Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy for OCD in NYC & New York
Break the cycle of intrusive thoughts, feelings or sensations and compulsive behaviors. At Aspire Psychotherapy, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders and anxiety. Whether you're new to treatment or have tried therapy before, our ERP therapists offer expert, compassionate care.
✔ No Wait Times
✔ Highly Trained OCD Experts
✔ LGBTQIA+ Therapists
✔ Neurodivergent Affirmative Care
What Is Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy?
Over 90% of people experience intrusive thoughts. What distinguishes OCD is the compulsive behavior that follows—checking, avoiding, ruminating, or other rituals meant to neutralize anxiety. As a result, people with OCD often find themselves spending large parts of their day and tons of energy feeling stuck, afraid and avoidance, which often takes a toll on relationships, work life, school, and your general well-being.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is a powerful form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps people reduce these intrusive and unwanted thoughts, sensations and images and the compulsive behaviors that come next. The approach is structured around two essential components:
Exposure: Facing anxiety-triggering situations that produce the unwanted thoughts, images or sensations.
Response Prevention: Refraining from the compulsions or rituals that typically follow
With repeated exposure to obsessional material, and delaying or preventing the associated ritual, your brain learns that you can tolerate the anxiety and uncertainty without needing to perform a ritual to feel better. Through our year of experience, we've see that most clients fall into 1 of these 4 core fears: (1) something bad is going to happen now, (2) something bad is going to happen in the future, (3) This unwanted feeling/sensation/experience is going to last forever, or (4) I will be abandoned. Through ERP, your psychotherapist will help you design experiments to activate these core fears and help you grow a concrete toolbox of skills to "ride the wave" of discomfort without completing the ritual.
Why ERP Works for the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
You might wonder: “If I already feel exposed enough, how is this different?”
ERP isn’t about suffering through discomfort, it’s about learning something new.
When we engage in compulsions, we reinforce the belief that obsessive thoughts are dangerous or need to be neutralized. We never hit our peak anxiety or intensity of tolerating that uncomfortable feeling, so we don't learn that a new pattern can exist. This often leaves people with OCD feeling insecure, out of control and helpless that anything can change. Therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder interrupts this cycle. The effectiveness of ERP lies in this retraining of thought and behavior patterns. Research shows that ERP is effective in treating OCD and is considered the most effective behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Who Can Benefit From ERP
While ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD, it is also highly effective for people with the following symptoms:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Intrusive thoughts and Pure O OCD
Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Perfectionism
Fear of Failure
Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder
Specific Phobias (e.g., contamination, driving, vomiting, needles)
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs): trichotillomania, dermatillomania
Relationship OCD (ROCD), harm OCD, religious OCD, and more
How ERP Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
While traditional talk therapy can offer insight and emotional support, it doesn’t always address the behavioral reinforcement that keeps obsessive compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) going.
For example, untrained providers may continue to fuel the problem by providing reassurance, which provides you relief in the short term but in the long term, continues the problematic behavior. We call this turn "accommodation", and our parents, siblings, partners, and even therapists can "accommodate" us. Change happens not just through talking, but through doing differently. Many clients come to us after trying therapy with an in-network provider and share they just never felt like they were getting better. And sometimes, OCRDs can go undiagnosed or unnoticed unless you work with an experienced psychologist or psychotherapist. Folks who receive ERP experience noticeable improvements quickly when they begin to incorporate the response prevention component in their daily lives.
Exposure therapy is a highly effective treatment for anxiety, phobias, and OCD. This evidence-based approach guides you through facing feared memories, emotions, or situations in a safe and supportive environment. Over time, it helps you break free from avoidance behaviors, retrain your brain’s fear responses, and build lasting emotional resilience. For those struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), we use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard in OCD treatment. Our goal is to help you feel more empowered, in control, and ready to move forward with confidence.
Meet Our Clinical Directors
All new clients first meet with one of our Clinical Directors for the New Client Intake (30 minutes - Virtual). After this session, you will be personally matched to a provider our time that’s the best fit for your goals, therapy preferences and personality.
Dr. Anya Scolaro, Psy.D. | Psychologist & Clinical Director
Dr. Scolaro specializes in Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, including OCD, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), trichotillomania, and social anxiety. She brings expertise in evidence-based practice and psychological testing from a neuroaffirmative lens when working with clients who have ADHD or Autism, creating treatment plans that honor each person’s unique brain and lived experience. Dr. Scolaro is a member of the International OCD Foundation.
