Exposure and Relapse Prevention Therapy

Exposure and Relapse Prevention Therapy (ExRP) is a therapeutic procedure based heavily on a behavioral framework, which has proved beneficial in the treatment of various disorders – particularly those associated with anxiety. Its objective is the modification of behavioral patterns that result from the attempt to “get rid of” unwanted thoughts, emotions, or impulses that go against the individual’s values.

ExRP’s core functioning is based on the idea of providing guidance to the afflicted individual, in a deliberate manner, to face/experience (exposure) a situation or situations that generate discomfort and/or anxiety while preventing him/her/they to engage in the compulsive behavior that they have since used to minimize distress. The rationale for this process is for the individual to experience the anxiety and/or distress in a gradual manner and to be able to withstand it without resorting to compulsions, and eventually decrease said anxiety/distress to a manageable degree (it is important to note that the objective is not for the anxiety to “go away” completely, but to habituate to it and to manage it in an adaptive way).

The advantages of this treatment are many, starting with the reduction of the symptomatology cause by the disorder(s) and the acquisition of distress tolerance techniques. Similarly, it has been observed that it contributes to an increase in the individual’s expectation of his/her/their empowerment, thus allowing him/her/them to build a self-concept that includes a greater capacity to achieve objectives and face difficulties.

At The Resilio Counseling Group, we realize how challenging it is to not act out on the obsessions. While exposure can be difficult at first, we remain with you throughout your entire recovering journey.