The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

by Jon Hershfield MFT, Tom Corboy MFT, James Claiborn PhD, ABPP (Foreword by)

Overview

If you have obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD), you might have an irrational fear of being contaminated by germs, or obsessively double—check things. You may even feel like a prisoner, trapped with your intrusive thoughts. And while OCD can have a devastating impact on your life, getting real help can be a challenge.

Combining mindfulness practices with cognitive—behavioral therapy (CBT), The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD offers practical and accessible tools for managing the unwanted thoughts and compulsive urges that are associated with OCD. With this workbook, you will develop present—moment awareness, learn to challenge your own distorted thinking, and stop treating thoughts as threats and feelings as facts.

This fully revised and updated second edition also includes new meditations, information, and chapters on emotional and mental contamination, existential obsessions, false memories, and more.

If you’re ready to take back your life back from OCD—and start living with more joy in the moment—this workbook has everything you need to get started right away.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684035632
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	12/01/2020
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

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.


Tom Corboy, MFT, is executive director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, which he founded in 1999. He is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in MBCBT for the treatment of OCD and related anxiety—based conditions. In addition to his work with individual clients, he has trained and mentored many postgraduate interns, has presented at numerous conferences held by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and has facilitated weekly therapy groups for adults with OCD since 1997. You can find out more about him at www.ocdla.com.


James Claiborn, PhD, ABPP, is a psychologist in private practice specializing in OCD and related disorders. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and has presented internationally on OCD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and other topics.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Introduction 1

Part 1 Mindfulness and OCD

Chapter 1 The Brain, the Mind, and You 7

Chapter 2 Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy 27

Chapter 3 Mindfulness and Behavioral Therapy 39

Chapter 4 Mindfulness and Compulsions 55

Part 2 Mindfulness and CBT for Specific Obsessions

Chapter 5 Acceptance, Assessment, Action 75

Chapter 6 Contamination OCD 79

Chapter 7 Responsibility/Checking OCD 89

Chapter 8 Just Right OCD 97

Chapter 9 Harm OCD 105

Chapter 10 Sexual Orientation OCD (aka SO-OCD or HOCD) 115

Chapter 11 Pedophilia-Themed OCD (aka POCD) 125

Chapter 12 Relationship-Themed OCD (aka ROCD) 135

Chapter 13 Scrupulosity OCD (Religious and Moral Obsessions) 147

Chapter 14 Hyperawareness/Sensorimotor OCD 159

Chapter 15 Emotional/Mental Contamination OCD 167

Chapter 16 Existential OCD 175

Chapter 17 Real Event, False Memory, and Stuck Thought Obsessions 183

Part 3 Mindfulness, OCD, and You

Chapter 18 Sharing Your OCD Experience 195

Chapter 19 Mindfulness and Staying on Track 201

Chapter 20 Getting Help 209

References 213

Interviews

Hershfield resides in Hunt Valley, MD; Corboy resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Editorial Reviews

The authors have succeeded in providing a practical road map for people struggling with OCD to incorporate mindfulness into their CBT treatment. For many, this will be the addition that makes all the difference.”
—Diane Davey, RN, MBA, program director at the OCD Institute

Diane Davey

In the second edition, this indispensable resource for obsessive—compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers has been updated to integrate new research and information about applying evidence—based treatment to additional OCD symptom subtypes. The authors have retained threads of compassion and humor throughout, inviting the reader to engage with difficult treatment concepts while shrugging off some of the shame around the disorder itself. We are lucky to have these voices in our community.”
—Amy Mariaskin, PhD, clinical psychologist, founder and director of the Nashville OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center, and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University

Amy Mariaskin

Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy are the authorities when it comes to applying mindfulness and meditation strategies to managing OCD. This book, complete with valuable information and advice on the topic, is a must—read for clinicians and consumers looking to use this approach.”
—Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jonathan S. Abramowitz

The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is at the top of my list when it comes to OCD resources. This workbook provides extensive science—based tools and exercises to overcome OCD with the perfect degree of humor, kindness, and hope. The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD perfectly combines mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and is a must—read for people with OCD and OCD treatment providers.”
—Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, licensed marriage and family therapist; host of the Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast; and founder of www.cbtschool.com, an online psychoeducation resource for OCD

Kimberley Quinlan

Jon and Tom are two well—known OCD therapists because of their outreach and dedication to the OCD community. The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD has been a resource I have referred many people to over the last five years. I look forward to sharing this new edition with many more people affected by OCD.”
—Stuart Ralph, host of The OCD Stories podcast

Stuart Ralph

As someone who has benefitted greatly from both CBT and mindfulness practice, I am thrilled to see a book showcasing how powerful their pairing can be for those of us with OCD. The practical road map Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy provide here offers turn—by—turn directions to the one place OCD simply can’t survive: the present moment!”
—Jeff Bell, author of Rewind, Replay, Repeat

Jeff Bell

This is a brilliant book, and an excellent addition to the canon of self—help books for OCD. What is most exceptional about it is the thorough description of mindfulness and of its applications in the context of exposure and response prevention (ERP) across many subtypes of OCD, including how to address cognitive rituals. What a welcome addition—it will be a go—to book for my clients with OCD. I highly recommend it.”
—Lisa W. Coyne, PhD, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, founder and senior clinical consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents, and founder and director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety

Lisa W. Coyne

OCD wins by luring you into perils of the past or fears of the future. But you don’t have to fall prey to these tricks! The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is the definitive guide to harnessing the power of the present to triumph over OCD.”
—Shala Nicely, LPC, author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator?

Shala Nicely

You can mind your manners, mind your words, and be right—minded about many a thing. But, if you do not mind me saying, you will learn in this book how to not mind your OCD. The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD will be a great adjunct to your work with a therapist, online or app—based therapy tools, and support groups. The authors of this mind—blowing book have mined the data and the literature to remind us that mindfulness has a role in OCD treatment.”
—Patrick B. McGrath, PhD, head of clinical services for NOCD

Patrick B. McGrath

The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is a unique, must—have companion to enhance the standard application of ERP treatment for both therapists and individuals living with OCD. The authors’ compassion is evident throughout, and reflects a deep understanding of the suffering that OCD imposes every day. Chapter by chapter, the authors demystify the concepts of mindfulness in a very user—friendly manner. The workbook—style approach allows the reader to mindfully examine the ways in which OCD has formed its hold, and provides concrete exercises for loosening that hold and regaining a life and identity free from OCD. I am excited to recommend this book to my clients and colleagues alike.”
—Kathleen M. Rupertus, PsyD, clinician at The Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Delaware

Kathleen M. Rupertus

The authors have succeeded in providing a practical roadmap for people struggling with OCD to incorporate mindfulness into their CBT treatment. For many, this will be the addition that makes all the difference.”
—Diane Davey, RN, MBA, program director, OCD Institute




“The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is a unique must-have companion to enhance the standard application of ERP treatment for both therapists and individuals living with OCD. The authors’ compassion is evident throughout, and reflects a deep understanding of the suffering that OCD imposes every day. Chapter by chapter, the authors demystify the concepts of mindfulness in a very user-friendly manner. The workbook-style approach allows the reader to mindfully examine the ways in which OCD has formed its hold, and provides concrete exercises for loosening that hold and regaining a life and identity free from OCD. I am excited to recommend this book to my clients and colleagues alike.”         
—Kathleen M. Rupertus, PsyD, clinician, The Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center, Delaware



“As someone who has benefitted greatly from both cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practice, I am thrilled to see a book showcasing how powerful their pairing can be for those of us with OCD.  The practical roadmap Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy provide here offers turn-by-turn directions to the one place OCD simply can't survive: the present moment!”
—Jeff Bell, author of Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of OCD


“A valuable addition to the self-help library of all OCD sufferers, as well as those who treat OCD! The book presents state-of-the art information for incorporating very effective mindfulness techniques into effective OCD treatment.”
—Lee Baer, PhD, author of Getting Control and The Imp of the Mind, and clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School



“The concept of mindfulness is proving to be an increasingly important concept in dealing with a number of disorders, and this book ably extends it to OCD. It presents a concise and practical approach to this topic, with straightforward easy-to-follow instructions. The skills readers will gain from learning to be fully in the present moment and accepting what is occurring there will surely add a great deal to their efforts at overcoming what is a confusing and painful disorder.”
—Fred Penzel, PhD, psychologist and executive director at Western Suffolk Psychological Services, Huntington, NY



“Although mindfulness plays a critical role in coping with the uncertainties of OCD, practical how-to help for sufferers and clinicians wasn't there. Hershfield and Corboy's workbook masterfully fills this void with details of how to employ mindfulness techniques for all the different ways OCD manifests itself.”
—Jonathan Grayson, PhD, director of the Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center of Philadelphia



“This is a wonderful and very well-written book, full of lively and helpful examples. It will be a huge help to those with OCD and related illnesses. The book gives very useful and practical tools to manage the symptoms of OCD. This is a major contribution that will help patients immensely.”
—Michael A. Jenike, MD, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School



“This is the most comprehensive, straight forward, easy-to-follow treatment manual combining CBT and mindfulness-based techniques. For those who may not have access to treatment providers, The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD will be an excellent resource to help guide and navigate how to overcome their obsessions and compulsions in a succinct, clear manner. By far, the best addition to my resource library and referral list.”
—Robin Zasio, PsyD, LCSW, author of The Hoarder in You and featured doctor on the television show, Hoarders

From the Publisher