Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”
120+ Articles Driven by Research and Practice
When Jesus Was Tender & When He Was Tough- What Is He Saying To You?
That Voice. You undoubtedly know the difference when someone uses that voice. The conversation went from being lighthearted to now serious. As a child, you may remember actual examples when your parent got serious and “laid down the law.” I’m working on how to do this graciously, yet firmly, with my toddler right now. Have […]
Read More >Faith and OCD- An Interview with Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale
OCD can be a highly debilitating disorder- yet it is highly treatable! You don’t have to check your faith at the door to get good help. One example is from Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, Director of the McLean OCD Institute // Houston and Lecturer at Harvard Medical School. She is also Founder of the Peace […]
Read More >Can Christians Be Free From Uncertainty? Part 4/4: The Good News In Uncertainty
This four part series is meant to be a brief, yet fairly comprehensive, overview into the world of uncertainty for Christians. SUMMARY: In Part 1, uncertainty is explored as a human experience- one for which Christians do not escape simply in lieu of being a faithful follower. Part 2 addresses what ways people generally handle […]
Read More >Can Christians Be Free From Uncertainty? Part 3/4: The Argument For Christians To Embrace Uncertainty
This four part series is meant to be a brief, yet fairly comprehensive, overview into the world of uncertainty for Christians. SUMMARY: In Part 1, uncertainty is explored as a human experience- one for which Christians do not escape simply in lieu of being a faithful follower. Part 2 addresses what ways people generally handle […]
Read More >Can Christians Be Free From Uncertainty? Part 2/4: Christian Intolerance of Uncertainty
This four part series is meant to be a brief, yet fairly comprehensive, overview into the world of uncertainty for Christians. SUMMARY: In Part 1, uncertainty is explored as a human experience- one for which Christians do not escape simply in lieu of being a faithful follower. Part 2 addresses what ways people generally handle […]
Read More >Can Christians Be Free From Uncertainty? Part 1/4: Uncertainty Can Be Utterly Uncomfortable
This four part series is meant to be a brief, yet fairly comprehensive, overview into the world of uncertainty for Christians. SUMMARY: In Part 1, uncertainty is explored as a human experience- one for which Christians do not escape simply in lieu of being a faithful follower. Part 2 addresses what ways people generally handle […]
Read More >Common Pitfalls in ERP 4 OCD- FREE Training
As a sequel to my popular, “ERP 4 OCD- Ultimate Guide to Treating OCD” training, here is the full length training on “Common Pitfalls in ERP 4 OCD.” I have given this to OCD sufferers, family/friends, clergy, and clinicians. May it benefit you wherever you find yourself today. Intro Evidence-based treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder […]
Read More >Vacation, Holiday, Birthday, Anniversary Anxiety? You’re Not Alone
It’s “supposed” to be a special time. You’ve worked hard and are ready to take a break. But you feel more distressed and a certain pressure to be relaxed. Welcome to anxiety invading special moments. This can be true with vacations, holidays, days/hours off, and birthdays and anniversaries. If you struggle to feel happy, content, […]
Read More >When Relaxation Is Distressing
When I first learned to implement mindfulness, relaxation, and deep breathing into my therapy practice, I have to admit I was surprised when some clients quickly stated one of a few things: They didn’t want to continue. It was distressing to them. It didn’t work for them. It threw me off a little as a […]
Read More >How To Use A Functional Assessment (Fast Version)
This is the shortened version of the article, the “PRO Version” available here. Functional Assessment Defined A functional assessment (or analysis, FA) is a framework that clinicians use to assess and plan treatment. It is simply “any empirical demonstration of a cause-effect relation,” its purpose being “to determine which sources of reinforcement account for problem […]
Read More >Where Your Thinking Will Trip You Up In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Talk therapy is not the way to improve with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Talk therapy is also known as “supportive psychotherapy” or insight-oriented therapies. In many cases, these approaches can OCD worse. Writer and actress Lena Dunham shares how she experienced both sides of the street. The Gold Standard of treatment is Exposure and Response Prevention […]
Read More >Microsteps- Harnessing Something You Use Everyday To Get You Closer To A Goal
Small changes, over time, lead to big results. Keep Choppin’ If you chop a tree with an axe once per day, you won’t see much progress. Daily for a year and a tree (most) won’t stand a chance. However, we are often limited with black and white, insular thinking (a cognitive distortion), also called “all […]
Read More >How To Use A Functional Assessment Like The Experts (PRO Version)
This is the full, “PRO version” of this article. Looking for the quick read with graphics? Click here. A great strength we have as human beings is to make connections and associations between simple and complex information. At its best, we can learn and grow. At worst, we can live in total unreality. Therapy at […]
Read More >Get Unstuck: Your Intro to Facing Fear & Getting Healthy
As a gift to my subscribers, the guide, Get Unstuck: Your Intro to Facing Fear & Getting Healthy is YOURS, FREE. Not a subscriber? This is the updated version of the prior “Thriving Mental Health Alongside COVID-19,” leaving the best intact along with new considerations for 2021 and several new handouts, connected articles, guides, and […]
Read More >Why EMDR Is Not An Evidence-based Treatment for OCD
I’m just gonna say it: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is not an established evidence-based treatment for OCD. It is not a first line treatment (aka, best first pick), nor does it have any specific research backing as a comprehensive OCD treatment at this time. Does EMDR Treat OCD? This topic is raised often […]
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