Next Step Blog
We’re committed to delivering outstanding mental healthcare. Period.
Here at Next Step, we’re extremely passionate about helping you live a better life! Mental health is important for every person at every stage of life.
That’s why we work hard to create courses, videos, books, and other resources to encourage you to take the Next Step toward positive mental health. But if you’re struggling or going through a crisis, asking for professional help is a great idea – and you can do it now! In the meantime, if you read through our blog, you might be pleasantly surprised by the guidance, tips, and strategies from our providers. After all, one step in the right direction is a step in the right direction.
Moving Forward in Hope — A Final Word on Religious OCD
This is the final article in the Religious OCD Series.
Religious OCD can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to define a person’s faith or life. God’s grace is bigger than obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. There is hope, healing, and freedom ahead.
Introduction
If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, you now understand what Religious OCD is, how it manifests, and how...
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How Small Groups Can Support Members Struggling with Religious OCD
This blog is part of the Religious OCD series.
Small groups are meant to be places of encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth. For members struggling with Religious OCD, a small group can either become a source of pressure or a place of healing. Here’s how to help your group be the latter.
Introduction
Small groups play an essential role in the life of the church. They provide...
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How Pastors Can Recognize and Respond to Religious OCD in Their Congregations
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series.
Pastors are often the first to hear the spiritual struggles of their congregants. Recognizing Religious OCD and knowing how to respond with grace and wisdom can prevent misunderstanding and offer hope.
Introduction
As a pastor, you have likely encountered church members who are burdened by deep spiritual anxiety—fearing they have committed the...
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How Parents Can Recognize and Support a Child with Religious OCD
This blog is part of the religious OCD series.
Religious OCD can start in childhood or adolescence. As a parent, knowing how to recognize the signs and offer loving, faith-sensitive support is crucial for helping your child find hope and healing
Introduction
Children and teenagers growing up in Christian homes are often taught the importance of honoring God, obeying Scripture, and living a...
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How to Support a Spouse Struggling with Religious OCD
This article is part of the Religious OCD Series.
Living with a spouse who struggles with Religious OCD can be confusing and overwhelming. Learning how to support them with grace, patience, and practical help can make all the difference.
Introduction
Religious OCD doesn’t just affect the person struggling with it—it impacts marriages and families too. As a spouse, you may feel unsure how...
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5 Subtle Signs It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health
For Yourself or Someone You Love
Not all signs of emotional strain are dramatic. Sometimes the most important clues are the quiet ones — things we brush off, explain away, or power through.
Whether you’re noticing something in yourself or in your child, these subtle signs are worth paying attention to:
1. The joy is gone.
Things that used to bring energy or excitement now feel flat — or...
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Religious OCD: What It Is and How It Can Be Adapted for Christians
This article is part of the Religious OCD series.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard therapy for OCD. But for Christians with Religious OCD, it’s understandable to wonder: Will this therapy conflict with my faith? The good news is that ERP can be thoughtfully adapted to respect biblical convictions while helping break the cycle of fear and compulsion.
Introduction...
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TMS Treatment for OCD: What It Is and How It Can Help
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series.
For those struggling with Religious OCD, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers another promising tool. Understanding how it works can help believers make informed decisions about this treatment as part of God’s provisions for healing.
Introduction
For many Christians with Religious OCD, therapy and medication provide significant help....
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5 Myths That Keep Christians from Getting Help for Mental Health
By Brian Briscoe, M.D.
For many Christians, seeking help for mental health feels like walking a tightrope—trying to honor God, trust Scripture, and yet admit that something feels wrong deep inside. Sadly, far too many believers suffer silently because of well-meaning but misguided beliefs that block them from getting the help they need.
Here are five common myths that keep Christians from...
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ADHD or Anxiety? Untangling the Overlap for Women
Can’t remember why you walked into the room—again? Feel like your mind’s always in overdrive, yet somehow never quite lands on what it’s supposed to? If you’re a woman juggling work, family, and expectations, you may have started to wonder: Is this anxiety? ADHD? Both? And why does it feel like nobody else is struggling quite this much?
You’re not imagining things—and you’re not alone. Many...
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