Understanding the Connection Between OCD and Religious Trauma with Juliet Gustafson

Join us as we delve into the nuanced intersections of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), religious trauma, and their impact on queer individuals. Kit Morgan, trans and queer religious trauma educator and therapist sat down with Juliet Gustafsson, a queer social worker and OCD expert for this episode. Juliet shares her lived experiences, professional insights, and innovative approaches for understanding and treating OCD within the context of religious and sexual identity.In this episode:Juliet’s definition of OCD and common misconceptionsHow OCD attaches to core values, identity, and religious beliefsThe interplay between religious trauma, moral scrupulosity, and OCD symptomsStrategies for addressing shame, trust, and uncertainty in therapyExposure therapy techniques for OCD, including unorthodox and humorous examplesNavigating sexual identity doubts, obsessive thoughts about attraction, and sexual behaviorsThe importance of compassion, validation, and partner communication in OCD treatmentBreaking down myths about certainty, empirical evidence, and religious indoctrinationCreative and playful approaches to confronting fears about death and mortalityYou can find Juliet's work on Instagram @ocd_therapist_juliet, the Intrusive Plots Podcast, or julietgustafson.comTo learn more about religious trauma, please subscribe to @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok