Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

It seems to be an arduous road to find a competent therapist who also supports you in your values. As a therapist and a patient myself, it makes complete sense to try to reasonably determine a good fit up front. I created a free guide so you don’t have to go in “cold.” If you […]

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 […]

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 […]

Is ERP for OCD beneficial? Don’t most people drop out? Isn’t it too intense? Don’t very few people ever have long-term success? Confusing, So Confusing Starting treatment for something so impairing as OCD is already a challenge. Beth* expressed typical hesitations in pursuing ERP for OCD: Won’t focus on something terrible result in something bad? […]

Sometimes it may feel like the odds are stacked against you. For those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), this can seem especially true. For years, while working with hundreds of people with OCD, I have observed severe struggles with decision-making. Recent research reveals a lot more about this—and its relation to Executive Function (EF). In […]

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!   […]

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 […]

Are you confused about what treatment to pursue for OCD? You’re not alone. On the consumer side, it can seem perplexing.  Fortunately, it’s all more manageable with a little guidance of those in the know!  If you’re looking for a specialist in your area, go HERE. While I am a strong proponent of the gold […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]