Questions to Ask Before Starting ERP for OCD
By Dr. Tina Halabian, PsyD · September 21, 2026
- UnderstandAsk about assessment and the clinician’s training.
- Plan togetherDiscuss goals, exercises, and consent.
- RevisitTalk about pacing, functioning, and progress.
When obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is part of the picture, it can be helpful to understand what treatment may involve before you begin. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy and a first-line psychological treatment for OCD. It involves planned practice approaching triggers while refraining from compulsions, including mental rituals. ERP can bring temporary discomfort; exercises are developed collaboratively with a qualified clinician and tailored to the person's needs. The International OCD Foundation describes ERP as a process that addresses obsessions, compulsions, and avoidance through planned, collaborative work.
ERP should be discussed with a qualified clinician who can assess your situation and help determine whether it is appropriate. A conversation before treatment begins can make the process clearer and give you a chance to ask what you need to know.
Questions about fit and assessment
Start with the basics:
- What is your experience assessing and treating OCD, and what specific training and supervised experience do you have in ERP?
- What would you want to understand about my symptoms, compulsions, avoidance, and daily life before recommending ERP?
- How do you distinguish OCD from other concerns that may look similar or occur alongside it?
- Is ERP a possible fit for me right now, and what other supports should be considered if needed?
OCD can look different from person to person. An assessment gives the clinician and client a shared starting point rather than assuming that one person's experience or treatment plan will apply to another.
Questions about how ERP is conducted
ERP is not meant to be a surprise or something done to a client. The International OCD Foundation explains that treatment involves education and assessment, followed by collaborative planning. You can ask:
- How are treatment goals and planned exercises developed together, and what practice will I be asked to do between sessions?
- How will we identify and address visible compulsions, mental rituals, avoidance, and reassurance seeking in my particular pattern?
- How do you pace the work and revisit the plan if it feels too fast, too slow, or no longer fits?
- How will we discuss consent, questions, and concerns throughout treatment?
- How will we track changes in symptoms, time spent on compulsions, and day-to-day functioning?
These are useful questions because clear expectations can make it easier to participate actively in treatment decisions.
Questions about everyday context
OCD rarely exists in a vacuum. Depending on the person, it may affect home life, school, work, relationships, parenting, sleep, or other health care. Ask how these parts of life will be considered. If you are a parent or caregiver seeking help for a child or teen, ask how family involvement and privacy will be handled and what communication is appropriate.
You may also want to ask how the therapist coordinates with other clinicians when coordination is appropriate and authorized, including a physician or prescriber. That discussion should be specific to your situation; a web article cannot determine what care is right for you.
Choosing a next step
The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking prospective clinicians about their credentials, specialty, treatment approach, experience with your age group or concern, and how goals and progress are discussed. Those questions can help you decide whether to schedule an appointment or continue looking for a better fit.
To ask about ERP with Dr. Tina Halabian, visit New Clients. The practice focuses primarily on telehealth in California and New York and can discuss current services, availability, fees, and whether an initial appointment may be appropriate for your concerns.
Related reading
OCD and ERP therapy · What to expect from a first consultation