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The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) Paperback – December 1, 2020
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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.
- Part of series A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook
- Print length 232 pages
- Language English
- Publisher New Harbinger Publications
- Publication date December 1, 2020
- Dimensions 8 x 0.51 x 10 inches
- ISBN-10 1684035635
- ISBN-13 978-1684035632
- See all details

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- Publisher : New Harbinger Publications; Second edition (December 1, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 232 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1684035635
- ISBN-13 : 978-1684035632
- Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
- Dimensions : 8 x 0.51 x 10 inches
- #1 in Compulsive Behavior (Books)
- #5 in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- #30 in Anxiety Disorders (Books)
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About the author
Jon hershfield mft.
Jon Hershfield, MFT, is the director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, MD. He specializes in the mindfulness-based and cognitive behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders. Hershfield is coauthor of the books Everyday Mindfulness For OCD and The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD and is the author of When a Family Member Has OCD, Overcoming Harm OCD, and The OCD Workbook for Teens. He is a frequent presenter at the annual conferences of both the International OCD Foundation and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
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The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Paperback (Second Edition)
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Product details, about the author, table of contents.
- Interviews & Essays
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
Hershfield resides in Hunt Valley, MD; Corboy resides in Los Angeles, CA.
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- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Anxiety, Phobias, and OCD
The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD
Second Edition
A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
by Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy
Foreword by James Claiborn
Published by: New Harbinger Publications
Imprint: New Harbinger Publications
232 Pages , 8.00 x 10.00 x 0.51 in
- 9781684035632
- Published: December 2020
- eBooks (ePub, PDF)
- 9781684035656
$19.55 $13.99
- Description
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.
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. He is author of Overcoming Harm OCD , When a Family Member Has OCD , and The OCD Workbook for Teens , and coauthor of 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. Foreword writer J ames 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.
“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, PhD
“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
“ 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, LMFT
“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, PhD
“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, PhD
“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, PhD
“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, LPC
“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, RN, MBA
“ 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, PsyD
“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
- Choosing Therapy: 10 Best OCD Books For 2021
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Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD: Veale, 2004)

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Intolerance Of Uncertainty (Hebert, Dugas, 2019)

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What Keeps Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Going?

