Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”
120+ Articles Driven by Research and Practice
Deconstructing Faith Beliefs [Guest Article by Erika McCoy]
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 […]
Read More >God Doesn’t Require Me To Separate Body, Mind, and Spirit
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 […]
Read More >SPACE Treatment–An Excellent Option to Help Your Child
Have you heard about SPACE treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)? It helps children suffering from: Anxiety Disorders Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Separation anxiety Social anxiety (SAD) Generalized anxiety (GAD) Fears and phobias Panic disorder Agoraphobia Selective mutism It uniquely can be delivered only through parents and extends to adult children. Parents learn changes […]
Read More >10 Ways to Advocate for Those With OCD
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 […]
Read More >You Don’t Get To Know—An Essential Concept in Anxiety & OCD Recovery
In computer terms, Evan* had “crashed.” His eyes have a certain look that loved ones know all too well in his dark moments. If you don’t have OCD, maybe you have experienced a sampling of this feeling when an urgent decision about something important comes up and you don’t know which option to choose. Add […]
Read More >Faith & OCD Conference Recap- Catch the two free conference videos before they’re gone!
If you want to recap or you missed the 3rd Annual OCD and Faith Conference (#FaithCon), here are the two presentations we recorded. They are only available through June 2023. The heart of the conference is to provide a diversity of voices with a unified focus on recovery from OCD. Whatever your beliefs are, if […]
Read More >Accepting the Unacceptable in Anxiety and OCD
The concept of acceptance is a tricky one for OCD and Anxiety Disorders. When introducing clients to it, the first response I hear every time is something like, “Am I supposed to accept these terrible thoughts?” or “Do I just pretend like they’re not happening?” It’s Not The Same as Condoning In other words, most […]
Read More >How Community Needs To Be Part Of Treatment- Guest on FearCast Podcast with Kevin Foss, MFT
As we close to 2022, I am reflecting with gratitude on the community I have in my life—personally and professionally. Anything good links back to many unseen ways I am supported. I hope you find yourself connected in community or growing towards that end. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year! Kevin Foss, MFT […]
Read More >“Incorporating clients’ faith in counseling” – Check out the new article
Growing research and practice is acknowledging the vital role of faith, religion, and spirituality in counseling practice. Lisa Rhodes, a senior writer at the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Today magazine, reached out to interview me and several others for feedback on how faith integration can happen in therapy sensitively and respectfully. Check it out! […]
Read More >Principles of Effective And Religiously-Sensitive Exposures
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 […]
Read More >“I Don’t Want to Do This”—The Starting Point for Exposure, Discipline, and Conquering Fear
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 […]
Read More >Being in a Relationship with Religious Scrupulosity- FREE Livestream
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 […]
Read More >Family Accommodation in OCD- Addressing Specific and Systemic Accommodations
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 […]
Read More >The Hurried Spiritual Life
This post was originally written July 31, 2013 and has been updated slightly with a reference to the bestseller book on the same topic. Rushing, Rushing ‘Til Life’s No Fun “Gotta go!” Dave looks at his watch, kisses his wife, and walks out the door. With just enough time to get ready and leave for […]
Read More >Clarity vs. Trust- Guest Post by Cal Zant (Kingdom at Work)
Clarity feels so nice, doesn’t it? That decision for work, taking a new job, or whether to take that next step in your relationship. I really like clarity. Yet, clarity is a weak foundation to stand on in pursuit of things that matter. Amazingly, sometimes the very best things we seek in this life may […]
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