Justin’s Blog: “The Jog”

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 […]

“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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

If you want to recap or you missed the 3rd Annual OCD and Faith Conference (#FaithCon), here are the two presentations we recorded. They are only available through June 2023. The heart of the conference is to provide a diversity of voices with a unified focus on recovery from OCD. Whatever your beliefs are, if […]

I was recently asked in an email: Is it better for me to go with a Christian therapist that specializes in OCD or a non-Christian therapist that is qualified and trained in ERP? I am torn about what is best and don’t want to waste time or money. It’s a simple answer with complex details. […]

I’m speaking at the 3rd Annual Faith & OCD Conference! REGISTER NOW!  FROM THE IOCDF: Navigating OCD in Diverse Faith-Based Communities The IOCDF is excited to present the third annual virtual Faith and OCD Conference on Monday, May 1, 2023! This unique event began out of the recognition that many people living with OCD initially […]

This article is part of a series written for mental health providers treating OCD. It can be found with minor edits on the International OCD Foundation’s Faith & OCD page.  Integrating a person’s faith into their therapy isn’t overly complex- it takes intentionality and care, which, if you are a licensed clinician- you hopefully possess […]

This article is part of a series written for mental health providers treating OCD. It can be found with minor edits on the International OCD Foundation’s Faith & OCD page.  Acknowledge Your Limits- Your Role & The Role of Assessment Therapy is an application of psychological science; it is not a worldview; therefore, it can […]

This article is part of a series written for mental health providers treating OCD. It can be found with minor edits on the International OCD Foundation’s Faith & OCD page.  Extensive Interest by Clinicians After receiving my graduate-level training at Dallas Theological Seminary, I very much took for granted the preparation I was given for […]