Your Stone Age Brain
- Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI) download archived copy
- Self Report Version link to the International OCD Foundation archived version of IOCDF.org
- Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI) download scoring grid
- Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (ROCI) download archived copy
- Partner Related Obsessive Compulsive Symptom Inventory download archived copy
- Cosmetic Procedure Screening (COPS) download archived copy
- Body Image Questionnaire (BIQ) download archived copy
- Danesh, M, Beroukhim, K., Nguyen, C., Levin, E., & Koo, J. (2015). Body dysmorphic disorder screening tools for the dermatologist: A systematic review. Pract Dermatol , 2 , 44-49. download archived copy
Intervention
Treatment guides.
- NICE guidelines for OCD and BDD (November 2005) download
- Treatment of patients with OCD (APA guidelines, 2007) download
- Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders (2014) download archived copy
- A psychological perspective on hoarding – DCP good practice guidelines download archived copy
- Treatment manual for OCD download
- OCD information booklet download archived copy
- What you need to know about OCD download archived copy
- OCD UK Support organisation for sufferers in the UK
- Helpforhoarders.co.uk
- Compulsive-hoarding.org has lots of information about hoarding
- IntrusiveThoughts.org
Exercises, Worksheets & Workbooks
- Self-help ERP exercises download archived copy
- OCD identification and self-help download
- Assessment and treatment of relationship-related OCD symptoms download archived copy
Self-Help Programmes
Caring less about your looks.
- The impact of appearance overconcern download archived copy
- What keeps appearance concerns going download archived copy
- Appearance focused attention download archived copy
- Body checking and reassurance seeking download archived copy
- Appearance altering behaviors download archived copy
- Avoidance and safety behaviors download archived copy
- Overvaluing appearance and self-management planning download archived copy
Overcoming body dysmorphia
- Understanding body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) download
- What keeps BDD going? download
- Reducing appearance preoccupation download
- Reducing checking and reassurance seeking download
- Overcoming negative predictions, avoidance, and safety behaviours download
- Adjusting appearance assumptions download
- Self-managment planning download
Presentations
- New directions in implementing exposure and response prevention: an inhibitory learning perspective – workshop presented by Jonathan Abramowitz in 2018 download archived copy
- Cognitive Therapy for Contamination-Related OCD: ERP and Beyond – Workshop presented by Adam Radomsky in 2011 download archived copy
- Interoceptive exposure: an underused weapon in the arsenal against obsessions and compulsions – workshop presented by Jonathan Abramowitz in 2018 download archived copy
- Family affair: involving a partner or spouse in exposure and response prevention for OCD – workshop presented by Jonathan Abramowitz in 2018 download archived copy
- A couple-based approach to CBT for BDD – workshop by Lillian Reuman and Jonathan Abramowitz in 2016 download archived copy
- Body dysmorphic disorder | David Veale | 2017 download archived copy
Recommended Reading
- Clark, D. A., & Rhyno, S. (2005). Unwanted intrusive thoughts in nonclinical individuals. Intrusive thoughts in clinical disorders: Theory, research, and treatment , 1-29 download archived copy
- Doron, G., & Derby, D. (2015). Assessment and treatment of relationship-related OCD symptoms (ROCD): a modular approach. Handbook of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder across the Lifespan. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley (Forthcoming) . download archived copy
- Gillihan, S., Williams, M. T., Malcoun, E., Yadin, E., Foa, E. B. (2012) Common pitfalls in exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) for OCD. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders , 1, 251-257 download
- Rachman, S. (1997). A cognitive theory of obsessions. Behaviour Research and Therapy , 35(9), 793-802 download archived copy
- Mataix-Cols, D., et al (2010). Hoarding disorder: A new diagnosis for DSM-V? Depression and Anxiety , 27, 556-572. download archived copy
- Salkovskis, P. (1999). Psychological treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy , 37, S37-S52 download archived copy
- Salkovskis, P. M. (2007). Psychological treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Psychiatry , 6 (6), 229-233 download archived copy
- Veale, D. (2007). Cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment . 13, 438-446 download archived copy
- Veale, D., Freeston, M., Krebs, G., Heyman, I., & Salkovskis, P. (2009). Risk assessment and management in obsessive–compulsive disorder. Advances in psychiatric treatment , 15 (5), 332-343. download archived copy
- Danesh, M., Beroukhim, K., Nguyen, C., Levin, E., & Koo, J. (2015). Body dysmorphic disorder screening tools for the dermatologist: A systematic review. Pract Dermatol , 2 , 44-49. download archived copy
- Krebs, G., de la Cruz, L. F., & Mataix-Cols, D. (2017). Recent advances in understanding and managing body dysmorphic disorder. Evidence-Based Mental Health , 20 (3), 71-75. download archived copy
- Veale, D. (2004). Advances in a cognitive behavioural model of body dysmorphic disorder. Body Image ,1, 113-125 download archived copy
- Veale, D. (2001). Cognitive-behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment , 7, 125-132 download archived copy
What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Signs and symptoms of ocd.
People with OCD experience obsessional thoughts, images, urges, and doubts. They often feel compelled to act or think in certain ways.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts—thoughts that are unwanted and unacceptable, and which pop into our minds unbidden. Obsessions can be thoughts in the form of words, but also of images (pictures in our minds), urges or impulses, or feelings of doubt. Obsessive thoughts are experienced as unacceptable, disgusting, or senseless, and people with OCD find it hard not to pay attention to them. Examples of obsessions include:
- thoughts such as ‘My hands have been contaminated with germs’ or ‘Perhaps I am a pedophile’
- images of my family being murdered
- doubts such as ‘Have I left the stove on?’
- urges such as wanting to shout profanities
Compulsions follow from the way in which the individual interprets the intrusive thoughts. Compulsions are the reactions or mental actions that a person does in order to neutralize or ‘make safe’ following an obsession. People with OCD typically carry out compulsions in order to prevent a harm from happening for which they might be responsible, and/or to reduce any strong emotion which they feel. Exactly what someone with OCD may feel compelled to do will depend upon the meaning their intrusions have for them. Examples of compulsions might include:
- carefully washing food after having an intrusive thought about germs;
- calling family members to check they are OK after having an intrusive image about their deaths;
- going back to the house to check after doubting whether the stove was turned off;
- avoiding a public place after having an urge to shout profanities.
Prevalence of OCD
The lifetime prevalence rate of OCD in the United States is estimated to be 2.3% in adults (Kessler et al., 2005), and 1% to 2.3% in children and adolescents (Zohar, 1999).
Psychological Models and Theory of OCD
The cognitive behavioral theory of OCD proposes that when someone experiences an intrusive thought it is the appraisal—what they make of having the thought—that is most important (Salkovskis, Forrester, & Richards, 1998). Intrusive thoughts, even very unpleasant ones, are common and entirely normal . What seems to happen in OCD is that the fact of having intrusive thoughts is interpreted as being especially significant and, as a result, is especially anxiety-provoking. People with OCD are more likely to feel especially responsible for any potential harms and may feel especially strong emotion should they have intrusive thoughts about harm occurring. Compulsions are understood to be an active attempt to reduce harm. According to the cognitive model of OCD targets for intervention include:
- understanding and addressing the meaning of the intrusions;
- targeting compulsions and safety-seeking behaviors;
- modifying attentional biases.
Evidence-Based Psychological Approaches for Working with OCD
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychological treatment for OCD. Historically, CBT for OCD has involved the behavioral approach of exposure with response prevention (ERP). More cognitive approaches within CBT attempt to understand the patient’s appraisal of their intrusions and to find ways of exploring the validity and consequences of these appraisals.
Resources for Working with OCD
Psychology Tools resources available for working therapeutically with OCD may include:
- psychological models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- information handouts for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- exercises for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- CBT worksheets for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- self-help programs for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry , 62 (6), 593–602.
- Salkovskis, P. M., Forrester, E., & Richards, C. (1998). Cognitive–behavioral approach to understanding obsessional thinking. The British Journal of Psychiatry , 173 (S35), 53–63.
- Zohar, A. H. (1999). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America , 8 (3), 445–460.
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The mindfulness workbook for ocd.

