What Is ERP And Why Is It Effective For Children with Anxiety
Anxiety can be difficult to deal with, not only for the child struggling but also for the family who are trying to support them. Whether it’s worry about school, fear of the dark, or a racing heart before a class presentation, anxiety can manifest in a variety of ways. Fortunately, treatment methods are available to overcome this emotional response. One of these methods is ERP — short for Exposure and Response Prevention. The following blog will delve into what exactly ERP is and why it’s so effective in treating children’s anxiety.
What is ERP?
ERP is a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) that can encourage kids to face their fears instead of avoiding them. The treatment works through gradual exposure to anxiety triggers, helping children resist the urge to engage in the compulsions or behaviours they typically use to reduce distress. When a child successfully resists, the therapist reinforces their behaviour to strengthen it and effectively maintain it outside of therapy. The more they practice tolerating the anxiety, the more confident they can become.
Why ERP Works
Anxiety thrives on avoidance. If your child avoids a situation because it makes them nervous, they never get to find out that their worst fear most likely won’t come true — or that they can handle the emotion if it does.
Through exposure, ERP teaches the brain a new way to respond to triggers. Instead of looking for ways to escape, your child can learn to tolerate the discomfort, and over time, their compulsive response fades. This can be empowering to them. They begin to feel more confident in themselves and less controlled by fear.
Types Of Anxiety ERP Can Help With
ERP can help treat a wide range of anxiety-related issues in children, including:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Kids with GAD tend to worry a lot about a wide range of topics, including school, family, and the future. ERP helps them face specific worries and creating safe, structured exposures to challenge them.
Social Anxiety: A child might fear speaking in front of others or being judged. ERP can help guide them through exposures like saying “hello” to a classmate or ordering food at a restaurant.
Panic Disorder: Sudden waves of panic and physical symptoms like a racing heart can be terrifying. ERP helps kids become more comfortable with these sensations through controlled exposure, reducing the fear of the panic itself.
Specific Phobias: From dogs to thunderstorms to the dark — ERP breaks down these fears into manageable steps, helping children overcome them without relying on avoidance.
Separation Anxiety: Kids who feel intense anxiety about being away from caregivers benefit from ERP by slowly practicing time apart in a safe, supportive way. Over time, they learn that they’re okay even when you’re not right there.
A Pathway to Confidence
ERP isn’t about forcing kids into overwhelming situations. It's about helping them face fears in a way that feels safe, supported, and doable. By facing fears rather than running from them, children not only reduce their anxiety, but also grow into more confident, capable versions of themselves. They learn they can handle their fears, combat feelings of nervousness, tolerate discomfort, and foster confidence.
Curious If ERP Could Help?
If your child is struggling with persistent fear, panic, or avoidance, ERP might be the solution.
At Healing Voices Psychotherapy, our therapist Ishara Ramroop provides CBT with ERP for children as a treatment method. If you are interested, you can book a free 15-minute consultation to help figure out if it’s a good fit. You’re not alone, and with the right support, your child can move through anxiety and start to thrive.
