The Catholic Therapist

Your Intrusive Thoughts Don't Define You: The Truth About Catholic OCD


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What if the religious doubt, the obsessive confessing, the fear of receiving communion — isn't a sign of weak faith, but actually reveals how deeply you love God?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) joins Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute for a wide-ranging conversation on scrupulosity — one of the most painful and misunderstood struggles in Catholic life.

Together they unpack the clinical reality that scrupulosity is rooted in anxiety and OCD, not poor faith — and they share what actually helps people heal, from ERP therapy and parts work, to the role of medication, spiritual direction, and a healthy God image.

Topics covered:

  • What scrupulosity is (and isn't) — theologically and clinically
  • Intrusive thoughts: the difference between temptation and desire
  • The lifeboat analogy: when coping strategies become obstacles
  • ERP for scrupulosity: sitting with uncertainty instead of seeking certainty
  • Reassurance seeking — and what families can say instead
  • SSRIs, GeneSight testing, and the Church's view on medication
  • Nervous system regulation and experiencing God's peace
  • Healing is possible. This conversation is proof.

    Have questions? Visit adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

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    The Catholic TherapistBy The Catholic Therapist

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