Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Course

Free Course by Everything IFS Academy | Therapeutic Modalities Series

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Welcome to the Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Course for Everyday People (professionals & non-professionals)

Exposure and Response Prevention, or ERP, was pioneered by British psychologist Victor Meyer in 1966 and later refined and named by Edna Foa and her colleagues. It is the gold-standard, first-line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder and a leading approach for anxiety disorders and phobias, carrying one of the strongest evidence bases of any psychological therapy. Its central insight runs against instinct: that the relief we get from avoidance, and from the rituals we use to feel safe, is the very thing that keeps anxiety alive, and that by facing what frightens us while resisting the urge to neutralize it, that fear loosens its grip on its own.

This course teaches pure ERP, with no other modalities blended in, written in plain, relatable language anyone can follow, whether you work in the field or have never set foot in a therapy room. It isn't clinical training for therapists; it's ERP you can understand and use in your own life. Each module offers clear teaching, real-life examples, and the practical tools, techniques, and strategies ERP is known for, and every lesson ends with a simple practice so you can begin using the skill right away.

This course is self-paced, with no tests, exams, or homework. Feel free to go through it in order, or jump around to whatever interests you most.

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Course outline

Click any lesson below to begin.

Orientation

• Module 1 — What is ERP?

• Module 2 — Who created ERP?

• Module 3 — The OCD cycle and the two-factor model

Core Teachings

• Module 4 — Why ERP works: habituation and inhibitory learning

• Module 5 — Obsessions, compulsions, and safety behaviors

• Module 6 — The SUDS scale

• Module 7 — Building the exposure hierarchy

• Module 8 — In vivo exposure

• Module 9 — Imaginal exposure and ERP scripting

• Module 10 — Response prevention

• Module 11 — Tolerating uncertainty and the willingness stance
  

Closing

• Module 12 — Using ERP in everyday life

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Disclaimer: Everything IFS Academy is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the IFS Institute. While we strive for accuracy, errors can occur, and users are encouraged to cross-reference critical information. These courses, lessons, skills, and practices are offered for educational and self-reflection purposes only. They do not constitute therapy, mental health treatment, clinical training, or crisis support, and they should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care.

Crisis Support: 🚨 If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, feel unsafe, feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or feel too overwhelmed to safely use self-directed practices, please pause this material and reach out for immediate support. Contact a licensed mental health professional, call or text 988 in the U.S. or Canada, or use your local emergency or crisis resources.