Mindset | Blog

Hearing about gratitude and joy can sometimes deepen your feelings of gloom, especially if you’re facing emotional and mental health challenges. You may find yourself asking: “Why do others seem so happy? Why do they appear to manage life better than I do? Don’t they have their own struggles? Am I the only one feeling this way?” When grappling with issues like depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, perfectionism, or other conditions, it can be tough to focus on life’s positive aspects. Although it may feel isolating, remember that you are not alone! The stigma surrounding mental health issues persists, often making you feel like you’re alone in your challenges because few people discuss them openly—especially when unpleasant

After Sally’s clinician conducted a comprehensive assessment of her clinical condition, she said, “Your symptoms suggest that your challenges are linked to religious scrupulosity OCD.” Sally’s immediate response was, “I’d rather have a faith crisis than OCD!” Sally’s reaction was completely understandable amidst the enduring stigma and misconceptions surrounding OCD. It was natural for her to feel upset and overwhelmed, and the next step was for her to decide whether to pursue therapy or take a different path. Can you relate to Sally’s predicament? When doubts arise, has your mind ever hinted that they might be linked to a faith crisis? When individuals are deeply devoted to thei

When Brett was young, he would frantically search his pockets, desk, and backpack whenever someone in his school class complained of missing money, doubting himself and worrying if he was to blame for others’ misfortunes. Growing up, his family was strict not only about following rules but also about faith. Despite his efforts to be “good,” he felt like he always fell short. By the time he finished high school, his anxiety and guilt were weighing heavily on him. It wasn’t until later that he and his family realized these feelings were related to OCD. Upon starting college, Brett decided to break away from his family’s rules and religion, seeking a sense of freedom. However, feelings of guilt and anxi

By Kathleen Ririe What if I told you that there was something you could do almost any place, any time, and at any or no cost that could help with your OCD? You would likely be excited to try it right away! Well, the great news is that there IS something that researchers are finding could possibly be just this beneficial. What is it- you ask? EXERCISE. Now wait just a moment- I know you may be thinking “I hate being sweaty”, or “My body doesn’t like to run”- but did you know that some of the positive effects of exercise can be seen in even just a few minutes of physical activity? Of course, as with all treatments, results will vary from person to person and researchers are not claiming a cure-all, but here is the scoop on why exercis

Children are the best at being curious. Do you remember when you were a kid playing outside with your friends and found something that caught your attention? Did you dismiss it, or push it away, or were you curious because you wanted to know what it was or how it worked? Some of us may lose the desire to learn about how things work as we get busy with our everyday life tasks and worries. We can all benefit by practicing and learning to be curious. And when you struggle with OCD, the search for certainty is king! Thus, as your rule-making mind “helps” you find certainty, it starts giving you reminders about what you should or should not do because after all, by following its rules, you may find certainty! Take a look at these e

Holding Anxiety Gently Expectations What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you wake up in the morning? Is it an anxious thought—maybe about all the things you should do today? Or maybe you’re setting expectations for yourself about what your day should look like? As soon as you notice your anxiety, what do you do? Do you start dreading the day and wonder whether your anxiety will ever subside? Have you noticed how the word expectation implies rigidity? When we place high or unrealistic expectations on ourselves, whether emotionally, physically, or even just about what we think we should accomplish today, our emotional well-being suffers. Now, that’s not to say you don’t need to have goals and dreams about your career

By Kathleen Ririe What is scrupulosity? Picture this- you’re out walking on a beautiful path through the woods. The air smells of fresh rain, the trees are extra lush and green, and as the morning light shines through the trees you are filled with a sense of aliveness. UNTIL. You notice a tiny, sharp rock has found its way into your shoe. You try to ignore it, but the more vigilantly you ignore it, the more obnoxious it becomes. No matter how carefully you step, you can’t avoid the rock in your shoe. Soon you become completely engrossed in noticing the pebble and can no longer enjoy anything else the forest has to offer you. The word scrupulous comes from the Latin word Scrupulum which means a small sharp stone (1), and like t

We are pleased to announce this parenting group which offers information and support to help navigate parenting children with OCD and anxiety. Come prepared to learn and share experiences with other parents and to gain support on your parenting journey. Information about the group: March 4th-April 29th Mondays at 12pm Virtual Meetings Cost is $40/person per session, or $50/couple per session Call us at 801-427-1054 to register!

Going Upstream— Is It Worth It? The o’opu, a freshwater fish native to Hawaii, hatches in fresh water and literally goes with the flow, swimming downstream to reproduce. Its eggs are swept into the ocean, where they develop into young fish. Like salmon, these young fish instinctively return home. They measure less than three inches in size, but their determination to reach their birthplace and start another generation is huge. These fish don’t just swim upstream to get back home. They literally climb waterfalls by using suction disks.1 “How is this possible?” you might ask. Well, before they reenter fresh water to begin their journey home, their bodies are transformed. They develop mouth and pelvic suckers that help them climb.

By Kathleen Ririe “What if I should discover that…I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness– that I am the enemy who must be loved?” –C. G. Jung As Christmas approaches, in Christian religious traditions we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, who is celebrated as the Savior of the World. According to the Bible, He was perfect and gave His life for humankind, that if they would come into relationship with Him and abide by His doctrine, they too would receive everlasting life through His gracious Atoning sacrifice. This is good news right?  Well, for those with Scrupulosity (a subtype of OCD involving religious or moral obsessions)  this message can at times feel like a two-edged sword. On