An outcome study of an intensive, out-patient exposure and response prevention therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder

Abstract

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the first-line psychological treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent research shows that the Bergen 4-day Treatment (B4DT), which is a concentrated ERP program, can be very effective. However, this intensive format has not been widely implemented, and it is unclear whether positive outcomes are unique to B4DT, or whether a similar intensive ERP program (not based on B4DT) is equally effective. We examined short- and long-term outcomes of the Melbourne Intensive Treatment-OCD (MIT-O) program, an out-patient intensive ERP program for OCD involving an intensive phase of four full-day sessions conducted over two weeks, and a supportive ..