ERP Therapy for OCD in Children & Teens in Calgary

Evidence-Based OCD Support — Delivered with Care, Collaboration, and Compassion

When a child has OCD, it can quietly take over daily life.
What often looks like “behaviour” is actually fear — fear that feels urgent, intense, and hard to explain.

Parents may notice repeated questions, rituals, avoidance, or distress that seems out of proportion to the situation. Over time, families can feel stuck, exhausted, and unsure how to help.

At Creative Sky Psychology, we offer Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) — the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD — delivered in a way that is developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and parent-supported.

Book now

What Is Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)?

ERP is a specialized therapy approach designed specifically to treat OCD.

Rather than trying to make intrusive thoughts go away, ERP helps children and teens learn how to respond differently to them. Through gradual, supported practice, children learn that anxiety can rise and fall on its own — without needing rituals, avoidance, or reassurance.

Over time, this breaks the OCD cycle and helps children feel more confident and in control.

Understanding the OCD Cycle

OCD is maintained by a predictable pattern:

  • An intrusive thought, image, or fear appears

  • Anxiety increases

  • A ritual, avoidance, or reassurance-seeking behaviour is used

  • Temporary relief reinforces OCD

ERP gently interrupts this cycle by helping children face fears without engaging in compulsions, allowing the brain to learn that feared outcomes are unlikely — or manageable even when discomfort is present.

This learning happens gradually, not all at once.

What ERP Looks Like at Creative Sky Psychology

ERP should never feel harsh or overwhelming — especially for children.

At Creative Sky, ERP is:

  • Carefully paced and collaborative

  • Tailored to your child’s age and development

  • Grounded in trust and emotional safety

  • Adapted using play, creativity, and child-friendly language when appropriate

Therapy often begins with helping children understand OCD in a way that feels empowering rather than scary. From there, the psychologist and child work together to create a gentle exposure plan that builds confidence step by step.

ERP may involve real-life practice, games, stories, drawings, or challenges, depending on the child’s age and needs.

The Role of Parents in ERP

Parent involvement is a crucial part of effective OCD treatment.

At Creative Sky, parents are supported in learning how to:

  • Reduce reassurance and accommodation in supportive ways

  • Respond calmly during moments of distress

  • Encourage bravery without pressure

  • Avoid unintentionally reinforcing OCD patterns

This guidance helps therapy progress outside of sessions and reduces family stress over time. ERP is often supported alongside Parent Counselling to ensure parents feel confident and supported throughout the process.

ERP for Anxiety, Phobias, and Avoidance

While ERP is best known as the treatment of choice for OCD, exposure-based strategies can also help with:

  • Specific phobias

  • Fear-based avoidance

  • Certain anxiety patterns

Our psychologists carefully assess whether ERP is the right fit and adapt the approach to each child’s needs.

A Child-Centred, Trauma-Informed Approach

Children with OCD are not being difficult — they are responding to intense fear.

Our approach to ERP is:

  • Compassionate and validating

  • Trauma-informed and regulation-aware

  • Sensitive to sensory needs and neurodivergence

  • Built on a strong therapeutic relationship

We move at your child’s pace while still keeping therapy effective and goal-oriented.

How ERP Fits With Other Therapy Approaches

ERP is rarely used in isolation. At Creative Sky, it is often integrated with:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Narrative therapy to separate the child from OCD

  • Emotion regulation and coping skills

  • Parent coaching and education

You can learn more about how we integrate approaches on our Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches page.

Is ERP Right for My Child?

ERP may be a good fit if your child:

  • Feels stuck in repetitive thoughts or rituals

  • Seeks constant reassurance

  • Avoids everyday situations due to fear

  • Wants help but feels trapped by anxiety

If you’re unsure, our team can help assess fit and guide next steps.

Getting Started with ERP for OCD in Calgary

ERP at Creative Sky Psychology is provided by psychologists with experience and training in child and teen OCD treatment.

We work closely with families to ensure therapy feels:

  • Clear and structured

  • Supportive rather than overwhelming

  • Hopeful and confidence-building

You may also want to explore:

Or reach out to book a consultation and take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

  • Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) is considered the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for OCD in children and teens. It is the most well-researched and effective approach for reducing obsessions, compulsions, and anxiety.

  • Yes. When delivered by trained child psychologists, ERP is safe, structured, and carefully paced. At Creative Sky Psychology, ERP is never forced or overwhelming and always prioritizes emotional safety.

  • ERP involves short-term increases in anxiety during exposures, but this is temporary and intentional. Over time, children learn that anxiety naturally decreases without rituals or reassurance, leading to long-term relief.

  • ERP for children is adapted using play, games, stories, visual tools, and child-friendly language. Exposures are gradual and collaborative, helping children feel capable rather than pressured.

  • Parent involvement is essential. Parents learn how to reduce reassurance and accommodation, support exposures at home, and respond calmly during distress. Parent guidance is often supported through Parent Counselling.

  • Many families notice improvements within the first few months of consistent ERP, though timelines vary depending on severity, consistency of practice, and family support.

  • psychologist will assess whether ERP is the right fit for your child’s needs.

  • ERP may be a good fit if your child feels stuck in repetitive thoughts or rituals, avoids situations due to fear, or relies heavily on reassurance. Our team can help assess fit during an initial consultation.