Clinical Handbook for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Inference-Based Therapy

About this manual

This practical manual offers clinicians a comprehensive guide to applying Inference-Based Therapy (IBT) in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Developed by experts Kieron O'Connor and Frederick Aardema, the book presents an innovative approach that focuses on obsessive doubt as the core of the disorder. Unlike traditional exposure-based treatments, IBT works directly with the reasoning processes that maintain obsessions, offering an effective and well-founded alternative.

What is Inference-Based Therapy?

IBT is a cognitive-behavioral treatment that addresses the inference processes that maintain obsessions. It focuses on how people with OCD confuse a remote possibility with a probable reality, generating obsessive doubt that drives compulsive rituals. The manual explains in detail the theoretical model, cognitive restructuring techniques, and steps to help the patient question their erroneous inferences. It includes examples of therapeutic dialogues and practical exercises.

Who is this manual for?

Aimed at psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and advanced mental health students, this manual is suitable for both therapists with experience in OCD and those seeking an alternative to traditional approaches. It provides tools to conceptualize each case from an IBT perspective, design personalized interventions, and evaluate progress. Professionals who already use exposure and response prevention (ERP) will find this book a valuable complement to address the cognitive aspects of the disorder.

Highlighted content of the book

The manual is structured in chapters covering the conceptualization of OCD from IBT, the assessment of inference processes, case formulation, step-by-step intervention, and relapse prevention. It includes patient worksheets, psychoeducation guides, and resources to facilitate clinical practice. Each chapter includes clinical vignettes illustrating the application of techniques in different OCD subtypes. In addition, common difficulties in treatment and strategies to overcome them are addressed.

What do professionals who have used it say?

Many therapists emphasize that this manual has transformed their clinical practice. They point out that it offers a clear and structured approach that facilitates understanding the root of OCD. Some report significant improvements in their patients' response, with higher remission rates compared to previous approaches. Others especially value the integration of theory and practice, as well as the ready-to-use materials. In general, the book is considered an indispensable resource for those who wish to incorporate IBT into their therapeutic repertoire.

This book is a professional resource and is not intended to replace consultation with a mental health professional. Consult a specialist for the treatment of OCD. The information contained herein is educational and should be used under clinical supervision.