Cognitive Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Guide for Professionals

by Aaron T. Beck, Gail Steketee

A Cognitive Approach to Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Based on research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, this manual presents for the first time a purely cognitive approach to treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This approach avoids the highly distressing exposure component of exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) that is commonly used to treat the symptoms of OCD. Not only does this cognitive therapy (CT) approach open up the option of psychotherapy to those OCD sufferers who resist exposure-based therapy, it also holds great promise for treating OCD sufferers with mental rituals as well as those who struggle concurrently with depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. The strategies described in this book focus intensively on the intrusive thoughts that can trigger negative beliefs and drive compulsive behaviors. The manual begins with a brief review of current facts about OCD. Then it describes how cognitive therapy can be applied to OCD. The several treatment modules that follow outline a brief three-to-four session approach therapists can use to help clients make real progress on their OCD beliefs and behavioral symptoms. Each module is complemented by a series of client worksheets and handouts. This purely cognitive approach to OCD offers a number of benefits •CT avoids the discomfort of prolonged exposure and response prevention (ERP)
•The therapy can be conducted entirely in the therapist's office
•CT is especially useful for patients with mental rituals and neutralizing strategies
•The treatment is based on NIMH-funded research and is empirically supported

Genres: Psychology

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

About the author

Aaron Temkin Beck was an American psychiatrist who was a professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He is regarded as the father of cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). His pioneering methods are widely used in the treatment of clinical depression and various anxiety disorders. Beck also developed self-report measures for depression and anxiety, notably the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which became one of the most widely used instruments for measuring the severity of depression. In 1994 he and his daughter, psychologist Judith S. Beck, founded the nonprofit Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which provides CBT treatment and training, as well as research. Beck served as President Emeritus of the organization up until his death.
Beck was noted for his writings on psychotherapy, psychopathology, suicide, and psychometrics. He published more than 600 professional journal articles, and authored or co-authored 25 books. He was named one of the "Americans in history who shaped the face of American psychiatry", and one of the "five most influential psychotherapists of all time" by The American Psychologist in July 1989. His work at the University of Pennsylvania inspired Martin E.P. Seligman to refine his own cognitive techniques and later work on learned helplessness.

Reviews

[Meg Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice alternative/supplement to ERP. (If I had to read it I'm logging it)

[Stephanie Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly structured therapy for OCD. I have already implemented some of the techniques discussed but doubt I will use the full structured therapy with all associated worksheets, but this book gives you all the resources you need to fully implement it if you so choose.