Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

There’s a pastor who is also a psychologist specializing in treating OCD. You read that right.  What seems a bizarre combo at its heart isn’t unusual at all.  Sure, in all fairness, he is the only person I know who has that mix. But he’s not the only person by far with a mixture of […]

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 friend and the author, Kathrine Snyder, who also wrote a book (see at the end). She’s one of the many courageous voices that have impacted my own journey. If you’re looking […]

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 […]

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 friend and fellow advocate, Carolyn Ringenberg, MSW.  Join my free newsletter to be the first to receive articles, stories, announcements, and free ebooks: www.justinkhughes.com/getunstuck Is OCD Spiritual Warfare? By Carolyn Ringenberg, […]

I received a great question from a friend and fellow OCD Advocate today (edited for format): I’m curious what your take on this is: it has been mentioned a few times how people think OCD is a tool of/caused by Satan. That OCD is a spiritual attack and that the enemy is planting things in […]

Find me presenting at OCD Con 2024!!   TITLE: Keeping the Faith: How to Ethically and Competently Treat Religious Scrupulosity TRACK: Clinician–Advanced DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM   Description: Providing effective and respectful care to individuals with religious scrupulosity challenges even the most experienced OCD therapists. Our individual biases and lack […]

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 […]

Jacob Tilton is the Director of Music Ministries at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX. This is his second article with justinkhughes.com, shedding insight into both personal experience with OCD and Anxiety while walking the road of following Jesus. Around here, I’m all about helping people get unstuck. It is a joy to elevate […]

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 […]

Around here, I’m all about helping people get unstuck. It is a joy to elevate voices of hope. Meghan’s story is bringing just that to many people. I hope you enjoy her guest article. Join my free newsletter to be the first to receive articles, stories, announcements, and free ebooks: www.justinkhughes.com/getunstuck   Is There Enough […]

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 […]

Jacob Tilton is the Director of Music Ministries at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX. He courageously offered to share his story about his struggle with OCD, how it’s affected him, and ways where he has grown closer to Christ and moved through his struggles. Around here, I’m all about helping people get unstuck. […]

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 […]

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. (Luke 1:45) God’s Ways Are Often Shocking Mary, the mother of Jesus, received with grace shocking news. The Son of God will be born through you. Name him Jesus. Uh, come again? She didn’t […]