The Four Steps, developed by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz at UCLA, is an extremely powerful mindfulness-based approach that also combines cognitive and behavioral techniques.   Dr. Schwartz’s research has shown that the Four Steps decreases obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms by the same amount as medication.  Further, Stephanie Bark has recently replicated his work in Germany.  In her work, she found significant improvement in OCD patients’ symptoms over 4 weeks simply by providing them with a 60-minute audio CD on the Four Steps (and no other treatment or interventions).

While the Four Steps is based on the same foundations of Buddhist psychology and mindfulness, the difference lies in the fact that meditation is not required or incorporated into the clinical approach.  Instead of meditating, patients use self-directed therapy to learn how to identify their thoughts and emotions and correctly attribute them to OCD, rather than continue to see their OCD symptoms as indicative of their self-identity.  They are taught to increase their awareness of their experiences and become progressively more mindful.  Granted, the Four Steps does require repeated practice and vigilance, but as Stephanie Bark’s work demonstrates, people can have significant changes in their lives in only four weeks with this approach.

If you are interested in learning more about the Four Steps, I would suggest that you read an article written by Dr. Schwartz because it provides an excellent introduction to his approach to OCD and mindfulness. The best site is: http://www.ocduk.org/2/foursteps.htm  In addition, there is a 34-minute video of Dr. Schwartz discussing the Four Steps on the OCD-UK site. 

NOTE:  This is an educational site only. 
The content on this site does not constitute medical advice, medical treatment or a patient-doctor (fiduciary) relationship.