10 Compulsive Behavior Books That Redefine Recovery and Support

When Paula Hall first recognized the devastating impact of compulsive sexual behavior, she channeled her clinical expertise into developing the C.H.O.I.C.E. Recovery Model, a sex-positive approach blending CBT, ACT, and psychodynamic theories. This book guides you through understanding the complexities of sex and pornography addiction, offering insight into newer challenges like ChemSex and internet offending. You'll find clear explanations and practical tools aimed at both individuals struggling with addiction and clinicians seeking to enhance their treatment methods. If you want a grounded, nuanced perspective on recovery that respects sexual diversity and integrates evolving research, this book will meet your needs.

Drawing from their extensive clinical experience, Kimberley Quinlan and Jon Hershfield created a workbook that tackles obsessive-compulsive disorder with a unique blend of cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, and compassion-focused therapy. You learn how to recognize and lean into your fears while managing the intense emotions OCD stirs up, replacing self-criticism with kindness. Detailed exercises guide you through understanding the emotional cycles of OCD and practical ways to shift your response to intrusive thoughts. This book suits anyone struggling with OCD who wants tools that foster self-compassion alongside recovery strategies, especially those weary of traditional approaches that overlook emotional kindness.

This personalized book delivers a focused exploration of obsessive-compulsive disorder management techniques tailored to your unique experiences and recovery goals. It provides a personalized framework that integrates cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness practices, and acceptance approaches, emphasizing practical tools for addressing compulsive thoughts and behaviors. The book cuts through generic advice by fitting your specific context, including varying symptom patterns and individual triggers, allowing you to engage with recovery strategies that resonate personally. It examines effective exposure response methods alongside emotional regulation tactics, offering a balanced approach that bridges clinical insights with your lived reality. This tailored approach supports a nuanced understanding and sustainable management of OCD symptoms.

Drawing from his extensive expertise in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and mindfulness, Jon Hershfield delivers a thoughtful integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques in this workbook. You learn how to cultivate present-moment awareness, challenge distorted thinking patterns, and separate intrusive thoughts from reality, with practical exercises spread throughout the chapters, including new material on emotional contamination and existential obsessions. The workbook’s approachable style suits those who want concrete methods to manage compulsions and obsessions without feeling overwhelmed, making it a solid choice if you seek tools grounded in clinical experience and personal insight. It’s especially helpful for individuals ready to engage actively in their recovery journey through evidence-based practices.

When Patricia E. Zurita Ona, a clinical psychologist with deep expertise in OCD and anxiety, developed this workbook, she focused on integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) to offer adults practical tools for managing obsessive compulsive disorder. You’ll find exercises that teach stepping back from intrusive thoughts, embracing unwanted feelings without avoidance, and aligning behavior with personal values. The workbook’s hands-on approach breaks down complex therapeutic techniques into accessible steps, making it useful for both those experiencing OCD and the therapists guiding them. Whether you want to better understand your compulsions or support clients in treatment, this book delivers a clear path beyond symptoms without jargon or oversimplification.

When Marisa T. Mazza first reconsidered how OCD treatment could move beyond symptom control, she crafted this workbook to blend acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP). You’ll find exercises that help identify your specific OCD subtype, like harm OCD, and learn to stay present with discomfort while aligning actions with your core values. The book’s chapters walk you through developing tolerance for uncertainty and shifting your relationship with obsessive thoughts rather than battling them outright. If you're looking for a hands-on, psychologically grounded approach to live with OCD more freely, this book offers a focused path, though it requires commitment and may not suit those seeking quick fixes.

This personalized book provides a tailored approach to rapidly reducing compulsive behaviors within 30 days by focusing on practical intervention strategies and individualized behavioral adjustments. It offers a structured plan that cuts through irrelevant advice by concentrating on specific compulsive patterns, triggers, and recovery goals you identify. The book integrates evidence-based techniques such as habit reversal, mindfulness exercises, and cognitive restructuring into a personalized framework designed to fit your unique context. By addressing both psychological and situational factors, it helps you implement sustainable changes efficiently, emphasizing quick progress while maintaining long-term resilience against relapse.

When Gia Marson, EdD, recognized the complex challenges faced by individuals struggling with binge eating, she collaborated with experts Danielle Keenan-Miller PhD and Carolyn Costin LMFT to create this workbook. You gain a tailored eight-week program that helps you understand your triggers, manage emotions, and shift your relationship with food away from harmful cycles. The workbook’s strength lies in its flexible approach, offering mindfulness exercises alongside evidence-based strategies to prevent binge episodes, even addressing why traditional dieting often falls short. This book suits anyone ready to confront compulsive eating patterns with practical tools rather than generic advice, though those seeking deep clinical therapy might need additional support.

Drawing from decades of clinical research and firsthand experience, Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee explore the complex world of compulsive hoarding through vivid case studies that reveal the lived realities of individuals overwhelmed by their possessions. You’ll gain insight into the psychological triggers and persistent behaviors that define hoarding, such as the creation of “goat trails” through cluttered homes and the emotional weight objects carry. The book goes beyond mere description to challenge you to reflect on your own relationships with material things, making it relevant not only for mental health professionals but also for family members and anyone intrigued by the compulsions that can hijack daily life. Chapters delve into both the causes and the challenges of treatment, offering a nuanced view rather than easy solutions.

When families face the challenge of living with a loved one who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, tensions and misunderstandings often arise. Jon Hershfield, MFT, draws from his extensive clinical experience treating OCD with mindfulness and cognitive behavioral approaches to offer families tools for better communication and coping. You’ll learn how to recognize OCD patterns, respond without enabling compulsions, and practice mindfulness to reduce stress within the household. Chapters address specific family roles and provide clear guidance on maintaining compassion while setting healthy boundaries. This book suits those seeking practical support grounded in therapeutic expertise rather than abstract theory.

When Kim Rockwell-Evans first challenged the rigid rules that govern OCD, she reshaped how this disorder is approached in therapy. Drawing from over thirty-five years of clinical experience, she guides you through the seven self-imposed rules that trap those with OCD in cycles of anxiety and compulsions. You learn to recognize anxiety as a false alarm and practice embracing uncertainty, which can help you loosen OCD's grip on daily life. This book suits anyone ready to rethink their relationship with OCD, especially those seeking practical, evidence-based methods to foster mental flexibility and regain control.

David Keuler, Ph.D., draws on over two decades of clinical and research experience treating OCD to offer a nuanced approach that blends mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral therapy. You learn how to recognize and sit with intrusive thoughts through mindfulness techniques like nonjudgmental observation and meditative exposure, paired with exposure and response prevention strategies to reduce compulsive behaviors. Specific chapters guide you through cultivating patience, self-compassion, and curiosity toward your experience, helping you shift your relationship with OCD rather than just suppress symptoms. This book suits those ready for a thoughtful, patient, and methodical path to managing OCD that respects both the psychological and experiential aspects of the disorder.