Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the most empirically supported treatment for OCD. It is a form of behavioral therapy that can be tailored to every type of OCD. ERP teaches OCD sufferers to face feared situations without engaging in avoidance or compulsions. Through exposure to anxiety-provoking situations, discomfort diminishes over time as new learning occurs. This process can be challenging initially but it is undertaken in a supportive and empathic environment.