Exposure therapy - anyone done this?

[loulou]

I have tried doing my own therapy at home before - ie not washing my hands for 5 days - i almost had a breakdown! it worked for a bit. Has anyone had exposure therapy with a professional with regards to sexually harming children? I have read that if you purposely think of a bad thought over and over it will eventually fade?

Any advice appreciated

[PolarBear]

Thinking of the thought is only half the battle. ERP is exposure and response prevention. The exposure is putting yourself in a situation that will trigger an obsession. The response prevention is not performing compulsions.

So you don't just think of an obsession. You have to make sure you're not performing compulsions after thinking the thought. That's the key.