Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard treatment for OCD. ERP involves safe and graded exposure to the thoughts, images, or situations that trigger obsessions (exposure) followed by intentionally making the choice not to engage in the compulsive behavior once the anxiety or obsession has been triggered (response prevention). Though it feels more challenging in the moment, abstaining from compulsive behaviors leads to a natural drop in anxiety over time. I pair this with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on reorienting behaviors to values-driven actions, even when distressed.