Dismantle or Defuse?

A Comparative Guide to I-CBT and ACT for Treating OCD and Obsessional Thinking

Mable Jacquard McGowan

• Publisher: Jstone Publishing
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9781764519168
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Clinical Psychology

Dismantle or Defuse? shows how two evidence-based approaches— Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—tackle obsessive doubt, mental rituals, and the "what-if" loop in OCD and obsessional thinking.

Part One: I-CBT explains inferential confusion, the feared-self theme, and reality-sensing steps that help you spot when imagination is posing as fact.

Part Two: ACT teaches defusion, values, and committed action so you can change how you relate to sticky thoughts without arguing with them.

Side-by-Side Tools: clear checklists to decide when to use I-CBT dismantling and when to use ACT defusion, plus sample scripts, tracking sheets, and relapse-prevention plans.

Everyday Examples: contamination, checking, harm doubts, relationship doubts, and "not-just-right" sensations, with practical exercises you can try at your own pace.

By the end, you'll have a simple method to choose the right tool for the moment: dismantle doubtful stories with I-CBT or defuse sticky thoughts with ACT—then return to meaningful action.

Who it's for: adults, students, and clinicians seeking a plain-English, step-by-step guide that respects science and focuses on usable skills.

Key topics: I-CBT, ACT, inferential confusion, cognitive fusion, mental rituals, reassurance seeking, values-based action, reality-sensing, obsessional doubt, self-help for OCD.

Table of contents

• Dismantle or Defuse?
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• The Evolving Landscape of Cognitive Therapy
• The Post-CBT World
• Moving Beyond ERP
• Dismantle or Defuse?
• The I-CBT Approach
• The ACT Approach
• Chapter 1: Foundational Principles of I-CBT
• A Paradigm Shift
• Core Concept — Inferential Confusion
• Why Exposure is Logically Unnecessary
• Chapter 2: The I-CBT Formulation in Practice
• Deconstructing the Obsessional Narrative
• Case Study: Sarah's Story of Contamination
• Your Personal Blueprint
• Chapter 3: The I-CBT Toolkit
• Reality-Sensing Exercises
• Clinical Pitfalls
• Differentiating Doubts
• Using the I-CBT Modules
• Chapter 4: Foundational Principles of ACT
• The Goal of Psychological Flexibility
• The Role of Values
• Acceptance, Not Resignation
• Chapter 5: The ACT Formulation in Practice
• Creative Hopelessness
• Introducing the Hexaflex
• Case Study: Sarah's Story Through an ACT Lens
• The ACT Path for Sarah:
• Chapter 6: The ACT Toolkit
• Mindfulness and Present-Moment Awareness
• Cognitive Defusion Techniques
• Values Clarification Exercises
• Committed Action
• Chapter 7: Philosophical Underpinnings — Truth vs. Workability
• The Stance on Thoughts
• The Approach to Reality
• The Role of Anxiety
• Chapter 8: Mechanisms of Change and The Clinician's Stance
• How They Work
• The Therapist's Role
• I-CBT Homework
• Different Ways of Working
• Chapter 9: A Clinician's Decision Guide: When to Dismantle, When to Defuse
• Indications for I-CBT
• Indications for ACT
• A Decision-Making Tree
• Choosing Your Path
• Chapter 10: An Integrative Approach
• Blending Modalities
• Using I-CBT Techniques to Enhance ACT
• Using ACT Techniques to Enhance I-CBT
• The Best of Both Worlds
• Chapter 11: Applying the Models to Other Presentations
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression and Chronic Pain
• A Wider Application
• Conclusion: The Future of Personalized Cognitive Therapy
• Summary of Key Distinctions
• The Importance of a Diverse Toolkit
• Future Directions
• Appendices
• Appendix B: Sample I-CBT Clinician Scripts and Client Handouts
• Appendix C: Sample ACT Metaphors and Experiential Exercises
• Appendix D: Recommended Training Resources for I-CBT and ACT
• Reference