Call: 612-875-1890
Call: 612-875-1890
Request A Free Consultation

Counseling FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Request A Free Consultation
Call: 612-875-1890
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) directly challenges your OCD by having you face fears without doing compulsions. Regular talk therapy often makes OCD worse by encouraging you to analyze or explain away intrusive thoughts, which actually reinforces them. ERP breaks the cycle by teaching your brain that anxiety decreases naturally without rituals.
Most people start noticing changes within the first few weeks of ERP, though significant improvement usually develops over 12-20 sessions. Research shows you’ll likely see substantial, lasting benefits after completing 60-100 exposures. The timeline depends on your willingness to practice exposures between sessions and how consistently you resist compulsions.
Absolutely. OCD is highly treatable regardless of how long you’ve had it. Many people don’t get proper treatment for 14-17 years after symptoms start, but ERP works even for long-standing OCD. William himself lived with OCD for 10 years before achieving remission. The key is getting specialized treatment from someone who understands OCD.
ERP has about an 80% success rate for significant OCD improvement. Research shows 62-65% of people achieve meaningful response, with 43-50% reaching remission. Unlike medication, where 45-89% of people relapse when stopping, ERP improvements tend to last long-term. The benefits persist because you learn actual skills to manage OCD.
No. ERP starts with exposures you’re willing to try, usually somewhere in the middle of your fear hierarchy. You and your therapist work together to create a plan that challenges you without overwhelming you. You’re never forced or surprised into exposures – everything is collaborative and voluntary after you understand why you’re doing it.
William is an OCD survivor who achieved remission after 10 years of struggling. He’s also a recognized OCD researcher whose work helped create international treatment standards, and he’s president of OCD Twin Cities. His practice focuses exclusively on OCD, and clients often find him when previous therapy hasn’t worked well enough.