control from anxiety and intrusive thoughts. With consistent practice and support, most clients notice meaningful improvement in both symptoms and quality of life.

If you’re ready to start learning tools that bring lasting change, contact Forward Mind Counselling to book an Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy session in Surrey. We offer both in-person and online appointments.

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP)