Clinician use of ERP principles in conceptualization and response to OCD clients seeking reassurance.

BACKGROUND

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold standard psychological treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study assessed if participants' response to a client with OCD, who is seeking reassurance, would follow ERP principles.

METHODS

2,550 American Psychological Association members were randomized to one of three OCD vignettes: contamination, sexual, and harm. Participants selected how they would respond to a client with OCD who was seeking reassurance.

RESULTS

499 participants completed the survey. Across the vignettes, participants (1) were least likely to select the ERP response (harm: 3.0%; sexual: 3.1%; contamination: 7.1%), (2) rated the ERP response as Very Non-Therapeutic or Non-Therapeutic (sexual: 89.6%; harm: 82.7%; contamination: 58.9%), and (3) did not agree that the ERP response (e.g., "You may have stabbed someone") was reflective of the theory and practice of ERP.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater training and education regarding ERP for OCD among mental health professionals is needed.