Christian Faith and OCD, Scrupulosity, Intrusive Thoughts, Compulsions, ICBT

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Integrative Medicine Mental Health Provider (CMHIMP), and a Board Certified Neurofeedback Provider (BCN).  She is also the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health and Dr. Roseann and Associates.  Dr. Rosean shares with us her knowledge and clinical exper...

This episode is for those who are curious about what it's truly like to be a therapist. People wonder things like, how can you listen to so many people's problems?    Today’s show is also unique because my husband Steve took over my role for a day as a host and prepared the set of questions himself.  It's always fun and exciting to have him both on the show and in my life.   What is...

“I deal with anxiety almost every day at some level. And sometimes it's worse than, or sometimes it's better than other times, but anything to help people understand that they're not alone.” Jeff Allen, a mental health advocate and host of Simple Mental Health Podcast shares his journey through anxiety, how he overcame shame and stigma around seeking help, and taking medication. How...

I had the privilege of interviewing John Stange, a lead pastor, professor, coach, counselor, certified speaker and author. John has written several books and his recent one is called "Dwell On These Things.” Pastor John Stange shares with us his struggles with anxiety and his great wisdom and insight on overcoming negative self-talk through looking at God's perspective toward us. We also...

In this episode, Lola Sodunke of Joy In Purpose Podcast shares her wisdom and insights about self-awareness and how it can lead to a greater connection with God. By listening to our conversation, you will learn about: Self-awareness and its importance Setting boundaries and learning your values and beliefs  Ways you can become self-aware as a Christian  Involving God in your self-awareness process...

I had the privilege of interviewing  Aron Strong, LMFT, a former pastor turned therapist.  Aron talks about how having a healthy theology about God and HIS feelings, helps us understand ourselves as we grow closer to God.   Does God have feelings? What emotions does God feel? The importance of knowing God and understanding His emotions God is for us, not against us Understanding human emotions Why...

Today's special is my good friend, Brittany Dyer, a  Licensed Professional Counselor.  Brittany shares her knowledge and expertise in play therapy.  How does anxiety present in school-aged children? How does childhood anxiety present differently from adult anxiety? Behaviors that may indicate a child has anxiety Anxious parents with anxious children. Things parents can do to help their child...

This episode is for all the women out there who are hoping and praying for a child, for couples who are experiencing fertility issues and for those who are healing from heartbreak over childlessness.  This is a compilation of stories of hope of my friends and different amazing women whom  I interviewed in the podcast: (4:04) Story of  motherhood journey of my best friend, Christin Jasmin Wilson  ...

“OCD has been the gateway to God and grace for me.” Peyton Garland author of Not So By Myself shares her story of OCD and her journey of going to therapy.  After seeing a therapist, her mother and grandmother followed after her and sought professional help for themselves.  Peyton’s experience of contamination OCD  What it was like to go to therapy for the first time  Getting help with brainspottin...

I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Steve Grcevich of Key Ministry.  Dr. Steve is helping churches learn how to minister to people with disabilities including mental health.  He shares about what moved him to begin his mission of connecting churches with families of kids who have physical and mental disabilities.  Different scenarios and social interactions in church that trigger the anxiety i...

Bailee is a local therapist who talks with us about using Equine Assisted Therapy to help with anxiety. We joke about how horses are HIPAA compliant, and I share my story of overcoming my fear of horses.    Bailee’s story about how she became an Equine Assisted Therapist without being a "horse person." What is Equine Assisted Therapy? Different models of Equine Assisted Therapy. How does...

Today, I had the privilege of having not one, but two guests on the show! Alexa Hulsey and Trey Brackman, both licensed acupuncturists came on to talk to us all about acupuncture and how it can be helpful for anxiety among other things.  What is acupuncture and how does it work? What happens during an acupuncture session? Modalities acupuncturist use for patients who feel anxious about acupuncture...

Lindsey Castleman, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist trained in IFS therapy holds the belief that we were all designed for relationship and connection with God, ourselves and others. What is IFS (Internal Family System) Therapy How did Lindsey get into Christian counseling How did she incorporate Christian faith principles into her practice Looking at the core of self through attachment and...