Despite the fact that OCD can have a devastating impact on a person’s life, getting effective help can be a challenge. Studies have found that the average person with OCD suffers over 14 years before finding effective treatment.
Yet, research has repeatedly and consistently found Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be incredibly effective for OCD. Furthermore, over the past 15 years, developments in the field of psychology have led to new, even more effective treatments that integrate CBT with traditional principles of “mindfulness”.
This so-call “third wave” of Mindfulness-Based CBT (MBCBT) includes techniques and strategies that have been proven to be particularly effective in treating the unwanted thoughts, feelings, and sensations that are at the heart of OCD and related anxiety disorders.
The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is the first book to focus exclusively on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of OCD. Using a workbook format, it provides readers with easy-to-implement tools and techniques to conquer their OCD. This landmark book covers all major sub-types of OCD, including:
- Contamination OCD
- Gay OCD / HOCD
- Pedophile OCD
- Relationship OCD
- Scrupulosity (Religious OCD)
- Sensorimotor OCD
If you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or if you are a mental health provider who treats those with OCD, The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD will provide you with valuable insights and practical, concrete tools to defeat OCD.
You can click here to read an excerpt of the book that discusses Relationship OCD (ROCD), a relatively unknown form of OCD that doesn’t often get discussed in the media. You can read about the book on Amazon as well.
What People are Saying About the Mindfulness Workbook
“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 , clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School, and author of Getting Control and The Imp of the Mind
“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, and author of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: A Complete Guide to Getting Well and Staying Well
“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, and author of Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
“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 , Chairman of the International OCD Foundation Scientific Advisory Panel, Founder of the OCD Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital, and 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
“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 of Delaware, and author of Loving Someone with OCD: Help For You and Your Family
Jon Hershfield, MFT , is a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders using mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MBCBT). He is also the associate director of the UCLA Child OCD Intensive Outpatient Program at Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, moderator of a popular online discussion board devoted to fostering a better understanding of OCD with primarily mental rituals, a professional contributor to multiple online OCD forums, and a frequent presenter at the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation’s annual conference.
Tom Corboy, MFT , is the Executive Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, which he founded in 1999. He is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of OCD and related anxiety-based conditions. He received his master’s degree from the Department of Counseling Psychology at USC in 1993, where his graduate thesis was a study comparing various treatments of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Since then, much of his training and clinical work has been focused on the treatment of OCD and related OC Spectrum Disorders. In addition to his work with individual clients, he has trained and mentored many post-graduate 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.
About the OCD Center of Los Angeles
The OCD Center of Los Angeles is a private outpatient treatment center specializing in Mindfulness Based CBT for the treatment of OCD and related conditions. We have 14 therapists on staff, all of whom are either licensed or registered, and all of whom specialize in Mindfulness Based CBT. We treat adults, adolescents, and children, and offer services six days a week, including evenings and Saturdays.
We have offices at three locations in Southern California:
- Los Angeles – Brentwood
- San Fernando Valley – Woodland Hills
- Orange County – Newport Beach
If you would like more information about Mindfulness Based CBT , or would like to discuss treatment options at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, please call one of our client coordinators at (310) 824-5200 (ext. 4) , or click here to email us .
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The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Jon hershfield , tom corboy , james claiborn ( foreword ).
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
About the author

