Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”
120+ Articles Driven by Research and Practice
The Peace of Christ: Effective Ways to Overcome Anxiety and OCD [Free Webinar this week only]
This Friday! Join us for a webinar by The Mental Health Grace Alliance. The Peace of Christ: Effective Ways to Overcome Anxiety and OCD Apr 25, 2025 10:00 AM CST Click HERE to sign up now! “In this powerful webinar, licensed professional counselor (LPC, MA) Justin Hughes will explore how anxiety and OCD affect […]
Read More >Danny Gokey Breaks Silence Over His Struggle with Scrupulosity!
Popular recording artist Danny Gokey recently shared his battle with OCD (scrupulosity), AD/HD, trauma, and depression. This comes as Braden Smith (Offensive Tackle for the Indianapolis Colts) recently detailed his severe struggle with OCD. I hope you are encouraged to hear stories that make tangible the 3% of those who have (or will have) OCD […]
Read More >Going for 50 Rejections
I heard a phrase recently that goes something like this: If you knew you had to fail 20 times before you succeeded, how fast would you want to fail? Oof. That is hard to accept when something is essential. The sentiment is to take action, and the realization is that success is rarely on a […]
Read More >Trauma and OCD—Getting the Facts Straight
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 […]
Read More >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 >“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 >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 >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 >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 >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 >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 […]
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