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
198 episodes
196. Healthy Perspective on Sex Series: How Do I Recover from Purity Culture?
In this episode, Carrie launches the Healthy Perspectives on Sex Series, opening up about her personal journey of recovering from purity culture and how its messages shaped her faith, identity, and view of sexuality. She also explores how purit...
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27:19
195. Five Things We Learned in the First 5 Years of Marriage
In this episode, Carrie and her husband Steve celebrate their 5th anniversary by sharing 5 lessons they’ve learned in marriage—practical insights shaped by parenting, challenges, and everyday life, all while keeping Christ at the center of thei...
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25:51
194. Getting Insurance to Pay for OCD Therapy with Joe Feldman of Cover My Mental Health
In this episode of Christian Faith and OCD, Carrie is joined by Joe Feldman, founder of Cover My Mental Health, who shares his family’s battle with insurance companies and how that experience led to creating free resources that help others get ...
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31:34
193. When Colors and Numbers are Bad: Associations OCD Makes
In this episode, Carrie shares how our brains link colors, numbers, and events in ways that can trigger OCD. She offers relatable stories and practical tools to help break these patterns.Episode Highlights:How everyday experienc...
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17:38
192. What I Wish Pastors Knew About OCD with Rachel Kuchem Woodward, LCSW
Carrie is joined by Rachel Kuchem Woodward, LCSW, a therapist with lived experience of OCD, to discuss how pastors can better support those who struggle through insights on discipleship, treatment, shame, and spiritual warfare.Episode Hi...
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32:16
191. Can't Let Go of Your Stuff? The Stories and Emotions that Keep You Hoarding
In this episode, Carrie explores the hidden stories and emotions that make letting go of items so difficult. Drawing from conference insights and personal experiences, she shares practical wisdom to help anyone declutter and create a home that ...
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21:34
190. Dealing with Uncertainty and Why We Stopped Praying for a Miracle with Steve and Carrie Bock
In this heartfelt episode, Carrie sits down with her husband Steve to talk about one of life’s hardest challenges: living with uncertainty. They dive into what it looks like to live with faith, peace, and joy in the face of an unpredictable fut...
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27:11
189. Are You Stuck Working Too Much?
In this episode, Carrie explores the link between overworking and OCD, sharing warning signs of burnout and offering biblical wisdom and practical strategies for balance, rest, and healthy boundaries.Episode Highlights:How ov...
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34:07
188. Stop Fighting Reality: How Radical Acceptance Might be the Key
In this episode, Carrie goes “off script” to explore a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill—radical acceptance—and why it’s a powerful tool for Christians navigating OCD, grief, and life’s hard realities.Episode Highlights:
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17:32
187. Is it Time To Get a New Therapist?
In this episode, Carrie explores how to recognize when it might be time to move on from your therapist. She unpacks both major red flags and quieter signs that the fit isn’t right, offering practical, faith-based insight for clients, loved ones...
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29:50
186. Recognizing and Recovering From All or Nothing Thinking
In this episode, Carrie explores how to identify and overcome all-or-nothing thinking, a common challenge for those with OCD. She offers practical strategies for developing flexible thinking to foster peace and recovery.Episode Highligh...
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17:26
185. What Does It Mean to Take This Thought Captive? What About Intrusive Thoughts?
In this episode, Carrie unpacks what it really means to take a thought captive and why that verse can feel confusing for Christians navigating OCD. She brings biblical clarity, challenges common misconceptions, and shares a more grace-filled wa...
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19:37
184. From Questioning God's Will to Embracing Grace: A Personal Story with Michael Kheir
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 stri...
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38:47
183. Deciding to Take OCD Medication During Pregnancy: A Personal Story with Amber Williams Van Zuyen
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 pre...
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28:28
182. Breaking Family Silence and Stigma by Seeking Therapy: Personal Story with Peyton Garland
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 emotio...
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29:42
181. My Response to the Updated IOCF's Treatment Recommendations
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...
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33:15
180. A Pastor's Daughter Struggles with Scrupulosity: A Personal Story with Stephanie Smith, LPC
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 ...
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27:18
179. She Didn't Give Up on Getting Help: Personal Story with Amber Vetitoe
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 ...
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42:27
178. Abuse Survivor Delivered from Fear and Unforgiveness: Personal Story with Stormie Omartian
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...
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33:45
177. Being Diagnosed with OCD Later in Life: A Personal Story wtih Heather Vignali
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.
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31:03
176. OCD From a Young Age: Personal story with Mitzi VanCleve Episode
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 w...
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28:47
175. Why Combining ICBT and EMDR Is So Powerful for OCD Treatment
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 throug...
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24:34
174. Is ICBT Right for Me? How Do I Know?
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).
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27:33
173. Who Are You Really? Discovering Your Real Self with Angela Henry, LCSW
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 T...
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28:24
172. What Does Self-Care as a Christian with OCD look like?
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 e...
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26:56