My Therapist says that first I must not analyze my thoughts and then start erp is this truth?

Yes ...But therapist should explain you why and how

Actually, what I feel is that you first do ERP and once comfortable with the trigger, you then get capable to ignore the content of the thought and not analyse it but move on !

I am pretty sure that we are correct ...so you can change the therapist or discuss with him about how you think you will be comfortable with this order.

Hmm ...I can feel you ...So, for now, try the order of your therapist and there are chances that his order may also work and if it doesn't then at that time, you can suggest him that inverting the order is helping you better which may compel him to listen to you after a few failed attempts !

zilen, during my teraphy I had similar order. I strated with training how to not get cought by flood of thoughts and analizing. I was learning to notice the thought but not follow them. In result when I moved on to erp excercises it was easier to stay in reality. It worked pretty well in my case.

You should start ERP from the beginning without preconditions.

Call around and ask if they treat OCD by starting ERP right away. There's no reason at all to delay doing ERP.

@Zilen ...My therapist did REBT/CBT/ERP

If your therapist doesn't want you to start ERP after over a year, that isn't proper treatment.

I have used ERP and have improved dramatically. From completely debilitated to very manageable.

Yep. It's possible it's known as pure o

What is referred to as "Pure O" almost always involves mental compulsions or reassurance seeking compulsions.

he says this is the right order

That's what I think. I do nt know what to do.. :(

If the therapist is too stubborn and not considering this order then it would be better to change the therapist !

I talked about it but I think it's hard for me to change after so long and find someone to talk again from the beginning :(

You can really practice both at the same time. Not analysing the content of obsessions is a skill to practice on an ongoing basis for decreasing the power of your obsessions and ERP is necessary for eliminating/reducing obsessions and compulsions. It sounds like your therapist understands treating OCD so I wouldn't ditch them. It can be hard enough to find a therapist trained in ERP.

Τhank you both for the answers :) @paigo I hope he works for me even though it is difficult for me not to analyze my thoughts @vins you have done erp??

@David Ben I do almost a year CBT but not erp yet!!

What do you think I would find another therapist?

Where do you live? And do you pay out of pocket or need someone covered by insurance?

In Greece and I pay οf my pocket :(

Are there other therapists in your area that do ERP?

There are many who say they do it, just as my own therapist says.. Im not sure

@guys - please do not advise zilen or anyone to change or leave theraphy, it is against the rules here. especially when the plan prepared by her therapist doesn't seem to be bad. @zilen - please talk with you therapist again, tell him about your doubts and that you would like to learn more about the process. I believe he will explain it to you or at least he should be able to recommend you soome books to work with between the sesions to help you understand better what is going on.

Thanks so much for the advice:) I'll be looking to find someone else..

@paigo Thanks for the interest there is no problem maybe guys are right because a year now did not make me erp and not suggest me any books.. just telling me not to analyze my thoughts .. :(

@vins what is REBT? @David I believe too..

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy ....it was the first of its kind followed by CBT and ERP in succeeding years

I have not heard it in Greece.!!! Guys With erp you have seen results you are better now??

I'm very glad to hear it:) I do not many compulsive only thoughts

Yes and I think it's worse than other compulsive ones like washing hands, erp works in pure o?