On this episode, I had the privilege of interviewing one of my mentors, Laura Mullis, LCSW Why Laura switched from weekly therapy to intensive sessions Difference between trauma and attachment wounding How attachment wounding contributes to anxiety How receiving love from God causes us to be able to love ourselves Learning to meet unmet needs as an adult. Links and Resources: Laura's website:...

Discussion with Kelly Ehlert, PT, DPT, OCD, COMT, CDNT.  Different messages about sex that can trip women up (moral, medical, media) Common sexual issues in women What is pelvic floor physical therapy and how can it help women? Connection between stress (fight/flight/freeze response) and desire Why we're all normal in our own way Links and Resources: Kelly's PT practice: https://www.iamp...

I had the privilege of interviewing Holley Gerth, author of The Powerful Purpose of Introverts to discuss her own experience of burnout from trying to be an extrovert after becoming a published author. How the introvert brain processes information differently than the extrovert brain Why introverts are more susceptible to anxiety and depression How to communicate to an extrovert who is asking for...

Today I am flying solo to discuss my own experience of learning about Exposure and Response Prevention Prevention and why I ultimately went back to using EMDR to treat OCD.  The reason ERP is so widely recommended for OCD treatment The problem with psychological studies: People are complex  Problems I saw firsthand with ERP Benefits of using EMDR to treat OCD Links and Resources: Exposure and resp...

On this episode, I was able to geek out with on of my favorite colleagues to talk about our favorite therapy: EMDR. Our path to receiving EMDR training What is EMDR? Different types of trauma (little t and big T) Getting to the root of troubling body sensations and How EMDR can be helpful for people with anxiety Links and Resources: Sarah's Counseling Practice: http://www.willowtreecounseling...

Mindfulness is a buzzword in conversations surrounding anxiety. Dr.  Irene Kraegal, writer of The Mindful Christian defines mindfulness in an easy to understand way while explaining how mindfulness fits in with the Christian faith. What is mindfulness?  How to practice mindfulness formally and informally Why you can't go wrong when practicing mindfulness Contemplative streams in Christianity:...

I haven't done any marriage counseling since my internship in graduate school, so I asked my good friend Summer McKinney to be on the show to talk about how you can support your spouse who is struggling with anxiety. She provides some excellent tips such as When is it a good time to pursue marriage counseling? Hint: not when most people do! How to be present for your spouse What they might ne...

On this solo episode, Carrie shares about how to find a therapist who is right for you. Carrie shares her own experience searching for two different counselors and how she made the decisions she did in her search. How to evaluating your personal situation with time, scheduling/location, and budget before beginning the search How to start the online search for a counselor and what to look for Links...

Author Mitzi VanCleve shares her own personal story of experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and OCD and ultimately, how God has used these things for good in her own life. Obsessions Mitzi experienced even as a young child Experiences of mental health stigma from Christians  Learning about panic attacks from a magazine article Mitzi’s experience with scrupulosity OCD Acting as if How she used used...

Are you looking for simple ways to relax and calm down? Often people use things like taking a bath to relax. That’s great, but you don’t always have that much time. Here are some go to strategies that you can use no matter where you are. No extra items or props needed!  Acknowledge the presence of God or Jesus Gratitude Spend time with an animal or at least think about them Connect with your breat...

What happens when pastors are isolated How pain can be a good thing Vulnerability as a gift we give each other How to build a Christian Community Link and Resources: Verses discussed: Ephesians 1, Tim 1:15, James 5:16 Midtown Fellowship, Nashville: https://midtownfellowship.org/ Explore the Empowered Mind: Christian ICBT for OCD: https://carriebock.com/training/  Carrie's services and courses...

Steve and I recorded this show about a month before our wedding. We talk about my anxiety during the dating process and his involvement in helping me work through it.  Anxiety about putting myself out there to date and how that brought me back to therapy  Challenges of Christian dating after a divorce  Accepting the anxiety and difficulty trusting as part of the process of getting closer Advice to...