Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

This article (with a few grammatical edits updated here) is published on the International OCD Foundation’s (IOCDF) Faith & OCD Resource center. You can go there to find multiple other articles, video, and content on the same, including several other contributions I have had the privilege of being a part. Protestant Christians who present with […]

By Ted Witzig, Jr., PhD,  Updated for Clinicians by Justin K. Hughes, MA, LPC This edited article is updated for mental health clinicians to consider implementing effective and sensitive exposures for any client of faith.  The original article (found here) was written for Christian individuals with OCD.  Hopefully this document can guide you in developing […]

An enduring reality of life: we all have to do things we don’t want or like. An enduring principle of life: discipline builds strength and character. A curious paradox of life: doing disciplined things we don’t like often leads to greater contentment. An enduring joy of life: experiencing discipline and seeing it pay dividends brings […]

Faith & OCD Roundtable October 18 at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT Topic: Being in a Relationship with Religious Scrupulosity  Join Lead Advocate Rev. Katie O’Dunne and clinicians Dr. Caitlin Clagget Woods & Justin K. Hughes, LPC, along with Carolyn Ringenberg of the Faith & OCD Task Force to discuss the topic of being […]

The IOCDF and its Advocates invite you to celebrate OCD Awareness Week, October 9–15, 2022! “#OCDWeek began in 2009 to share knowledge and reduce stigma around OCD and related disorders. Each year in October, individuals, community groups, service organizations, and clinics around the world celebrate with OCD-inspired educational talks, youth events, grassroots fundraisers, yoga, creative […]

Everyone Loses Lucas* regularly expressed frustration about his parents’ “nagging” him. Though he is a young adult, he lives out home and is mostly dependent on his parents for all essentials.  He gave permission to involve his parents in treatment, which is ideal in many cases. It was frustrating for his compulsions to impair his […]

Medications for OCD are often straightforward.  Usually, they involve SSRIs at often double the dosing compared to treating anxiety and depression.  No one thing is known to cure OCD.  The average adult sees a maximum 40-60% improvement in symptoms (which by the way, is less on average than the therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, or […]

Over a year in the making, the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) launched its Faith & OCD Resource Center.  I have had the privilege to serve on the Task Force and to be a regular contributor to this and the Annual OCD & Faith Conference.  While many of my readers most certainly know of the specific […]

Join me for a FREE Live stream with all questions allowed!  I will be using the highly respected presentation created and given prior by Dr. Ted Witzig, who has graciously allowed its reproduction.  We’ll cover all things OCD, scrupulosity, faith integration with treatment, and 10 differences between Healthy Faith and OCD. Who: Me!  Justin K. […]

OCD and Anxiety are difficult foes when it comes to change.  Part of the problem with these disorders is that those who are not yet in recovery have developed often elaborate systems to prevent and escape from their distress.  While this may provide immediate relief momentarily, it serves to reinforce that we might only be […]

They’re here!  The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) provided these recordings for two panels at the OCD & Faith Conference from earlier last week.  It covers a broad spectrum of faith, moral, spiritual, and religious concerns.  I hope it helps you or a loved one who suffers with OCD to better identify what is OCD and […]

This 3 part series explores a common question for Christians struggling with intrusive, unwanted thoughts: “Can thoughts be evil or sinful?  What does that mean?”  All good questions are best explored in community; consider this a conversation. I want to encourage you that this is not the same as therapy OR gaining direct wisdom from […]

This 3 part series explores a common question for Christians struggling with intrusive, unwanted thoughts: “Can thoughts be evil or sinful?  What does that mean?”  All good questions are best explored in community; consider this a conversation. I want to encourage you that this is not the same as therapy OR gaining direct wisdom from […]

This 3 part series explores a common question for Christians struggling with intrusive, unwanted thoughts: “Can thoughts be evil or sinful?  What does that mean?”  All good questions are best explored in community; consider this a conversation. I want to encourage you that this is not the same as therapy OR gaining direct wisdom from […]

One of the most common questions I get from Christians concerning intrusive thoughts in OCD and Anxiety Disorders is along the lines of “Is this thought sinful just for having it?” “What if these thoughts mean something?” “Are the  thoughts real?” “Is God trying to tell me something?” After someone recently requested my thoughts on […]