Christian Faith and OCD, Scrupulosity, Intrusive Thoughts, Compulsions, Peace
Christian Faith and OCD: Practical Strategies to Greater Peace Do you constantly worry about "what-if" scenarios and obsess about things you can't control? Are you frustrated with performing the same compulsions over and over and wish you could find freedom? Do you struggle to find OCD resources that understand or align with your Christian faith? You’re in the right place. This podcast will help you connect with God’s peace by learning practical skills leading you out of the OCD mental prison and walking in the freedom God has for you. Hi! I’m Carrie Bock, Christ follower, wife, mom and Licensed Professional Counselor. For years, I worried about the future as I struggled to trust God with what was next. I was constantly grasping for control over my life and internally feeling a sense of shame of not being good enough. I tried to pray, read my Bible, and work really hard to be the perfect Christian. When my first husband asked for a divorce, I had no choice, but to acknowledge how much was out of my control and how much of Christianity wasn’t about following a formula, but following a living God. As God brought other areas of uncertainty in my life (physical pain, pregnancy complications, and a husband with a rare neurological condition), he gave me the gift of learning to be present with Him. This allowed me to let go of past regret and future worries, so I could move forward into the abundant life Jesus promises. I kept working with more and more Christians with OCD who were frustrated that they couldn't find Christian resources to help them. I developed customized tools to help them, and I'm so excited to share everything I've learned with you! If you’re ready to get out of the endless prison of the obsessive compulsive loop without compromising your convictions, this podcast is for you! So, walk away from the google search bar, take a deep breath, and let’s journey together towards greater peace.
Episodes
In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up our Personal Story Summer Series with Michael Kier, author of Waging War Against OCD: A Christian Approach. Michael shares his honest journey through scrupulosity, intrusive thoughts, and how grace—not striving—transformed his view of God and mental health.
Episode Highlights:
What it’s like to live with scrupulosity (religious OCD) from childhood into adulthood
How ...
As part of the Personal Story Summer Series, we’re bringing back Carrie’s powerful conversation with Amber Williams Van Zuyen, who shares her journey through harm OCD, intrusive thoughts, and the difficult decision to take medication during pregnancy. Amber’s story is relatable, faith-filled, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the struggle.
Plus, don’t miss Carrie’s upcoming live webinar Calming the Inner Chaos: Tips ...
In this episode, Carrie revisits a powerful conversation with author Peyton Garland, who shares her journey through OCD, scrupulosity, and anxiety while holding onto her Christian faith.
Episode Highlights:
-The emotional weight of growing up in a culture where therapy was viewed as weakness,
-The spiritual confusion and fear that can accompany OCD in rigid religious environments
-How finding a diagnosis provided c...
In this episode, Carrie responds to the International OCD Foundation’s newly released 2024 treatment guidelines. She offers a therapist’s take on the updates, and what they mean for Christians navigating OCD.
Episode Highlights:
What the IOCDF’s updated 2024 treatment guidelines mean for OCD care, and why this shift matters.
How Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) compares to newer approaches lik...
In this episode, Carrie speaks with Virginia-based therapist Stephanie Smith about her personal and professional journey with OCD, including how it intersected with her Christian faith. They explore the development of scrupulosity, the healing impact of ICBT, and the importance of separating OCD’s voice from the truth of God’s grace.
Episode Highlights:
Stephanie’s personal journey with OCD, beginning in childhood and ...
As part of our ongoing OCD Personal Story series, Carrie sits down with Amber Vetitoe who bravely shares her lifelong battle with undiagnosed OCD—from early childhood fears to the heavy weight of scrupulosity and health anxiety—and the healing journey that unfolded through faith, perseverance, and the right therapeutic support.
Episode Highlights:
How OCD can go undiagnosed for years, masquerading as panic a...
As part of the OCD Personal Story Summer Series, Carrie shares a special re-airing of her powerful conversation with bestselling author Stormie Omartian—beloved for The Power of a Praying Wife, Parent, Husband, and other transformative books on prayer. While this isn’t a traditional OCD story, it speaks deeply to anyone who’s carried the weight of trauma, emotional pain, or the lasting impact of growing up with a parent battling se...
In this episode, Carrie welcomes fellow therapist Heather Vignali to share her personal journey with OCD, including how symptoms emerged during a major life transition—and how ICBT, EMDR, and her Christian faith played a role in her healing.
Episode Highlights:
The ways OCD impacted Heather’s life, including obsessive safety concerns and compulsive monitoring of her daughter.
What “anxiety tongue” is and ...
In Episode 176 of Christian Faith and OCD, Carrie kicks off a new series of personal stories from individuals who have struggled with OCD by revisiting an early and powerful interview with Mitzi VanCleve. Mitzi shares her decades-long journey with OCD, including early symptoms, spiritual struggles, and finally finding hope through proper diagnosis.
Episode Highlights:
How OCD can begin in early childhood...
In this episode, Carrie shares how integrating ICBT and EMDR creates a powerful, personalized approach to treating OCD. She explains how these therapies work together to address both the cognitive and nervous system components of healing through a Christ-centered lens.
Episode Highlight:
Why EMDR is more than just trauma treatment and how it targets the nervous system for healing
How ICBT helps identify and r...
In this episode, Carrie explores whether Inference-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) is a good fit for individuals struggling with OCD—especially those who haven’t found success with exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Episode Highlights:
The key differences between ERP and ICBT, and why ICBT may be a better fit for certain individuals with OCD.
How ICBT helps unpack the reasoning ...
In this episode, Carrie sits down with Angela Henry, LCSW, a therapist in private practice based in Northern Indiana, to discuss her journey into OCD treatment, the integration of faith in therapy, and how Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) is transforming lives—especially for Christians struggling with OCD and scrupulosity.
Episode Highlights:
What the “feared possible self” is and how it’s quietly sh...
In this episode, Carrie dives into the true meaning of self-care—going far beyond bubble baths and downtime. She shares her personal journey through a challenging season, exploring how soul care, healthy boundaries, and physical wellness play essential roles in managing life and faith with OCD.
Episode Highlights
Why soul care must come before any other kind of self-care—and how your connection with God fuels eve...
In this episode, Carrie dives into the unexpected risks of feeling better when dealing with OCD. While it may seem like a positive step forward, there are some potential challenges that can arise as recovery progresses.
Episode Highlights:
The risk of thinking OCD will magically disappear without continued engagement in treatment.
How feeling better might make it difficult to connect with your true s...
In this episode of Christian Faith and OCD, Carrie explores the tough question many wrestle with: “Is it my parents’ fault I have OCD?” She explores the impact of nature versus nurture in mental health, especially how family dynamics and upbringing shape our experiences with OCD.
Episode Highlights:
How rigid and overly controlled upbringings can contribute to OCD tendencies.
Why the messages you heard (...
In today’s episode, Carrie sits down with Christian entrepreneur Erick Vargas to discuss the growing issue of cell phone addiction and how we can set better boundaries with our technology. Erick shares his personal journey with phone addiction, the impact it had on his life, and how he created Sabbath Space—an app designed to help people disconnect and reclaim their time.
Episode Highlights:
The reality of tech ad...
In this episode, Carrie wraps up the themes and treatment series with a discussion on Just Right OCD, a condition where individuals feel compelled to arrange or organize objects in specific ways to achieve a sense of "rightness.”
Episode Highlights:
What Just Right OCD is and how it impacts daily routines and relationships.
The difference between Just Right OCD and perfectionism.
<...
Join Carrie as she continues the Themes and Treatment series, offering insight into the different treatment options available for OCD.
In today’s episode, Carrie welcomes special guest Madasen McGrath-Wilson, an associate marriage and family therapist and associate professional clinical counselor in California, to discuss an intensive treatment option: Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP).
Highlights:
Ho...
In this episode, Carrie sits down with Brittany Braswell, a registered dietitian and host of Faith Filled Food Freedom podcast, to discuss a specific type of restricted eating that can be seen with OCD: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
Episode Highlights:
-The connection between OCD and disordered eating behaviors.
-What ARFID is and how it differs from other eating disorders.
-How OCD behavi...
In this episode, Carrie talks about Relationship OCD and how it distorts normal relationship doubts into obsessive thoughts. She shares valuable insights and practical tools for overcoming ROCD while maintaining faith in God’s plan for your relationships.
Episode Highlights:
-How Relationship OCD (ROCD) impacts relationships and leads to constant doubt and reassurance-seeking behaviors.
-The connection be...
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