Finding ERP therapist

[tpotter]

How would you go about finding a good therapist who knows ERP? I tried 4 different therapists (all of whom said they did it, but don't), and my older son now refuses to go (but he's doing mostly ok without it.)

 

DS16 really needs to get rid of some "stuck" OCD, but I don't want to mess with therapists who end up just doing "talk" therapy. It doesn't do him any good. Thanks.

[LNN]

You can go to the iocdf under their find a therapist tab http://ocfoundation.org/treatment_providers.aspx and look for a therapist who's completed BTTI training - that's the IOCDF's ERP training institute. But even then, I'd call and interview each therapist, asking how much experience they have working with your age group, maybe give them a scenario and ask how they'd approach the problem, ask how long they feel it should take to see progress (my understanding is your answer should be in terms of 4-8 weeks, not months or indefinite). Ask about their approach to homework (there should definitely be some). Listen for terms like fear thermometer, talking back, exposures...

[smartyjones]

we have been fortunate to finally have found 2 great therapists in the past year that have been very helpful to us. 2 b/c one really gives me suggestions on working with ds and the other actually works with him and helps us with school issues. . . but not really in ERP.

 

i have to say,the best i have found is online from anxietybc.com. you would use it to guide you designing your own program - but i'd have to think you know more than most that you are going to run into and you, or someone other than the therapist, would likely be working the meat of the ERP with him as homework anyway.

 

sorry - do i sound a little jaded? other than these 2 needles in a haystack, i don't have much faith in the profession. i'm pretty sure some, like dcmom, think intense like USF is the way to go.

[mdmom]

We are in the same boat and have seen some of the top therapists in our area. Nothing helped. My DS15 has had so many therapists, he now is in "shut-down" mode and won't spill his guts to anyone.

 

We are taking drastic measures and traveling to USF in November for 3 weeks - and my son is on board with the idea because he is tortured by his residual, habitual OCD thoughts.

[dcmom]

I think quality ERP therapists are few and far between

 

We had a GREAT experience at USF. It is 3 weeks, outpatient, and covered by insurance.

 

When there, they did mention to me Penn Behavioral Health and the University of Pennsylvania. Looks great- but I think they don't take insurance, so it would be quite pricey.

 

Wish I could help more.

[ptcgirl]

We found our wonderful erp therapist by getting a recommendation from dr Eric Storch at USF. I highly recommend asking him if he knows of anyone in your area that can do erp the way they do it at USF. We were able to complete the exact same program 30 miles from my home instead of traveling out of state. Pm me if u need his contact info.

[tpotter]

I think quality ERP therapists are few and far between

 

We had a GREAT experience at USF. It is 3 weeks, outpatient, and covered by insurance.

 

When there, they did mention to me Penn Behavioral Health and the University of Pennsylvania. Looks great- but I think they don't take insurance, so it would be quite pricey.

 

Wish I could help more.

 

 

Thanks. I actually called Penn last year, and I don't remember about the insurance, but they had a multiple month waiting list, and they wanted us to come several times each week. That wouldn't be a problem, but they didn't have any afternoon or evening hours, and I have to work, plus DS has school...and 60 miles round trip for a 1 hour session was kind of daunting, especially given the fact that no one we've checked out in the past was worth it. But, I will call them again, and I will call USF.