Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
First Line, Gold Standard Treatment
Though there are many effective therapy treatments to date for a range of issues, CBT comes out as the most researched, most helpful for the widest range of problems, and can be highly personalized.
This triangle reflects no particular order or prioritization.
- A = Affect, or feelings and emotions
- B = Behavior, or actions
- C= Cognition, or thoughts and beliefs
CBT capitalizes on how each of these three domains have strong relationships to each other. The heart of the theory and practice is based on the knowledge that changing one or more of these domains leads to changes in the other. Another way of looking at it is that the more a person lines up their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors with reality, the more they achieve well-being, and many problems can be alleviated.
Exposure Therapy (ET and ERP)
Relevant Videos
Curated to get you started.
What is Exposure Therapy and How Do You Do It?
Exposure therapy can sound intense. What is it? How is it done? Why is it so effective? Justin K Hughes, MA, LPC explains simply an extremely effective FIRST LINE and “GOLD STANDARD” treatment for anxiety disorders and more.
The 4 Types of Exposure Therapy
Exploring the 4 Types of Exposure Therapy- In Vivo, Imaginal, Interoceptive, and Virtual Reality- Justin offers punctual clarity to the approach of how fears that are being treated can be accessed, whether situationally, in one’s thoughts/imagination, through sensations, or a combination.
"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure."
Specially Curated Resources
These are handpicked, referenced in ACTUAL therapy sessions.
(Sorry, I cannot accommodate outside requests to add to resources.)This page may contain affiliate links. This means that some links on this site will produce a small commission from affiliate sites. Read more
Distinguishing Information-Seeking and Reassurance Seeking
This helpful chart is an educational guide separating info-seeking from reassurance.
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Overcoming Unacceptable Thoughts (Houston OCD)
Check out this presentation by several notable clinicians on “overcoming unacceptable thoughts.”
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Relapse Prevention in OCD (Shala Nicely)
“As you go into recovery from OCD, it’s good to keep in mind that relapse
prevention is a process, and living how we want to live requires some
maintenance….”
“May” or “May Not” Exposure Scripting (Shala Nicely)
“…MOMN statements, which are a type of exposure scripting, can be used with any type of OCD content…because OCD is not about the content!”
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Exposure and Desensitization (U of Mich)
“We spoke about sensitization in the section “Anxiety Fuel.” Now we’ll talk
about desensitization, which means we work to make our anxiety alarm less
sensitive, so it doesn’t go off as often or as loudly.”
Facing Your Fears: Exposure (Anxiety BC)
“An important step in managing anxiety involves facing feared situations, places or
objects. It is normal to want to avoid the things you fear. However, avoidance prevents
you from learning that the things you fear are not as dangerous as you think.”
Key Research Articles on Imaginal Exposure (Science Direct)
“Imaginal exposure refers to patients intentionally confronting specific memories….in their imaginations either by verbally describing … or by writing a description…”
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Stopping the Noise In Your Head (Dr. Reid Wilson)
“Dr. Reid Wilson proposes a groundbreaking, paradoxical approach to overcoming anxiety, worry, OCD, panic, and phobias by moving away from comfort, confidence, and security and willingly moving toward uncertainty, distress and discomfort.”
View >From My Blog
Related posts from my blog
“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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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