Jon Hershfield - The OCD Workbook for Teens

Every teen with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) should read this book! Its going to be a must-read from now on in my OCD therapy practice. Jon Hershfield has mastered the tone, humor, and relatable nature that a book for teens must have in order to not be chucked back at their parents head! Every parent should thank him!

Natasha Daniels, LCSW , child therapist specializing in anxiety and OCD, creator of www.atparentingsurvival.com, and author of Anxiety Sucks

Jon Hershfields The OCD Workbook for Teens is a must-read for teens experiencing OCD. He masterfully intertwines clinical expertise and personal voice in a way that speaks directly to the reader. This cleverly illustrated book provides the tools for teens to embark on their own personal quest to fight OCD. Importantly, it is also a useful resource for parents and clinicians seeking a better understanding of OCD and the teenage experience.

Maria G Fraire, PhD , program director of the Child and Adolescent OCD Institute at McLean Hospital, and instructor in the department of psychology at Harvard Medical School

To quote the opening of this book: Dude. Seriously. This workbook not only covers the basics of OCD and its first-line treatment, exposure and response prevention (ERP), but also contains material to foster self-compassion, mindfulness, and the tolerance of uncertainty. It is written in friendly language to engage teens, and includes experiential exercises to foster engagement. I am confident that this will be a staple on the shelves of both teens with OCD and the clinicians who work with them.

Amy Mariaskin, PhD , clinical psychologist, director of the Nashville OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center, and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University

There are so few books that really speak to teens where they are, in an empowering way, with solid strategies that they can apply immediately. Jon Hershfields The OCD Workbook for Teens hits all the right notesit is clever, and funny, with killer illustrations by graphic artist Sean Shinnockand best of all, it contains practical, evidence-based tools presented in a collaborative, empathic way for teens. If you are a practitioner who works with teens, its gonna be hard to keep this book from flying off the shelves!

Lisa Coyne, PhD , founder and director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, and coauthor of Stuff Thats Loud

Jon Hershfield successfully channels his inner teen to communicate sometimes complicated aspects of treatment in relatable, effective, and cool ways. His innovative approach, along with Sean Shinnocks incredible illustrations, create a one-of-a-kind resource that will become a must-have for parents and kids alike. OCD can be complicated; defeating it shouldnt be. Hershfield has created a significant weapon against OCD, one I wish Id had in my armory growing up.

Ethan S. Smith , filmmaker, and national advocate for the International OCD Foundation

Quieting OCD thoughts and rituals is hard work. Kids need help. As a parent, Im ecstatic Jons written this path to understanding and success. Im thrilled Seans illustrations show kids as defiant and victorious. This book is a relatable way for teens to understand their brains, get thoughts out into the open, and tackle ERP. Its a workbook that actually lets kids work out their anxiety. Take that, OCD.

Chris Baier , parent of a teen with OCD; producer of UNSTUCK ; and creator of OCDeconstruct, the first virtual OCD Conference

Having interviewed Jon many times, I have come to appreciate his unique style of working with OCD. Throughout this book he gives the reader activities to help them embed the information he has accrued over many years. This coupled with Seans illustrations bring the chapters to life by animating the experience that many young people go through. Two passionate people in the OCD community have produced this book.

Stuart Ralph , founder of The OCD Stories podcast

Practical and positive, The OCD Workbook for Teens brings CBT and mindfulness skills to teens in an easy-to-read and relatable way. The concepts of exposure and mindfulness can be hard to convey, yet Hershfield presents them succinctly and effectively. Sharing his own experience with OCD with humility, Hershfield brings a much-needed message of hope and optimism to teens with OCD.

Aureen Wagner, PhD , director of The Anxiety Wellness Center in Cary, NC; and author of What to Do When Your Child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

INSTANT HELP, the Clock Logo, and NEW HARBINGER are trademarks of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2021 by Jonathan Hershfield

Instant Help Books

An imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

Cover design by Amy Shoup

Acquired by Jess OBrien

Edited by Karen Schader

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hershfield, Jon, author. | Shinnock, Sean, illustrator.

Title: The OCD workbook for teens : mindfulness and CBT skills to help you overcome unwanted thoughts and compulsions / Jon Hershfield ; illustrated by Sean Shinnock.

Description: Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, [2021]

Identifiers: LCCN 2020035553 (print) | LCCN 2020035554 (ebook) | ISBN 9781684036363 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781684036370 (pdf) | ISBN 9781684036387 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence--Treatment. | Cognitive therapy for teenagers.

Classification: LCC RJ506.O25 H47 2021 (print) | LCC RJ506.O25 (ebook) | DDC 618.92/891425--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020035553

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020035554

Contents

a letter to teens

Dear Reader,

Dude.

Seriously. I really couldve used this book when I was a teenager. I served my time in adolescence from 19901997. Horror movies were still pretty good, electronic music was just starting to get really interesting, and the technology was, well, lets just say if I died in a video game, I usually had to start the whole level over.

I have a memory of lying in the grass at my parents home, looking up at the sky and thinking, This is way too hard. No way should it be this hard . I was fourteen. I cant even recall what it was that made me so unhappy, aside from always picturing things I looked at dying terrible deaths or bursting into flames, flipping out when my mother told me I had to make a cassette copy of my brothers new CD instead of buying my own CD with the exact same music on it, and the fact that I seemed absolutely incapable of letting anything go . If I said the wrong thing, embarrassed myself in any way, this event would just play on a loop for days on end. But not just a regular loop, the kind that picks up speed with each revolution. Acting helped, so I did all the school plays. Calling everything obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) helped, a little. But the truth is, I didnt really understand how to operate the machinery in my head until I was almost thirty. Then I became a therapist. Now, as an ancient man in his forties, I have the opportunity to show you some things that may help you understand what OCD is, how to develop mastery over it, and maybe even enjoy being young while you still have the time.