Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) &
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an umbrella term for a series of cognitive behavioural techniques that a therapist will use to treat anxiety disorders. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on how our thinking has an important impact on how we feel and what we do. The cognitive aspects involve discovering, challenging and changing the underlying negative thoughts and beliefs. Cognitive behavioural therapists teach from the scientifically proven context that our thoughts cause us to feel and act the way we do, rather than external influences, people, situations or events.

For example in BDD it is common to experience invasive thoughts, feelings and pictures from your past that make you feel your safety behaviours (mirror checking for example) are necessary. These thoughts feelings and pictures have become so entrenched/automatic that you believe these are 100% 'the truth'.

*Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is used to retrain your unhelpful habits in behaviour. ERP focuses on how we respond when we experience anxiety and unravels how we misinterpret anxiety as a perceived threat and harm (fear).

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