ERP Therapists in Melbourne
Struggling with OCD? ERP Therapy in Melbourne Can Help
If you’re living with obsessive thoughts or feel trapped by compulsive behaviours, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep suffering. At Dynamic Psychotherapy, we offer evidence-based Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy to help you manage OCD and take back control of your life.
Book Now or Learn More
Submit an intake form below or keep reading for an overview about seeing an ERP Therapist.
What Is ERP Therapy?
ERP is a structured, step-by-step therapy that helps you:
- Face your fears in a safe, supportive way
- Reduce compulsive behaviours by learning to tolerate discomfort
- Break the cycle of avoidance, reassurance seeking, and ritualising
- Build confidence and resilience over time
ERP is not talk therapy. It’s a proven method that teaches you how to respond differently to your thoughts and urges—without relying on compulsions.
Why Consider ERP With Us?
Choosing the right therapist matters. At Dynamic Psychotherapy, we offer:
- Deep extensive experience in treating OCD and anxiety
- An approach built on safety, trust, and collaboration
- Support informed by decades of clinical knowledge
- Therapists who understand the challenges of ERP and how to make the work manageable
ERP is effective—but it can also be hard. We don’t minimise that. We work with you to make it manageable, meaningful, and successful.
What Is ERP Therapy?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is considered to be the most effective therapy for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps you learn how to face the thoughts and situations that trigger anxiety—without doing the compulsions that keep you stuck.
Key Concepts Behind ERP
ERP is based on two core steps:
- Exposure: You’re gradually exposed to thoughts, images, or situations that trigger anxiety or discomfort.
- Response Prevention: You learn to resist the urge to perform compulsions (such as checking, washing, counting, or avoiding).
Over time, your brain learns that you can handle distress without rituals—and the anxiety begins to ease.
How ERP Helps
Through ERP, you’ll begin to:
- Respond to thoughts and urges without fear
- Reduce the intensity and frequency of obsessions
- Stop compulsive behaviours from running your life
- Regain time, energy, and peace of mind
ERP doesn’t aim to remove intrusive thoughts—it helps you respond to them differently, so they no longer control your behaviour.
ERP Is the Most Highly Researched Treatment for OCD
ERP is the most highly researched treatment for OCD, supported by over 40 years of clinical research. It consistently shows strong results in reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
How ERP Therapy Works
ERP is a structured process. You won’t be asked to do anything overwhelming right away. Your therapist works closely with you to understand your symptoms and support you at every step.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect in ERP
1. Assessment and Planning
- Identify your specific obsessions and compulsions
- Understand how they affect your life
- Set clear treatment goals based on your values and priorities
2. Psychoeducation
- Learn how OCD works and why compulsions keep it going
- Understand how ERP reduces anxiety through repeated exposure and new learning
3. Creating an Exposure Hierarchy
- Build a list of feared situations, ranked from least to most distressing
- Use the SUDS scale (Subjective Units of Distress) to track anxiety
- Start with manageable challenges and move up gradually
4. Doing the Work: Exposure and Response Prevention
- Face triggering situations or thoughts in a safe, supported setting
- Resist compulsions or rituals
- Learn that anxiety fades on its own without needing to act on it
5. Reviewing Progress
- Track changes in anxiety levels and behaviour
- Adjust exposures and refine strategies as you improve
- Reinforce gains and prepare for long-term success
ERP is about teaching your brain that it’s safe.
What to Expect From ERP Sessions
ERP therapy at Dynamic Psychotherapy follows a structured, collaborative approach. Every client’s experience is shaped by their symptoms, strengths, and readiness. Sessions are active, focused, and grounded in clear therapeutic goals.
Session Format
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Frequency: Once per week
- Delivery: Available in-person at our Melbourne clinic or online
What Happens During ERP?
Each session is designed to support progress. You and your therapist will work through:
- Reviewing changes and challenges since the last session
- Identifying any new triggers or patterns
- Practising exposure exercises together
- Learning to sit with distress without performing rituals
- Planning exercises to practise outside of session
Between-Session Practice
You’ll be encouraged to apply what you learn in real-life situations. This may include:
- Exposure tasks in everyday settings
- Imaginal exposure (mentally confronting feared scenarios)
- Exercises designed to reduce reliance on compulsions over time
This is structured, evidence-based work. You’ll always be supported to move forward at a pace that’s manageable for you.
Is ERP Therapy Right for You?
If you find yourself stuck in distressing thoughts or feel driven to repeat behaviours to feel safe, ERP can help. This therapy is for people who want to break free from the cycle of obsessions and compulsions—and are ready to face discomfort with support.
Who Benefits from ERP?
ERP is most effective for people living with:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Repetitive checking, cleaning, counting, or reassurance seeking
- Intrusive thoughts that feel hard to ignore
- Strong urges to avoid people, places, or objects
- Anxiety tied to doubt, uncertainty, or fear of doing harm
Types of OCD ERP Can Help With
ERP works across many OCD presentations, including:
- Fear of contamination (also known as germ phobia)
- Fear of illness (sometimes called health anxiety)
- Fears of harming others or yourself
- Doubts about safety or memory (checking OCD)
- Religious or moral fears (scrupulosity)
- Needing things to feel “just right” (different to perfectionism)
- Worries about relationships or identity
You don’t need a formal diagnosis to start. If your thoughts and behaviours are getting in the way of daily life, ERP may be a helpful step forward.
Why Choose Dynamic Psychotherapy for ERP Therapy in Melbourne
Choosing the right therapist for ERP is important. ERP is a focused, active form of therapy—and it works best when delivered by someone who understands the process, the challenges, and how to support change without overwhelming you.
At Dynamic Psychotherapy, we work with you to create a safe, structured space where change is possible.
FAQs about ERP Therapy
How long does ERP therapy take?
Most people notice meaningful progress within 3-8 sessions. Some experience changes sooner, others need longer. Total resolution of the distress will usually take 12-25 sessions or more. Some experience changes sooner, others need longer
Will ERP make my anxiety worse?
In the short term, you may experience short periods of increased anxiety but your therapist will help you to manage these brief periods. But over time, anxiety fades as your brain learns that compulsions aren’t needed.
Do I need a diagnosis to start ERP?
No. If your symptoms are interfering with your life, you can start without a formal diagnosis.
Can ERP be done online?
Yes. ERP is effective both in-person and via telehealth from Melbourne.
What if I’m not ready to face my biggest fears?
ERP starts with smaller challenges. You’ll never be pushed beyond what you’re able to manage.
Request an Appointment
Ready to book an appointment with a ERP Therapist in Melbourne? Use our appointment request form by clicking the button below.