Religious OCD series Archives - Next Step 4 Mental Health

TMS Treatment for OCD: What It Is and How It Can Help

by nextstep4adhdJune 13, 2025 OCD, Religious OCD Series0 comments

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. But for some, these treatments may not bring sufficient relief. When that happens, it’s natural to feel discouraged or even question God’s help.

Yet, God often provides multiple avenues for healing, and for some, TMS can be one of those avenues.
TMS is a safe, non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in OCD.

It has become a valuable option for individuals whose symptoms have not adequately responded to traditional therapies and medications.

What Is TMS?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a gentle, non-invasive procedure that involves placing a magnetic coil near the scalp, delivering small, focused magnetic pulses to areas of the brain known to be involved in obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

The treatment is typically given in daily sessions over the course of several weeks and is designed to help the brain function in a more balanced way.

Non-Invasive – There are no medications or sedation involved, and patients remain awake during treatment.
FDA-Approved for OCD – TMS has been shown to reduce symptoms in patients who have not responded well to first-line treatments.
Minimal Side Effects in most cases – The most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort or headaches during or shortly after treatment. The treatment itself is painless; patients simply sit comfortably during the sessions, often reading a book or watching TV during the treatment session.

How Does TMS Help with Religious OCD?

OCD, including scrupulosity, involves hyperactivity in certain brain circuits that process fear, doubt, and uncertainty. TMS targets these areas, helping to reset and calm overactive brain activity.
Improving Thought Regulation – TMS can help reduce the intrusive thoughts and mental noise that often plague those with OCD.

Reducing Compulsive Urges – By calming hyperactive areas, TMS can lessen the strong drive to perform compulsions.
Should Christians Consider TMS?

It’s understandable that some Christians may hesitate to consider brain-based treatments. However, it’s important to recognize that TMS does not alter who you are; rather, it helps restore balance to areas of the brain that are not functioning as they should.

God, in His grace, has allowed advancements in science and medicine. Treatments like TMS can be part of His provision for healing.

Questions to Pray Over and Discuss with Your Doctor

Am I experiencing severe, persistent symptoms that limit my daily life and walk with Christ?
Have I consulted with a qualified healthcare provider to understand the risks and benefits?

Encouragement from Scripture

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This reminds us that in all decisions, especially regarding treatment, we can bring our concerns to God and trust Him to provide peace and guidance.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will look at Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy—the gold standard for treating OCD—and how it can be thoughtfully adapted for believers with Religious OCD.

More on that next week…

For Kentucky Residents

If you live in Kentucky and are seeking support for religious OCD or scrupulosity, our team at Next Step 4 Mental Health in Louisville is here to help. We offer compassionate, evidence-based care—both in-person and through telehealth—for children, teens, and adults.

nextstep.doctor
502-339-2442
contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

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Biological Treatments for Religious OCD: How Medication and Supplements Can Help

by nextstep4adhdMay 30, 2025 OCD, Religious OCD Series0 comments

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 faith?” But just as we use glasses to help with vision or casts to heal broken bones, medication can be one of God’s provisions to help those struggling with OCD. Recognizing that mental health conditions often have biological components allows us to approach treatment with both wisdom and humility.

The Role of Medication in Treating OCD

Research shows that medications, particularly certain types of antidepressants known as SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), can significantly reduce OCD symptoms. These medications help regulate brain chemistry and reduce the intensity and frequency of obsessive thoughts and compulsions.

What to Expect – Medications typically reduce symptoms by around 30-40%. Some individuals experience more improvement; others may need additional support through therapy.
Patience Is Key – OCD medications often take 8-12 weeks to show full effects and may require adjustments in dosage.
Common Medications – Examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and clomipramine (Anafranil).
Medication Is Not a Lack of Faith – Taking medication is not about spiritual weakness; it’s using a tool that God has allowed us to discover for physical and mental health.

A Story to Remember

There’s a well-known story of a man caught in a hurricane, standing on his rooftop, praying for God to save him. Soon, a neighbor arrives with a truck and offers help, but the man declines, saying, “I’m waiting for God to save me.” Later, a rescue boat comes by, but again he refuses. Finally, a helicopter arrives, and once more, he turns down the rescue. The man eventually drowns, and when he reaches heaven, he asks God why He didn’t save him. God responds, “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter.”

