I was recently asked in an email:
Is it better for me to go with a Christian therapist that specializes in OCD or a non-Christian therapist that is qualified and trained in ERP? I am torn about what is best and don’t want to waste time or money.
It’s a simple answer with complex details. I recently recorded a live stream on Scrupulosity (OCD centered on faith, spirituality, religion, and morality). I have a brand new one in the works, and my forthcoming book addresses this extensively. Here’s a quick overview:
OCD is not, per se, a faith issue. Anyone can have a faith problem or issue. However, OCD functions in distinct ways and usually responds to specific interventions. This being said, especially the more severe OCD gets, it is often imperative to work with people who know what they are talking about because even the best intentions can serve as accommodation (compulsions by proxy)- which makes the condition worse. So yes, all things being equal, I typically recommend people see an OCD specialist to disentangle OCD first if they cannot find someone who shares their beliefs. They can use their faith community’s wisdom while seeing this expert clinician to gain necessary support on both sides. I hope you enjoy the training!
Additionally, I recently launched two new ebooks as guides for finding the right fit for you. Join a free list to get them both NOW.
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