Jon Hershfield
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Free from OCD. A Workbook for Teens with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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Image: The OCD Workbook for Teens by Len Lantz ( CC BY-NC-ND )
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 10 out of 10. An excellent, engaging self-help workbook on research-proven strategies for combatting OCD.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD , author of unJoy / 7.3.2021; No. 39
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a physician, but I’m not your doctor and this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This article is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your physician before you rely on this information. This post also contains affiliate links. Please click this LINK for the full disclaimer.
Star Rating – 10 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Jon Hershfield
About the author
Jon Hershfield, MFT, is a psychotherapist and the Director of The Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt. He has written several books and workbooks on OCD.
General description
The OCD Workbook for Teens is a self-help workbook for youth on implementing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies to reduce obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. The author is an expert in treating OCD and he draws upon proven, researched-based strategies for his workbook. He provides background on the condition of OCD, yet he encourages the reader to immediately participate with the text with exercises starting in the first chapter. The workbook is designed to be worked through at a pace that allows the reader to think over what they read, write down thoughts, emotions and examples from their own lives and practice using the strategies shared in each chapter. Topics covered in this book include:
Explaining intrusive thoughts and compulsions
Providing an overview of mindfulness approaches and a rationale for using them
Sharing the powerful approach of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in a way that makes it seems doable rather than intimidating

Unique and most important aspects
The OCD Workbook for Teens is a well-written, nicely structured workbook with many strategies to combat OCD. The workbook is short (a little over 100 pages). I’m often conflicted over whether a short workbook is better or not. Certainly, shorter workbooks are less intimidating to a reader and force the author to be more concise, however, longer workbooks convey the idea that they are more thorough. I believe that Jon Hershfield did a fantastic job with this workbook by making it brief and thorough in covering important CBT and mindfulness strategies for combatting OCD. Jon Hershfield accurately describes the battle that people with OCD face in dealing with unwanted thoughts and behaviors. He is an entertaining and engaging writer and his explanations of complex ideas make sense and resonate truthfully. His examples and stories make it clear that he is an expert in OCD and skilled in helping kids and families who struggle with the condition. He even included his own experience with OCD, which adds to his credibility and helps decrease stigma. I believe that the art provided by Sean Shinnock at the end of each chapter adds to reader engagement and it felt like a reward every time I finished a chapter. Important features of this workbook include:
Explaining the strategy of Not Knowing as a tool for dealing with OCD
Addressing shame and stigma that teens experience with their OCD
Outlining the importance of self-care and self-compassion
Including a chapter for family/parents so they help combat – not feed – the OCD
Listing a URL to download exercises/forms from the book for additional practice
Best quotes
“Intrusive thoughts don’t happen because you did something wrong or because you’re some kind of messed-up person. They’re actually a normal part of the human experience. Everyone has intrusive thoughts. People with OCD are more likely to view their intrusive thoughts as problematic and feel like they have a responsibility to do something about them.”
“Thoughts are just words or images that pop up in our heads. Understanding the difference between thinking (a behavior) and having thoughts (an experience) is a big part of understanding OCD and how to overcome it.”
“It’s unlikely you will have made it this far in this workbook without at least sorta kinda knowing your unwanted thoughts are about as reliably true as an old man’s Twitter rant.”
“You’ve never had an unwanted thought that wasn’t shared by someone somewhere at some time. And you are never without a path to OCD mastery.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Teens, therapists and parents of teens who are looking for an enjoyable, evidence-based workbook focused primarily on CBT and mindfulness strategies to combat OCD would likely enjoy The OCD Workbook for Teens.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Someone interested in a self-help book (rather than a workbook) that goes into greater depth on CBT theory and strategies is unlikely to enjoy The OCD Workbook for Teens .
The OCD Workbook for Teens is an excellent, engaging self-help workbook on research-proven strategies for combatting OCD.
Buy this book


IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Combining mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD offers practical and accessible tools for managing the
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
Combining mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD offers practical and accessible
Combining mindfulness practices with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD offers practical and accessible tools for managing
Director, OCD Program, Massachusetts General Hospital ... CBT FOR OCD: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF ... Workbook for Taking Back Your Life.
Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD: ... Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Childhood OCD: It's Only a False Alarm: Workbook.
The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD is the first book to focus exclusively on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of OCD.
He specializes in the mindfulness-based and cognitive behavioral treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hershfield is coauthor of the books
378 Pages·2010·4.27 MB·27,466 Downloads·New! If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), chances are that your persistent obsessive thoughts and time-
The OCD Workbook for Teens is a self-help workbook for youth on implementing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies