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When Thoughts Get Stuck

Peace of Mind in the Battle Against OCD

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Pub Date Jul 16 2026 | Archive Date Jul 31 2026

John Murray Press US | Hodder & Stoughton


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Description

If you have felt like you are fighting against your own mind, When Thoughts Get Stuck will help you understand why. Showing you a gentle pathway to peace, it will reintroduce you to the unshakeable love of God in the midst of fear.

Written by two people who live with OCD, this book combines personal experience with psychological insight and spiritual wisdom. Well-being Chaplain Rev Will Van Der Hart and mental health communicator Thea Joshi expose the hidden struggle of obsessive thinking - especially when it gets tangled with Christian faith.

In this book you'll discover:

  • What OCD really is (- and what it's not)

  • How Biblical principles and OCD mindsets interact

  • Why we can let go of persistent guilt and condemnation

  • Practical tools for handling obsessions and compulsions when they appear

  • Biblical truth and clinical insights that break the cycle of fear


  • Each chapter includes spiritual encouragement, expert-informed guidance, and a prayer to help you to embrace the love of God for you.

    ''Written with pastoral care and the warmth of personal experience, Will and Thea do a superb job of providing readers with practical tools for breaking cycles of rumination. This empowering book is a must read for church leaders and for those who struggle with OCD and obsessive thoughts.'
    Cheryl Donaldson, Psychologist, MA, LMFT, LCPC

    'Full of hope and help.'
    Rev Simon Ponsonby, Priest, Author and Chaplain

    If you have felt like you are fighting against your own mind, When Thoughts Get Stuck will help you understand why. Showing you a gentle pathway to peace, it will reintroduce you to the unshakeable...


    Advance Praise

    ''Written with pastoral care and the warmth of personal experience, Will and Thea do a superb job of providing readers with practical tools for breaking cycles of rumination. This empowering book is a must read for church leaders and for those who struggle with OCD and obsessive thoughts.'

    Cheryl Donaldson, Psychologist, MA, LMFT, LCPC

    'Full of hope and help.'

    Reverend Simon Ponsonby, Priest, author and chaplain

    ''Written with pastoral care and the warmth of personal experience, Will and Thea do a superb job of providing readers with practical tools for breaking cycles of rumination. This empowering book is...


    Available Editions

    EDITION Other Format
    ISBN 9781399826532
    PRICE £15.99 (GBP)
    PAGES 176

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    Average rating from 6 members


    Featured Reviews

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    Thank you netgalley for this ARC.

    Out of all the books I have read about OCD before I found this one to be the most helpful. It felt very relatable which also made it easier to truly understand how to approach OCD thoughts.

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    Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. This is a kind, intelligent and wise book both explaining OCD and sharing hope with theological grounding. A fantastic resource.

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    An important and compassionate book that approaches OCD and intrusive thoughts with a lot of empathy and understanding. The author explains difficult feelings in a reassuring and supportive way, and I can see how many readers would find comfort in the advice and reflections shared throughout the book.

    I particularly found the chapter The Great Escape interesting, especially the discussion around checking, reassurance seeking and compulsions. The way the book broke these behaviours down into different “buckets” made complex thoughts and behaviours feel easier to understand and recognise.

    While it was not quite the right fit for me personally, I still appreciated the gentle tone and the focus on helping readers feel understood and less alone. A thoughtful and informative read for anyone wanting to learn more about OCD and intrusive thoughts.

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    What makes When Thoughts Get Stuck so powerful is that the authors aren't just writing from theory—they are writing from the front lines of their own lived experience with OCD. Their vulnerability creates an immediate bond of trust.

    The practical tools for handling "stuck" thoughts and the "what-ifs" of anxiety are clear, actionable, and compassionate. I especially appreciated the specific prayers and spiritual encouragements at the end of each chapter; they provide a moment of stillness when your mind is racing. It’s a masterclass in breaking the cycle of fear with both clinical wisdom and pastoral care.

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