Brie Scolaro, LCSW | Therapist & Director
Brie specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy for perfectionists, high-achievers, athletes and LGBTQIA+ individuals—especially those navigating Just Right OCD, fear of failure, and reassurance-seeking. They use behavioral therapies like ERP combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients break free from compulsions and live with more ease, clarity, and confidence.
What to Expect in ERP Sessions at Aspire Psychotherapy
ERP treatment can feel intimidating, but the exposure component will never push you beyond your limits. Our OCD specialists guide you step-by-step through the treatment process. Sessions typically involve:
An assessment and planning phase, usually taking the first 2-4 sessions, to outline sessions treatment.
Measures like the Y-BOCHS and OCI-R to objectively capture OCD symptoms and current disruption to your life
Behavioral mapping to understand your OCD cycle, including your obsessions, compulsions, safety behaviors, and core fears.
Psychoeducation about OCD, ERP and how the vicious cycle works.
Collaborative development of an exposure hierarchy, often called a "fear ladder" that guides homework and learning
ERP therapy uses different types of exposure exercises depending on your symptoms:
In Vivo Exposure: Confronting feared situations in real life (e.g., using public restrooms without washing excessively)
Imaginal Exposure: Visualizing feared events in a safe therapeutic space
Interoceptive Exposure: Triggering physical sensations associated with anxiety to reduce fear of them
Virtual Reality Therapy (VRET): Using technology to exposure you from the safety of our office
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to jump into difficult exposures right away?
No. ERP starts with education, trust-building, and small steps. You’ll collaborate with your therapist to build an exposure hierarchy that makes sense for you.
Can ERP help with internal compulsions?
Yes, exposure therapy for OCD is highly effective for individuals with Pure O or internal rituals, such as mental checking, reassurance-seeking, or rumination.
Do you accept insurance?
While we are not in-network with insurance, we are reimburseable out of network providers. We can provide you a superbill and even help you understand how to check for potential out of network reimbursement.
Is ExRP used alongside medication?
Yes, it can be used on its own or in combination with medication. We’re happy to coordinate care with your prescriber.
What should I expect at the first session?
Your first session will be an intake (30 minutes - virtual) with one of our clinical directors. We will begin to collect information about your experiences and build a roadmap for treatment. You will then meet with your ongoing individual therapist, and you can expect the first 1-2 sessions to continue with the assessment and planning phase.
What if it didn't work for me before?
ERP is most effective when delivered by a therapist trained in OCD treatment. Our team specializes in ERP and will tailor your care to your needs.
What Our Clients Say
“After suffering my whole life and then having what I’d constitute as a mental breakdown, I’m living generally an anxiety free life without using medication.”
“I am diagnosed with OCD, and I can confidently say that in a world where getting quality mental health services is extremely difficult, the folks at Aspire stand out as gems – they are true professionals, and the treatment works. Using the techniques I’ve learned from Aspire, I’ve achieved recovery in my OCD journey. My experiences at Aspire taught me how to shift my mindset to recover, and how to stay on top of my mental health consistently. 5/5 experience.”
“Dr. Scolaro is an incredibly gifted therapist who has helped me learn and practice vital CBT skills that have changed my life”
Explore Therapy & Support Options
Office Locations in NYC and the Hudson Valley
We provide mental health services in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Stone Ridge, NY, serving clients across NYC and New York State
Upper East Side Office - Manhattan
312 E 85th St Suite 1A, New York, NY 10028
Hudson Valley Office
Healing Arts Center, 3457 Main St Floor 2, Stone Ridge, NY 12484
Ready for a change? Begin Evidence-Based Treatment Today
It can be hard to know who to trust when it comes to selecting the right therapist. It's an important decision - and also a weekly commitment to uncomfortable feelings and letting someone actually see you in that process. We get that. We are committed to delivering the highest quality mental health care, and centering you and your goals in the process.
Take the next step towards relief. Fill out our quick form and immediately gain access to booking your intake with a senior staff member. Want to accelerate the process? You can also submit our Therapy Preferences Form to get your results even quicker.