Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
First Line, Gold Standard Treatment
Though there are many effective therapy treatments to date for a range of issues, CBT comes out as the most researched, most helpful for the widest range of problems, and can be highly personalized.
This triangle reflects no particular order or prioritization.
- A = Affect, or feelings and emotions
- B = Behavior, or actions
- C= Cognition, or thoughts and beliefs
CBT capitalizes on how each of these three domains have strong relationships to each other. The heart of the theory and practice is based on the knowledge that changing one or more of these domains leads to changes in the other. Another way of looking at it is that the more a person lines up their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors with reality, the more they achieve well-being, and many problems can be alleviated.
Exposure Therapy (ET and ERP)
Relevant Videos
Curated to get you started.
What is Exposure Therapy and How Do You Do It?
Exposure therapy can sound intense. What is it? How is it done? Why is it so effective? Justin K Hughes, MA, LPC explains simply an extremely effective FIRST LINE and “GOLD STANDARD” treatment for anxiety disorders and more.
The 4 Types of Exposure Therapy
Exploring the 4 Types of Exposure Therapy- In Vivo, Imaginal, Interoceptive, and Virtual Reality- Justin offers punctual clarity to the approach of how fears that are being treated can be accessed, whether situationally, in one’s thoughts/imagination, through sensations, or a combination.
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure."
Specially Curated Resources
These are handpicked, referenced in ACTUAL therapy sessions.
(Sorry, I cannot accommodate outside requests to add to resources.)This page may contain affiliate links. This means that some links on this site will produce a small commission from affiliate sites. Read more
Distinguishing Information-Seeking and Reassurance Seeking
This helpful chart is an educational guide separating info-seeking from reassurance.
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Overcoming Unacceptable Thoughts (Houston OCD)
Check out this presentation by several notable clinicians on “overcoming unacceptable thoughts.”
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Relapse Prevention in OCD (Shala Nicely)
“As you go into recovery from OCD, it’s good to keep in mind that relapse
prevention is a process, and living how we want to live requires some
maintenance….”
“May” or “May Not” Exposure Scripting (Shala Nicely)
“…MOMN statements, which are a type of exposure scripting, can be used with any type of OCD content…because OCD is not about the content!”
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Exposure and Desensitization (U of Mich)
“We spoke about sensitization in the section “Anxiety Fuel.” Now we’ll talk
about desensitization, which means we work to make our anxiety alarm less
sensitive, so it doesn’t go off as often or as loudly.”
Facing Your Fears: Exposure (Anxiety BC)
“An important step in managing anxiety involves facing feared situations, places or
objects. It is normal to want to avoid the things you fear. However, avoidance prevents
you from learning that the things you fear are not as dangerous as you think.”
Key Research Articles on Imaginal Exposure (Science Direct)
“Imaginal exposure refers to patients intentionally confronting specific memories….in their imaginations either by verbally describing … or by writing a description…”
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Stopping the Noise In Your Head (Dr. Reid Wilson)
“Dr. Reid Wilson proposes a groundbreaking, paradoxical approach to overcoming anxiety, worry, OCD, panic, and phobias by moving away from comfort, confidence, and security and willingly moving toward uncertainty, distress and discomfort.”
View >From My Blog
Related posts from my blog
Why EMDR Is Not An Evidence-based Treatment for OCD
I’m just gonna say it: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is not an established evidence-based treatment for OCD. It is not a first line treatment (aka, best first pick), nor does it have any specific research backing as a comprehensive OCD treatment at this time. Does EMDR Treat OCD? This topic is raised often […]
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An Introduction To The “Over-Active Conscience”: Understanding Scrupulosity & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Dr. Ted Witzig
This article is aimed at Christians but also provides a rich overview on scrupulosity. It was written by Ted Witzig, Jr., PhD and was graciously allowed to be reproduced in its entirety. I first met Dr. Witzig at IOCDF conferences. He is compassionate, intelligent, and provides some of the best overviews I’ve seen with OCD […]
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Stop Trying To Have Positive Thoughts
As with many of my clients, Anne* was befuddled as to why she couldn’t stop obsessing. She was a high performer at work and revered in relationships. However, she couldn’t get it out of her thoughts that she was failing, that imminent doom was about to befall her, and that it would all come crashing […]
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Exposure & Response Prevention Is NOT A Paradoxical Intervention
I’ve had many clients and spouses state at the beginning of their exposure therapy that they are practicing ‘paradoxes’ to prove to themselves how ridiculous their OCD is. I’m all for seeing OCD as ridiculous– however, OCD is not treated by insight-oriented approaches (psychodynamic, general psychotherapy- i.e., “talk,”). Paradoxical interventions work like the following example: […]
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You’ve Decided to Stop Therapy. First, 11 Important Considerations.
Your best treatment is closely connected to how closely you stick to the evidence base. However, you as the client always need to advocate for your best treatment. Successful clients are assertive for their treatment, ask good questions, and sometimes even disagree with their professional. This is healthy. Client involvement and assertiveness is a fundamental […]
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OCD Texas’ Learn at Lunch Series: “Common Pitfalls in ERP 4 OCD”
As the OCD Texas Dallas ambassador, I’ll be giving a “Learn at Lunch” talk! Title: Common Pitfalls in ERP 4 OCD (Presentation with Q&A) Description: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD is gold standard treatment. However, successful outcomes are dependent not only on both appropriately applying the evidence base, but also utilizing effective strategies […]
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