In the same way, God often provides help through practical means — doctors, medication, therapy, and community support. Ignoring these tools while hoping for a different form of deliverance can mean missing the very provision God has lovingly placed in front of us.

Supplements That May Help

While supplements should never replace prescribed treatments, some may provide additional support:

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) – Some studies suggest that NAC, an antioxidant, may help reduce obsessive thoughts.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – These have been linked to improved mood and brain health.

Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements. These supplements have been studied as adjunctive treatments alongside SSRIs, but on their own, they are likely not very effective in treating OCD.

Combining Biological Treatments with Faith and Therapy

Medication and supplements are not standalone cures but part of a broader treatment plan. When combined with therapy—particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—and a grace-based understanding of faith, they can make a world of difference.

Prayerfully Consider Treatment – Seek wisdom, talk with trusted Christian counselors or medical professionals, and pray for discernment.
Lean on Scripture – Remember passages like James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Trust God’s Provision – Whether it’s medication, therapy, or community support, all good things come from His hand.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will explore TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and its role in treating OCD, including how it may help those for whom medications and therapy have not provided sufficient relief.

For Kentucky Residents

nextstep.doctor

502-339-2442

contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

Learn More

Understanding Compulsions in Religious OCD: Why They Form and How They Reinforce the OCD Cycle

by nextstep4adhdMay 16, 2025 OCD0 comments

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 absolutely necessary to keep their faith intact or prevent spiritual disaster. These compulsions often take the form of compulsive or ritualistic prayer, repeated confessions, or seeking reassurance from pastors or loved ones. While these actions may seem like acts of devotion, they are actually responses to intrusive thoughts—desperate attempts to quiet the anxiety that comes with them. Unfortunately, these compulsions only provide temporary relief and ultimately reinforce the obsessive-compulsive cycle.

Understanding how compulsions work and why they perpetuate Religious OCD is key to breaking free from this exhausting cycle and reclaiming a healthy, grace-filled relationship with God.

What Are Compulsions?

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to an intrusive thought. In the context of Religious OCD, these compulsions are driven by fear rather than genuine worship or devotion. Some common compulsions in Religious OCD include:

Compulsive or ritualistic prayer – Feeling the need to pray repeatedly to ensure God has truly heard or accepted a prayer.
Repeated confessions – Continually confessing the same sin out of fear that it wasn’t done “correctly” or sincerely enough.
Scripture checking – Repeatedly looking up certain Bible verses to confirm one’s salvation or to counter intrusive thoughts.
Seeking reassurance – Asking pastors, friends, or family members for constant confirmation that one is saved or has not committed an unforgivable sin.
Avoidance behaviors – Steering clear of certain religious discussions, scriptures, or places out of fear that they will trigger anxiety.
Mental review – Replaying past actions or thoughts over and over to ensure that no sin was committed.

Why Do Compulsions Form?

Compulsions are an attempt to neutralize or relieve the anxiety caused by intrusive thoughts. The problem is that while they may provide temporary relief, they actually reinforce the fear. Here’s how the cycle works:

Intrusive Thought – A distressing thought enters the mind (e.g., “What if I didn’t pray sincerely enough?”).
Anxiety Increases – The thought triggers deep fear, leading to distress and uncertainty.
Compulsion Performed – The person engages in a ritual to ease the fear (e.g., repeating the prayer multiple times).
Temporary Relief – Anxiety subsides for a short while, reinforcing the belief that the compulsion “worked.”
Reinforcement of OCD Cycle – Over time, the brain learns that relief only comes from performing the compulsion, making the obsession stronger and more intrusive.

This cycle traps the individual in an ongoing struggle, where compulsions are relied upon more and more to manage anxiety, rather than trust in God’s grace and sufficiency.

What Does the Bible Say About This Struggle?

Scripture encourages believers to trust in God’s grace rather than rely on their own efforts for assurance. Jesus Himself reassures us that following Him should not be an unbearable burden:

Matthew 6:7

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

This verse reminds us that endless repetition does not make a prayer more effective or sincere in God’s eyes.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This passage reminds us that Jesus does not intend for His followers to live in constant fear and exhaustion but rather in the peace of His grace. If you struggle with feeling this peace, know that it does not mean you are failing—God’s grace is still at work, even when feelings of anxiety persist.

