Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”
120+ Articles Driven by Research and Practice
Keeping the Faith: How to Ethically and Competently Treat Religious Scrupulosity
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 […]
Read More >The #1 Mistake Clinicians Make When “Treating” OCD–New Article Published in the Newsletter of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies
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 […]
Read More >You Can’t Be Certain—A Brief Primer On What Anxiety & OCD Experts Mean, & Why It’s So Annoying
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 […]
Read More >Now Seeing Clients Located in South Carolina!
Say what?! That’s right, I am now a registered provider for South Carolina. Offer Specialized CBT and Exposure Therapy for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders. Make an appointment (or find out more) TODAY!
Read More >Speaking Twice THIS WEEKEND- Online OCD Conference
Register now! https://iocdf.org/onlineocdcon Hear Me Speak The Ultimate Guide to Scrupulosity Treatment Clearing up the confusion over scrupulosity, this detailed and informative presentation chronicles the history of OCD—including how it’s treated successfully and unique factors and considerations in effective treatment. This “getting back to the basics” overview provides OCD and ERP “101” with specifics and […]
Read More >“Anchor Events”: Why 2021 Felt Like a Time Warp and What That Means for Anxiety
Recent research by the British Psychological Society found that higher stress with less novelty contributes to a sense of “time warp.” For those who can’t remember a lot of 2021, you’re not alone. If we lack certain “anchor events” (like celebrations and going to the movies with a friend), time feels more distorted. The more […]
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 >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 […]
Read More >Breaking the Rules of OCD
Seven years ago, I became fast friends with Dr. Kim Rockwell-Evans. We watched a Giants game in San Francisco at my first-ever International OCD Foundation Conference (2016). She reminds me of the power of a great friendship and of the importance of asking thoughtfully informed questions. I’m ecstatic about Dr. Kim Rockwell-Evans‘ September book launch. […]
Read More >You Don’t Get To Know—An Essential Concept in Anxiety & OCD Recovery
In computer terms, Evan* had “crashed.” His eyes have a certain look that loved ones know all too well in his dark moments. If you don’t have OCD, maybe you have experienced a sampling of this feeling when an urgent decision about something important comes up and you don’t know which option to choose. Add […]
Read More >#OCDCon2023 July 6-9, 2023
It’s not too early to start making plans for #OCDCon2023! I have submitted a BUNCH of proposals so hope to both attend and present. From the IOCDF: July 7–9, 2023 | Marriott Marquis San Francisco For all those impacted by OCD and related disorders, mental health professionals, and researchers. The Annual OCD Conference is the […]
Read More >Faith and OCD Conference- Monday, May 8th, 2023
From the IOCDF: Monday, May 8, 2023 | Virtual For individuals and families, faith leaders, and professionals. This unique event began out of recognition that many people living with OCD initially seek assistance from a faith leader prior to a mental health provider. The conference was specifically created to address the needs of a diverse […]
Read More >Interview Questions for a Prospective OCD & Anxiety Specialist- Who Keeps Your Values on the Table
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 […]
Read More >Accepting the Unacceptable in Anxiety and OCD
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 […]
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