Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

There’s no doubt about it: trauma and maltreatment of children impact OCD in both children and adults. Surely, trauma must be causal to OCD? Not so fast. Trauma not Causal to OCD (So Far As We Know) Trauma is not a definitive cause of OCD (Dykshoorn, 2014). However, it has some strong associations. If you […]

Featured in the BioLogos May blog for Mental Health Awareness month, I was asked to speak about how OCD has been handled inside and outside the church–and how pastors are the real front door of care.  It is a dream to write for BioLogos as it was founded by Francis Collins, a follower of Christ […]

Around here, I’m all about helping people get unstuck. It is a joy to elevate voices of hope. Today’s guest article is by my colleague Dr. Johann D’Souza who is out “crushing it” in the area of clinical treatment of OCD and Anxiety, especially with teens. Join my free newsletter to be the first to […]

There is one key mistake I come across from clinicians who try to work with OCD but lack training or experience treating it. Simply put, they “play with” obsessions rather than treating the nature of the problem. This can turn into well-meaning psychotherapy being a “rumination-fest” filled with reassurance from the clinician. Clients don’t usually […]

Have you ever mixed up what you thought God was saying with your feelings? Me too. It’s pretty human to conflate what God is saying with various thoughts and feelings. Fear? God must be trying to warn you! Sadness? There is something that is grief-worthy. Anger? You must be out of control. Not always…. Anxiety […]

Fred: “So what do I do with my uncertainty?” Therapist: “Sit with it! You can’t be certain about anything.” Fred: “Ummmmm….okay, but what does that mean?” Therapist: “Just do nothing until your values indicate a step to take.” Fred: “Oh, okay. Thanks, I guess.” Here lies a vignette of a shared frustration people express to […]

My first book proposal rejection is hung up in my office. The agent I pitched to was gracious enough to send me a note in return (most don’t). Does not sound like a fit for me at this time… Passion and vulnerability are close friends as I write my first book, Breakthrough Ways to Help […]

Say what?! That’s right, I am now a registered provider for South Carolina.  Offer Specialized CBT and Exposure Therapy for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders. Make an appointment (or find out more) TODAY!

Register now! https://iocdf.org/onlineocdcon Hear Me Speak The Ultimate Guide to Scrupulosity Treatment Clearing up the confusion over scrupulosity, this detailed and informative presentation chronicles the history of OCD—including how it’s treated successfully and unique factors and considerations in effective treatment. This “getting back to the basics” overview provides OCD and ERP “101” with specifics and […]

Recent research by the British Psychological Society found that higher stress with less novelty contributes to a sense of “time warp.” For those who can’t remember a lot of 2021, you’re not alone. If we lack certain “anchor events” (like celebrations and going to the movies with a friend), time feels more distorted. The more […]

Erika McCoy is a courageous advocate for OCD recovery and faith concerns. We began to run in similar advocacy circles, and I had the privilege of meeting her this year in San Francisco at the annual #OCDCon. This article showcases one of vulnerability, courage, and recovery. Along with personal growth comes evaluation of what we […]

“Maybe I’m a failure as a … mother, wife, Christ follower etc.” “Maybe having this thought or that emotion makes me a terrible person …” “Maybe I’m not committed to God enough…” An OCD sufferer passed along their bold, victorious acceptance script. It’s one of the many tools we use to treat OCD through CBT […]

“Help! I’m stuck!” If you or a loved one has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and you’re also seeking how to navigate it from a Christian perspective, you may have felt very alone. People tell me they’re stuck between two worlds. One world is in finding competent, accessible help for OCD that’s not minimized or misdiagnosed. The […]

Father, I am seeking: I am hesitant and uncertain, but will you, O God, watch over each step of mine and guide me. ~St. Augustine of Hippo “Is this true, or is this OCD?” The strain on Paul’s* face told me the pain under the surface. Clients often ask any variation of the following: “What […]

Helping someone else who suffers can be powerful. Tom,* like most clients, reflected on the larger purpose he had besides reducing his own discomfort. There is nothing wrong with coming to therapy to feel better, yet Tom said, “I’m fine with just personal growth through therapy, but are there any ways you know that I […]