ERP (exposure and response prevention) is the form of CBT that NICE recommends for OCD — but not every therapist offers it, and finding one who genuinely works this way can feel harder than it should. Here's how to search well.
If you've worked out that you want ERP, you've already done something important: most people spend years in general talk therapy before anyone names the approach with the strongest evidence for OCD. The next problem is practical. Directories are full of therapists who list “OCD” among twenty other things, and it's hard to tell from a profile who actually works with exposure and response prevention week to week.
I'm a CBT therapist, and ERP is a core part of how I work with OCD. But this guide isn't a pitch — most of it applies whoever you end up seeing, and I'd genuinely rather you found the right therapist than the nearest one.
Does “near me” matter for ERP?
Probably less than you think. ERP works well over video — the research on remote CBT for OCD consistently finds outcomes comparable to in-person care, and there are even advantages: exposures can happen in the real places your OCD shows up (your kitchen, your car, your doorway rituals) rather than in an office that your brain treats as a safe bubble.
Searching “ERP therapist near me” makes sense if you strongly prefer a room with another person in it. But if what you want is good ERP, opening the search to online therapists across the UK gives you a far bigger pool — and lets you choose on skill and fit rather than postcode.
What training should an ERP therapist have?
There's no single badge that says “ERP therapist” in the UK, so look for the ingredients:
- A recognised CBT qualification — a postgraduate diploma or MSc in CBT or psychological therapies. ERP is a CBT technique; it should sit on that foundation.
- Specific familiarity with OCD and ERP — ask how much of their current caseload is OCD, and whether they use exposure work routinely or occasionally.
- Supervision — every good therapist, at every career stage, has regular clinical supervision. It's a sign of professionalism, not inexperience. (Mine is with a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist.)
- Honesty about their level — therapists range from newly qualified to professors who wrote the textbooks, and pricing usually tracks that. What matters is that they tell you plainly where they are and work within their competence.
Five questions to ask in a first call
Most therapists — me included — offer a free introductory call. Use it. You're allowed to interview us. Good questions:
- “How would you treat my OCD?” — you're listening for exposure and response prevention by name, and a plan that involves doing things, not just talking about thoughts.
- “Will we build a hierarchy together?” — ERP works up a ladder of feared situations collaboratively. If they can't describe that process, keep looking.
- “How do you handle reassurance-seeking?” — a therapist who understands OCD will explain, kindly, why they won't keep answering “but am I definitely not dangerous?” — because that answer feeds the cycle.
- “How many sessions, roughly?” — evidence-based answers sound like “typically 12 to 20, reviewed openly as we go”, not “as long as it takes”.
- “What happens between sessions?” — ERP lives in the homework. No between-session practice, no ERP.
Red flags
- Vague answers about method (“we'll explore where these thoughts come from”) for OCD specifically — insight-only approaches have weak evidence here.
- Endless reassurance on the call. It feels lovely. It's the disorder's favourite food.
- Promises of a cure or a fixed timeline. Honest therapists talk about probabilities and reviews, not guarantees.
- No mention of supervision, no visible credentials, or pressure to commit to a block before you've met.
What should ERP therapy cost in the UK?
Private CBT in the UK typically runs £70–120 per session with accredited therapists, rising to £150–275 with senior specialists and psychologists in London. Earlier-career therapists with strong training usually charge £40–70. Free routes exist too, and you should know about them: NHS Talking Therapies accepts self-referral in England, and charities like OCD-UK and OCD Action run support services. Waiting lists are the honest trade-off.
My own fees are on the fees page — £60 a session while I open my practice — because I think you should be able to see the number before you ever speak to me.
Get ERP-based CBT for OCD — online across the UK
If what you've read here matches what you're looking for, I offer a free 15-minute call — no pressure, no obligation. Ask me the five questions above; I'd enjoy answering them. If I'm not the right fit for what you need, I'll say so and point you somewhere better.
FAQ
Can ERP really be done over video?
Yes. Studies of remote ERP consistently show outcomes comparable to in-person treatment, and home-based exposures are often more realistic than office ones.
Do I need a diagnosis before starting ERP?
No. A formal diagnosis can only come from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, but CBT therapists work with the problem in front of us — and I'll tell you honestly if I think a different service would serve you better.
Is ERP suitable for “Pure O” / intrusive thoughts without visible compulsions?
Yes — ERP adapts well to mental compulsions like rumination, checking how you feel, and reassurance-seeking. The exposures are simply built differently.
What if ERP sounds too frightening?
That reaction is nearly universal. ERP is gradual and collaborative — you set the pace, and nothing happens without your agreement. Most people find it far more doable than they feared.
MSc Psychological Therapies (University of Edinburgh). CBT therapist and researcher. I work online with adults across the UK and Ireland. About me · Book a free call