The Body-Based Obsessions Workbook: CBT Skills to Manage Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts About Your Body and Brain

by Molly Bradley Schiffer LCPC, Jon Hershfield MFT (Foreword by)

Overview

Evidence—based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and self—compassion skills to help you break free from obsessions about your body and mind.

If you have anxiety or obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD), you may also struggle with body—based obsessions—constant fears and worries about your physical and mental health. You may worry that your heart will stop beating, or that you’ll stop breathing. You might obsess over your physical appearance, feel like there’s something physically wrong with your brain, or fear that you are “going crazy.” Over time, these obsessions can become debilitating, and dramatically impair your quality of life. So, how can you break free from anxiety and obsessions about your body and brain?

Drawing on a combination of evidence—based CBT, exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), mindfulness, and compassion—focused therapy, The Body—Based Obsessions Workbook offers powerful skills to help you manage intrusive thoughts and obsessions, and take back your life. You’ll learn the difference between body—based obsessions and other disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder or health anxiety, and find practical tools to manage your worst symptoms—such as rumination, constant checking or monitoring of your breathing or heart rate, or fears about your mental health.

If you struggle with intense, intrusive thoughts about your body and brain, you’re not alone—and there is help. This workbook will teach you proven—effective skills to overcome your obsessions, so you can experience lasting peace and comfort in your own body.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648484568
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	08/01/2025
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Molly Bradley Schiffer, LCPC, is associate director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety—Sheppard Pratt’s private, outpatient treatment center for individuals experiencing obsessive—compulsive and anxiety disorders. Prior to joining The Center for OCD and Anxiety, Schiffer specialized in the treatment of obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders at the OCD and Anxiety Center of Greater Baltimore, where she designed and administered the center’s psychoeducational support group for family members of OCD sufferers, and led the center’s cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group for adults with OCD. Schiffer’s pre— and postgraduate work included experience at Thrive Behavioral Health and Catholic Charities of Harford County. She earned her MS in applied psychology with a concentration in counseling psychology from the University of Baltimore. Schiffer is an active member of the International OCD Foundation and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, and has presented at national conferences on OCD—related topics.

Jon Hershfield, MFT, is director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, MD. He specializes in the use of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. Jon is a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation, and is on the faculty of their Behavioral Therapy Training Institute. He is author of Overcoming Harm OCD, When a Family Member Has OCD, and The OCD Workbook for Teens; and coauthor of The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD and Everyday Mindfulness for OCD.

Editorial Reviews

If you are anxiously preoccupied with any part of your mind or body, you probably struggle with a combination of frustration, self—criticism, and failed fix—it attempts. The wonderful news is that Molly Bradley Schiffer has designed a complete blueprint of healing strategies, from start to finish. She will guide you through positive principles and powerful tactics that offer you the chance for lasting change. This book is truly an impressive accomplishment, with techniques that are found nowhere else.” 
—Reid Wilson, PhD, author of Stopping the Noise in Your Head

Reid Wilson

Molly has filled a notable gap in the literature by providing an easy—to—read, self—guided approach to addressing body—based obsessional distress. The text covers an array of body—based concerns, and incorporates the latest in evidence—based therapeutic approaches. This well—written book is ideally suited to help the reader make progress in improving their body—based obsessions.” 
—Eric A. Storch, PhD, professor and McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine

Eric A. Storch

Just when I think all of the great books have been written in our field, Molly Bradley Schiffer brings forth a new one to prove me wrong! The in—depth review of how our bodies respond to our inner and outer world will shed new light on therapy moving forward. Thank you for this incredible resource that will help people to know that they are not alone in how they suffer from anxiety and obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD)—it is about the body, too!” 
—Patrick B. McGrath, PhD, chief clinical officer of NOCD, and author of The OCD Answer Book

Patrick B. McGrath

If you’d like to stop feeling like your body is the enemy, this one—of—a—kind book is for you! Molly Bradley Schiffer gives you a step—by—step plan for changing your relationship with your body—its sensations, processes, imperfections, and more—so you can turn your attention outward, instead of inward, to create the life you want to live.” 
—Shala Nicely, author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life

Shala Nicely

The Body—Based Obsessions Workbook is a compassionate, authentic, and best—practices guide, teaching body—obsessed anxiety warriors how to make peace with bizarre and intrusive thoughts—from heartbeat hyperawareness to nose symmetry distress. Schiffer incorporates research—backed strategies, along with doses of humor and disclosures, empowering the reader to replace gut—wrenching compulsions with heartwarming and unconditional love of our bodies—from head to toe—making the space to pursue a kinder, more self—affirming life.” 
—Josh Spitalnick, PhD, ABPP, owner and CEO of Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, coauthor of The Complete Guide to Overcoming Health Anxiety, and codeveloper of www.overcominghealthanxiety.com

Josh Spitalnick

Written with warmth and clarity, this book is a comprehensive resource for people whose anxiety focuses on their body. The author provides tools to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, as well as motivation to reconnect with the areas of their lives they deem most important. Schiffer’s use of personal disclosure also serves to model self—compassion as she joins readers in navigating these difficult but surmountable symptoms.” 
—Amy Mariaskin, PhD, director of the Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center, and author of Thriving in Relationships When You Have OCD

Amy Mariaskin

Schiffer explores, with deep compassion, anxieties that rest on a vigilant and hyper—responsible relationship to body and brain. With written exercises to slow down and observe how you think and behave, she helps you to stop mental and physical maneuvers that backfire and reinforce anxiety. She explains how you got so tied up. There are excellent sections on preoccupations about the mind, sanity and mood, and on torturous sensorimotor hyperawareness.” 

—Sally Winston, coauthor of Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, Needing to Know for Sure, and Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety

Sally Winston

Molly Bradley Schiffer’s thoughtful approach meets the reader in the isolation from body—based obsessions in a profound and meaningful way. As I worked through her book, I felt I had a supporter, mentor, and cheerleader walking alongside me—empathetically assuring me that I was not alone. Her experience combined with therapeutic expertise intersects her ability to guide the reader beyond symptoms by exploring the connection to beliefs, body, and environment while simultaneously reducing the shame and providing hope that relief and recovery is possible.” 
—Chrissie Hodges, certified peer—support specialist, author of Pure OCD, and executive director of OCD Gamechangers

Chrissie Hodges

Combining empirically based principles and a warm, approachable style, The Body—Based Obsessions Workbook expertly guides readers through practical strategies for challenging and overcoming body—based obsessions. Molly Bradley Schiffer’s openness and clinical expertise provide insight and comfort along the way, instilling hope for anyone struggling with body—based obsessions.” 
—Nathaniel Van Kirk, PhD, director of psychological services at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital, instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, and president of OCD Massachusetts

Nathaniel Van Kirk