Exposure Therapy (ERP): Taming the "Nasty Neighbor" and Panic

What if the very things you do to calm your anxiety are the exact habits keeping you trapped in fear? In this episode of Breaking Down, hosts Jeff Guenther, LPC and Dr. Lindsey Lerner sit down with clinical psychologist and OCD specialist Dr. Elyse Conterno to unpack the gold standard treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). First, Elyse explains why OCD is not just about clean hands or organized desks. She dives into mental rituals, relationship anxiety, reassurance seeking, and why thoughts are just thoughts, even when they come with intense dread. She also shares how she pairs ERP with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people live by their values instead of their fears. Next, Elyse leads Lindsey through a live, in-room exposure session targeting food contamination and the fear of accidentally losing control. Lindsey eats a snack that feels contaminated, while Elyse helps her resist all her usual safety habits (like throat-checking, body scanning, and drinking water), allowing Lindsey's nervous system to calm down naturally in under five minutes. Finally, the group breaks down how the exposure worked, why white-knuckling through fear backfires, and how anyone can learn to let anxiety ride in the back seat without letting it drive the car.

Learn more about Dr. Elyse Conterno
Learn more about Dr. Lindsey Lerner
Follow Jeff on Tiktok and Instagram