These passages encourage a trust-based relationship with God rather than one driven by fear and endless attempts at spiritual perfection.

Breaking Free from Compulsions

Recognizing and resisting compulsions is a critical step in overcoming Religious OCD. Some helpful strategies include:

Identifying Compulsions – Pay attention to behaviors done out of fear rather than genuine devotion.
Reducing Rituals Gradually – If you feel the urge to pray multiple times for reassurance, try stopping at one and sitting with the discomfort.
Resisting Reassurance-Seeking – Instead of asking others for constant reassurance, remind yourself of God’s promises in Scripture.
Accepting Uncertainty – Recognizing that faith involves trusting in God’s grace, even when feelings of certainty are absent.
Seeking Professional Help – A Christian counselor or therapist trained in OCD treatment can help guide you through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will explore how Religious OCD affects a believer’s walk with Christ, including how it can lead to avoidance, isolation, and spiritual exhaustion.

More on that next week…

For Kentucky Residents

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

Learn More

Understanding Intrusive Thoughts: Why They Occur and How They Take Root

by nextstep4adhdMay 9, 2025 Christian perspectives on Mental Health Psychiatry and Psychology, OCD0 comments

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 at random? Maybe an offensive thought about God, an irrational fear that you’ve committed a terrible sin, or an image that feels completely out of character for you? Most people experience occasional intrusive thoughts, but for those with Religious OCD, these thoughts can become overwhelming and deeply distressing.

Instead of dismissing them as random mental noise, a person with Religious OCD may believe these thoughts are spiritually significant or revealing of their true nature. This misunderstanding can lead to anxiety, endless rumination, and compulsive behaviors aimed at proving or disproving the thought’s meaning.

What Are Intrusive Thoughts?

Intrusive thoughts are involuntary and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that enter a person’s mind unexpectedly. They are often distressing because they seem to contradict a person’s values or beliefs.

Some common examples of intrusive thoughts in Religious OCD include:

Blasphemous thoughts about God or Jesus
Fear of having committed the unforgivable sin
Doubts about one’s salvation that feel impossible to resolve
Unwanted thoughts of saying or doing something sinful
Obsessing that one could or will do something sinful
Visions of inappropriate or irreverent actions in a sacred space

It’s important to understand that intrusive thoughts do not reflect a person’s true desires or character. They are simply a byproduct of how the brain processes information and handles uncertainty.

Why Do Intrusive Thoughts Occur?

The human brain is designed to generate thoughts constantly, many of which are irrelevant or nonsensical. However, the brain of a person with OCD tends to attach undue significance to certain thoughts, interpreting them as threats that require immediate attention.

A few key reasons why intrusive thoughts take root in Religious OCD:

Hyper-Responsibility – The belief that one must control or eliminate all sinful thoughts to be right with God.
Thought-Action Fusion – The mistaken belief that having a thought is morally equivalent to acting on it.
Intolerance of Uncertainty – The need for absolute certainty in one’s salvation or spiritual standing.
Attempts to Suppress Thoughts – The harder one tries to push intrusive thoughts away, the more persistent they become.

Understanding these mechanisms can help individuals begin to challenge their reactions to intrusive thoughts and reduce their power.

What Does the Bible Say About Intrusive Thoughts?

Scripture acknowledges that believers will face distressing thoughts and temptations but reassures us that these do not define our faith. Consider Paul’s words in Romans 7:19:

“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

Even faithful Christians experience struggles in their thoughts, yet God’s grace remains sufficient.

Additionally, 2 Corinthians 10:5 encourages believers to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” This does not mean obsessively monitoring or controlling every thought but rather recognizing that intrusive thoughts are not sinful in themselves—they are simply thoughts. While human nature is fallen and imperfect, it is our response to these thoughts that matters spiritually. Through God’s grace, believers can learn to approach unwanted thoughts with wisdom and reliance on His truth.

