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.
Biological Treatments for Religious OCD: How Medication and Supplements Can Help
Biological factors play a significant role in OCD. Understanding how medication and supplements can help manage Religious OCD symptoms is part of embracing the tools God has made available for healing.
Introduction
For Christians struggling with Religious OCD, the idea of taking medication can feel confusing or even uncomfortable. Some may wonder, “Shouldn’t I just pray harder or have more...
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The Impact of Religious OCD on a Believer’s Walk with Christ
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series.
Religious OCD can turn faith into a source of anxiety rather than peace, leading to avoidance, isolation, and spiritual exhaustion. Understanding these effects can help believers reclaim a grace-filled relationship with God.
For Christians, faith is meant to be a source of comfort and strength. However, for those struggling with Religious OCD,...
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Understanding Compulsions in Religious OCD: Why They Form and How They Reinforce the OCD Cycle
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series.
Compulsions feel like they offer relief from anxiety, but in reality, they strengthen the cycle of Religious OCD, making fears more intense and causing faith to feel more like a test of performance rather than a relationship of grace.
Introduction
For someone struggling with Religious OCD, certain rituals or mental exercises can feel...
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Understanding Intrusive Thoughts: Why They Occur and How They Take Root
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series.
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing ideas or images that seem to come out of nowhere. While everyone experiences them, those with Religious OCD often struggle to let them go, fearing they mean something about their faith or morality.
Have you ever had a shocking or disturbing thought pop into your head seemingly...
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How Medication in Marriage Counseling Can Strengthen Relationships
Guest post from Dr. Nick Bach
How Medication in Marriage Counseling Can Strengthen Relationships
As a marriage counselor in Louisville, KY, I’ve spent years helping couples navigate the rocky terrain of their relationships. Some come to me with communication breakdowns, others with deeper struggles that words alone can’t fix.
One tool I’ve seen transform marriages when paired with therapy,...
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Understanding Religious OCD: What It Is and Why It Matters
This blog is part of the Religious OCD Series by Dr. Brian Briscoe.
OCD tends to latch onto what a person holds most dear, turning their deepest values—such as faith—into sources of anxiety and distress.
Introduction
Imagine feeling an overwhelming fear that you’ve unknowingly committed a sin, even though you have done nothing wrong. Or obsessing that a past sin you have committed has not...
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Introducing the Religious OCD Blog Series: A Message from Dr. Brian Briscoe
This article is part of the Religious OCD Series.
As a practicing psychiatrist who holds my Christian faith dear to my heart, I have had the privilege of walking alongside patients through some of their most challenging mental health struggles. In addition to my clinical work, I have served as Chair of the Psychiatry Section of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), where I have...
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Understanding Hypomania in the Spring
For many people with bipolar spectrum disorders, including bipolar II disorder or cyclothymia, the arrival of spring can bring an unexpected challenge—hypomania. Hypomania is a state of elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity levels that can feel productive or even exhilarating at first.
However, if left unmanaged, it can lead to impaired judgment, increased impulsivity, and...
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How to Support a Child Recently Diagnosed with Anxiety
When a child is diagnosed with anxiety, it can be a challenging and emotional time for both the child and their family. Understanding how to support them effectively can make a significant difference in helping them navigate their feelings and manage their anxiety.
Here are some key steps to support a child with an anxiety diagnosis:
1. Educate Yourself and Your Child
The first step in...
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How to Spot the Signs of Depression in Kids
Depression in children can be difficult to recognize, especially since kids often express emotions differently than adults. If you suspect your child may be struggling with depression, it’s crucial to identify the signs early so they can receive the appropriate help.
Here are some key signs of depression to watch for:
1. Persistent Sadness or Irritability
One of the most common signs of...
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