"Pure O" OCD

“‘Pure O’ is getting more attention, finally, and Chad LeJeune’s book will be a part of the shift in understanding it. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) works for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) because it helps us create a new relationship with our thoughts, and the ability to unhook from the stickiness of them. LeJeune guides the reader through this process of defusing from the content of their thoughts, and toward a values-led life.”
—Stuart Ralph, counseling and psychotherapist for children and young people, and host of The OCD Stories podcast ~Stuart Ralph

“Some thoughts can become so sticky that they begin to run our lives: Thoughts about disgusting things; possible inadequacies; future losses or betrayals; harm to others. Often the mental adjustments we make to diminish them only make them more central—creating the neurobiological equivalent of ruts in a well-traveled dirt road. This book confronts that system head-on and provides an evidence-based pathway forward.

Don’t target the thoughts; target the stickiness. Step by step, this book teaches you how to do that, with creative exercises focused on five readily learned skills. If you are living inside this torment, this book will help show you how to take your life back. Sure-footed, kind, and very well written, you will know immediately that you are in the experienced hands of a world-class expert in ‘Pure O’ who can teach you life-changing skills. I can highly recommend it.”
—Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Nevada Foundation Professor in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno; author of A Liberated Mind; and originator of ACT ~Steven C. Hayes, PhD

“When thinking about OCD, most people quickly think about germs, contamination, cleanliness, or orderliness. Yet for those suffering from OCD, there are so many ways in which their brain latches onto obsessions. ‘Pure O’ is the theme that captures those obsessions and compulsions that are invisible to the eyes of others, but highly distressing to the person having them. LeJeune will show you how to understand those sticky thoughts (through the characters Anthony, Sophie, and Lou), and how you can use ACT to tackle those particular OCD episodes through the five microskills embedded in the acronym: LLAMP. This is a must-read book for anyone dealing with OCD and thought-based compulsions in particular, and who wants to experience rich and fulfilling connections!”
—Patricia E. Zurita Ona, PsyD, author of Acceptance and Commitment Skills for Perfectionism and High-Achieving Behaviors and Living Beyond OCD Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ~Patricia E. Zurita Ona, PsyD

“LeJeune’s book stands out in bringing ACT to bear on the pure obsessions of OCD. With greater depth and clarity than others, he explains ‘cognitive fusion’ in this disorder, and develops the ideas of ‘magic’ and ‘time fusion.’ LeJeune shares pearls of wisdom in a highly engaging, readable, and practical manner.”
—Alan K. Louie, MD, professor, associate chair, and director of education in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine ~Alan K. Louie, MD

“With ‘Pure O’ OCD, LeJeune has given us an expert guide through the twists and turns of the obsessive mind, illuminating the way with an engrossing blend of evidence-based strategy and story. Highly recommended for those hoping to revolutionize their relationship to intrusive thoughts, and by doing so, to break free.”
—Sheva Rajaee, MFT, director of The Center for Anxiety and OCD, and author of Relationship OCD ~Sheva Rajaee, MFT

“In ‘Pure O’ OCD, Chad LeJeune tackles one of the most challenging forms of OCD. With his relatable and often humorous style, LeJeune offers a fresh and practical treatment guide by combining traditional exposure therapy with ACT. I have already added this book to my OCD toolbox, and will be encouraging many of my clients to do the same.”
—Scott M. Granet, LCSW, author of The Complete OCD Workbook ~Scott M. Granet, LCSW

“A truly excellent guide to coping with and recovering from an often neglected type of OCD. Packed full of useful information, essential skills, and empowering strategies, this is not only a really useful self-help book, but also an invaluable resource for any therapist who works with OCD. Highly recommended!”
—Russ Harris, author of the million-copy best-seller, The Happiness Trap ~Russ Harris

“A must-read for those suffering from obsessions—the ‘sticky thoughts’ that plague people with OCD. LeJeune provides a much-needed guide for getting ‘unstuck’ from thoughts that feel terrifying or disgusting. His decades of experience shine through every page as he brilliantly describes and illustrates how to disentangle from thoughts themselves, and choose values-based activities over mental or physical rituals. A life-transforming book for sufferers, and an invaluable clinical resource!”
—Joan Davidson, PhD, cofounder and codirector of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy; and assistant clinical professor in the clinical science program at the University of California, Berkeley ~Joan Davidson, PhD