180. A Pastor's Daughter Struggles with Scrupulosity: A Personal Story with Stephanie Smith, LPC

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

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 evolving into scrupulosity during her teen years.
Why OCD often targets a person’s deepest values—such as faith—and how that complicates spiritual life.
The difference between fear-based religious behavior and grace-centered faith.
The role of perfectionism and guilt in religious OCD and the shift toward grace-based faith.

How Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) helps individuals stay grounded in reality and resist OCD’s imagined narratives.
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