Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”
120+ Articles Driven by Research and Practice
“How Pastors Can Be Mental Health Advocates”–My New Article for BioLogos is out now
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 […]
Read More >Values-Based Therapy for Sexual Obsessions–By Dr. Johann D’Souza
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 […]
Read More >Is There Enough Grace for my Intrusive Thoughts?–By Meghan Newkirk
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 […]
Read More >Is It God, Or My Feelings? New Ebook Out Now (and FREE)
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 […]
Read More >Finding God in the Waiting—A Christmas Devotional
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 […]
Read More >When Is The Book Launching?
My first book proposal rejection is hung up in my office. The agent I pitched to was gracious enough to send me a note in return (most don’t). Does not sound like a fit for me at this time… Passion and vulnerability are close friends as I write my first book, Breakthrough Ways to Help […]
Read More >Mental Health Problems–Seek God or Treatment?
Stuck Between Worlds “Why isn’t God healing this???!!!” Georgia* felt a little stuck between worlds. Her severe struggles seemed to need more help than she was getting. However, her church and community group commonly taught her that Christ is sufficient to heal–with the important role of prayer, Scripture, and community.** They had long been excellent […]
Read More >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 >Leaning Into The Moment–A Real Example of Acceptance Scripting
“Maybe I’m a failure as a … mother, wife, Christ follower etc.” “Maybe having this thought or that emotion makes me a terrible person …” “Maybe I’m not committed to God enough…” An OCD sufferer passed along their bold, victorious acceptance script. It’s one of the many tools we use to treat OCD through CBT […]
Read More >Christians Seeking Help for OCD–1 Hour FREE Consultation
“Help! I’m stuck!” If you or a loved one has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and you’re also seeking how to navigate it from a Christian perspective, you may have felt very alone. People tell me they’re stuck between two worlds. One world is in finding competent, accessible help for OCD that’s not minimized or misdiagnosed. The […]
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 >Living with Religious Scrupulosity or Moral OCD [New Article by Dr. Alan Noble]
O. Alan Noble, PhD, is a professor, author, and advocate for those suffering from OCD. I am fortunate to consider him a friend. His most recent book is an excellent read on Christian hope in suffering, On Getting Out of Bed. He has been featured everywhere from Christianity Today to The Atlantic and The Gospel […]
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 >How Does ERP for OCD Work? We Don’t Know.
First things first: I want you to know that there are very effective treatments for OCD, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This is the more important message if you need help today. It works for most people really well. It has the 2nd largest positive effect of any mental health treatment (runner-up only to […]
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