How to Respond to Intrusive Thoughts

Instead of engaging in compulsions like excessive praying, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance, a healthier response to intrusive thoughts includes:

Recognizing Them as Intrusive – Acknowledge that these thoughts are unwanted and do not define you.
Allowing Them to Exist – Instead of pushing them away, observe them without reacting.
Refusing to Engage – Avoid analyzing or trying to prove or disprove the thought.
Trusting God’s Grace – Remind yourself that your faith is not dependent on perfect thought control.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will explore the nature of compulsions in Religious OCD—why they form, how they reinforce the OCD cycle, and healthier ways to address them.

More on that next week…

For Kentucky Residents

📍 nextstep.doctor

📞 502-339-2442

📧 contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

Learn More

Understanding Religious OCD: What It Is and Why It Matters

by nextstep4adhdMay 1, 2025 Christian perspectives on Mental Health Psychiatry and Psychology, OCD, Religious OCD Series0 comments

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 been forgiven, even though you have accepted Christ and know that in Him all sins are forgiven. You pray repeatedly, seeking reassurance from God, yet the fear does not go away. You confess the same sin over and over, but relief never lasts. Instead, doubt creeps back in, stronger than before. This is the reality for many individuals suffering from Religious OCD, also known as scrupulosity.

What Is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to relieve distress. These compulsions offer temporary relief but ultimately reinforce the obsessive cycle, making the problem worse over time.

What Is Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)?

OCD obsessions and compulsions tend to center around the things that people care about the most. For some, OCD manifests as overwhelming fears about harm coming to their child. For others, it revolves around fears of contamination or illness. In many cases, OCD latches onto what a person holds most dear. Religious OCD occurs when these obsessive fears and compulsions creep into a person’s religious or spiritual life, distorting their faith experience and turning it into a source of distress rather than peace.

Religious OCD, or scrupulosity, is a subtype of OCD in which a person experiences excessive worry about religious or moral matters. Because faith is so central to a believer’s identity, OCD may distort genuine devotion into an exhausting cycle of fear, doubt, and compulsive reassurance-seeking. Common fears include:

Doubting one’s salvation
Fear of committing the unforgivable sin
Worrying that thoughts themselves are sinful
Repeatedly seeking reassurance from pastors or loved ones
Feeling compelled to engage in excessive prayer, confession, or ritualistic behaviors

While it is natural for Christians to care about living righteously, scrupulosity takes these concerns to an extreme, leading to distress and interfering with one’s ability to experience God’s love and grace.

A Story of Religious OCD in Action

Let’s take a look at a hypothetical case:

Sarah is a devoted Christian who deeply desires to follow God. Her faith is one of the most important aspects of her life, making it a prime target for OCD-related fears. She begins experiencing persistent thoughts that she might have unknowingly blasphemed the Holy Spirit. These thoughts terrify her. She starts praying compulsively, asking God for forgiveness hundreds of times a day. She seeks reassurance from her pastor, who tells her she hasn’t committed the unforgivable sin, but the doubt returns almost immediately. Instead of feeling peace, Sarah feels trapped in an exhausting cycle of fear and rituals.

Sarah’s story reflects the struggle of many believers with Religious OCD. Instead of drawing closer to God, their faith becomes a battleground of relentless doubt and anxiety. What she values most—her faith—has become a source of distress rather than comfort.

Why This Matters

Scripture reminds us that God’s love is steadfast, and our salvation is secured through faith in Christ:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Recognizing that salvation is based on God’s grace—not our ability to achieve certainty—can help free those trapped in the cycle of Religious OCD.

Many people suffering from scrupulosity believe their distress is a sign of spiritual failure. However, Religious OCD is not a lack of faith—it is a mental health condition. Recognizing this distinction is crucial for those who struggle and for pastors, family members, and church communities who seek to support them. Understanding that OCD preys on what is most important to an individual can help sufferers, and those who support them, approach this struggle with compassion and clarity.

What’s Next?

In the next article, we will dive deeper into the nature of intrusive thoughts, why they occur, and how they take root in the mind.

More on that next week…

For Kentucky Residents

📍 nextstep.doctor

📞 502-339-2442

📧 contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider for appropriate care.

Learn More

Introducing the Religious OCD Blog Series: A Message from Dr. Brian Briscoe

by nextstep4adhdApril 25, 2025 Christian perspectives on Mental Health Psychiatry and Psychology, OCD0 comments

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 had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who share both clinical expertise and a heart for ministry.

Over many years of practice, and through numerous conversations with colleagues from CMDA, I have recognized a significant gap in both academic literature and church resources addressing Religious OCD, also known as scrupulosity. Despite being a deeply impactful condition, Religious OCD remains largely misunderstood and under-discussed. Individuals who struggle with this form of OCD — along with their families and church communities — often find themselves navigating these difficulties in isolation and confusion.

This blog series was created in the hope of helping to change that.

Why This Series?

The goal of this twelve-article series is to provide clear, accessible, and theologically sensitive educational material that can:

Support individuals who are personally struggling with Religious OCD — offering them hope, understanding, and practical tools.
Equip pastors and church leaders — helping them recognize and respond wisely to congregants facing these struggles.
Guide family members and loved ones — enabling them to support their spouses, children, or friends with compassion and understanding.

Disclaimer: Although I am a medical doctor, the content in these articles is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental health condition. These reflections are offered for educational purposes only—to support individuals who are suffering, as well as their families and church communities, in understanding scrupulosity and religious OCD with clarity and compassion.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with OCD or a related condition, please seek care from a licensed mental health provider who can offer appropriate evaluation and support.

My Writing Process

Creating this series has been a careful and deliberate process. I began by developing a detailed outline, organizing the key issues that I believe need to be addressed. Then, I wrote down what I felt needed to be communicated based on my clinical experience and expertise, and fleshed out those ideas in rough form. To help craft the initial drafts of each article, I utilized a large language model (LLM), allowing this tool to assist in generating cohesive, structured drafts based on my outlines, content, and direction.

However, this was just the starting point. I approached each draft from the LLM as a sculptor approaches raw stone — carefully chiseling away, refining, and reshaping the material until I found a final product that struck the right balance between clinical accuracy, theological sensitivity, and readability for a lay audience.

Why Use Large Language Models?

The process of writing is time-intensive, involving multiple drafts, careful word selection, thoughtful phrasing, and attention to grammar. As a busy clinician, I simply don’t have the luxury of dedicating that level of time and focus to each article. Still, I remain committed to educating the public on topics that I believe matter deeply.

Large language models have become valuable tools that help transform complex thoughts into structured drafts, assisting with much of the technical refinement. That said, I approached using this technology with some caution. As a history major from a liberal arts college — and the son of an English teacher — I deeply value the craftsmanship of writing. While I miss the time to fully immerse myself in that process, I’ve found that LLMs can be a tremendous aid for busy clinicians, provided we carefully review, revise, and shape the final product to ensure accuracy and integrity.

A Final Word

I hope this blog series will serve as a resource for those who are suffering, for the pastors who shepherd them, and for the families who love and support them. My prayer is that it will help bring clarity, encouragement, and practical guidance where there has previously been silence or confusion.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.
— Dr. Brian Briscoe

Series Overview

This blog series is designed to be comprehensive and approachable, offering twelve articles that each address a different aspect of Religious OCD. The topics include:

What Religious OCD Is and Why It Happens
Understanding Intrusive Thoughts in a Christian Context
Compulsions in Religious OCD and How They Reinforce Anxiety
How Religious OCD Affects a Believer’s Walk with Christ
Biological Treatments: Medication and Supplements
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) as a Treatment Option
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy and How It Can Be Adapted for Christians
Supporting a Spouse Who Struggles with Religious OCD
How Parents Can Recognize and Support a Child with Religious OCD
Guidance for Pastors: Recognizing and Responding with Wisdom
How Small Groups Can Support Members Struggling with Religious OCD
Moving Forward in Hope: A Final Word

Each article has been crafted to offer clinical accuracy paired with compassionate, faith-sensitive guidance. My hope is that readers will find both clarity and encouragement, whether they are sufferers themselves, loved ones, or church leaders seeking to shepherd well.

For Kentucky Residents

nextstep.doctor

502-339-2442

contactus@nextstep.doctor

For Those Outside Kentucky

If you’re not a Kentucky resident, we encourage you to seek care from a licensed mental health provider in your area. Professional support can be a vital step toward healing and peace.

Learn More