Trusted Mental Health and OCD Resources for Churches, Pastors, and Ministry Leaders
Firmly rooted in God’s Word. Clinically supported. Healing the whole person.
A Special Note to Pastors and Churches…
I know you care deeply about shepherding your people well – but sometimes issues like religious OCD, anxiety, or chronic illness can feel a bit overwhelming and outside your wheelhouse.
As a Christian counselor with both lived and clinical experience, one of my greatest God-given passions is actively partnering with the Church – not only in client care but in equipping leaders to navigate mental health with compassion, understanding, and wisdom.
So if you see the need for trusted mental health resources, a referral partner, or education on holistic mental health within the church, please contact me below. I would love to connect with you and support your ministry with a clinical and Biblical perspective.
I also offer paperwork to help churches financially support a client’s counseling as part of their care for the Body.
You’re the Spiritual Shepherd,
but this is confusing…
You sit across from someone in your care, and they’re spiraling. Hard. They talk about obsessive confession, guilt, relentless anxiety, and unavoidable compulsions. It sounds very spiritual and responsible, and they likely don’t have a name for it yet.
You want to help – you really do! But every time you encourage them in truth, things seem to get worse, and their spiritual doubts only come back.
Referring them to a counselor feels risky. What if the counselor doesn’t honor Scripture? What if they harm the person’s walk with God, or even worse, teach them they don’t need God?
Partner With a Trusted Expert
My name is Rachel, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a devoted Jesus-follower, and someone who’s walked the difficult road of religious OCD both personally and professionally.
God gave me a passion to revive the Church through bridging Biblical and clinical care. I educate and equip leaders like you as we partner together in mutual Kingdom work among our churches and communities.
What People Are Saying
As a “lay” counselor for a local ministry, it was wonderful to have a local source that specializes in OCD. Rachel is that person. It was such an easy referral to get someone the help they needed. She is a great speaker on the topic, and most of all, she really does care.
— Lane Campbell, Lay Biblical Counselor
I'm very grateful for Rachel and Re-Viving Lives Counseling! As a pastor, it's a real gift to have counselors to whom you can refer congregants. Rachel is a wise, experienced, Christ-centered counselor that I would definitely (and regularly do!) recommend.
— Pastor, Brain Davis
Rachel is both knowledgable and relatable. She is uniquely able to meet those who are hurting with wisdom and compassion and effectively guide them to a place of hope and healing.
— Pastor, Ryan McCarthy
Why Do OCD Resources Matter in the Church?
In short, trying to help without proper context unintentionally causes more harm.
When someone’s stuck in a “loop” of compulsions (even holy-looking ones), offering reassurance, certainty, or encouragement to “keep going” can propel them into deeper cycles of OCD. While your heart is SO well-intentioned, an OCD brain translates that advice into stronger fuel for their compulsions.
Religious OCD is a neurobiological disorder – a form of suffering from the fall. Yes, there are spiritual implications. And yes, theology absolutely matters.
But before diving into spiritual guidance, it’s crucial to understand the biology and psychology of OCD first.
How Do Churches Unintentionally Cause Harm?
If we want to care well for people struggling with religious OCD, we must first take an honest, humble look at what isn’t working.
Here are some common missteps I frequently see in the church:
Over-spiritualizing the experience and assuming it’s inherently a sin or faith issue
Giving the person answers through reassurance or more Scripture. This feeds the OCD loop and leaves them more ashamed or confused.
Challenging the person to pray more, have faith, or confess their “sin” (when it’s their OCD telling them they have sinned and they actually haven’t).
Assuming the person has a demon that needs to be prayed out (OOF.)
Trying to create 100% certainty rather than helping them embrace uncertainty
Setting out to “fix” rather than listen, understand, and love them where they are
Discouraging the person from professional counseling outside your own church body
Misinterpreting psychology and therapy as too secular and dangerous. That may be the very thing that helps them walk with Jesus freely again!
Unfortunately, even with the best intentions, these responses make a person suffering from OCD feel more broken and distressed.
What’s the Church’s Role in Religious OCD and Mental Health?
As a leader, you’re the one people turn to with their deepest pain, and that’s a sacred gift. But sometimes mental health struggles go deeper than your training, and the most loving thing you can do is bring in qualified, trustworthy support.
God populated the Body with many wonderful gifts, each playing its part in building up His Bride. As someone who deeply loves the Lord and believes in the local church, my God-given gift supports you at this intersection of mental health and ministry.
When we join forces for God’s glory, the church becomes a more compassionate and welcoming place: a clearer reflection of Jesus Himself.
What’s the Benefit of Biblical and Clinical Counseling?
Even though we call it a “mental” health condition, it affects every part of the person. To holistically counsel someone through OCD, we must address the WHOLE person: body, mind, and spirit. Otherwise, we neglect a vital portion of God’s intentional design.
If you only lean on Bible verses and spiritual theology, you miss the real, neurological, PHYSICAL loop in the client’s mind and end up reinforcing their cycle of obsession. Without clinical treatment, this disorder will twist and misapply even Scripture.
If you focus purely on clinical therapy without a Biblical anchor, you ignore deeply rooted beliefs, questions, and worldviews that are crucial to holistic healing.
That’s why I integrate BOTH into my counseling, education offerings, and speaking engagements. I’m trained in evidence-based tools like ERP (Exposure Response Prevention), but I also hold fast to the authority of God’s Word. This unique approach treats sufferers as the holistic, embodied souls God made them to be.
More Testimonials
Rachel has a long history as a faithful church member in Fort Worth and strong relationships with many pastors in town, including me. She is unique in her understanding of pastors and (lay) people. I really appreciate her deep sense of calling as a counselor and the way her personal faith shines through in her work and relationships.
— Pastor, Bradford Green
Rachel is as genuine as they come. I know her especially for her passion helping those who suffer from OCD, and she brings a kindness and love with those she approaches. If you notice this while reading or watching anything she produces, it's not a show. She is a go-to referral for those suffering from OCD and Anxiety.
— Justin Hughes, MA, LPC
I can't recommend Rachel enough as a counselor. Her passion for helping others navigate their mental health—especially in areas like OCD—is inspiring. She has a gift for bridging the gap between faith and mental health, helping clients find clarity and hope. Rachel has a way of making people feel truly seen and understood, and I wouldn’t hesitate to refer someone to her practice. Fort Worth is lucky to have such a dedicated and ethical therapist in the community!
— Stephen Gravois, MA, LPC
Lets Partner.
What You Can Expect
When you attend a workshop, invite me to speak, or join an educational call, you’ll walk away with:
A clear understanding of how deeply religious OCD and other mental health struggles affect the body, brain, and soul
Practical tools to spot OCD, scrupulosity, or anxiety in your congregation
Proven techniques to help people become unstuck
Confidence when interacting with sufferers, without accidentally reinforcing their OCD
The ability to embody Jesus more holistically in your congregation
Peace of mind knowing you, your team, and your flock are better equipped to love Jesus and each other
It would be my greatest honor to partner with you and equip you and your team with tools, confidence, and empathy as you navigate hidden mental health issues among your flock.
Supporting you!
Supporting you!
How I Can Support You and Your Church?
Speaking Engagements
Biblical and clinical mental health education for your team, congregation, or small group.
Whether it’s your church staff, sorority, or a group of friends, I want to help you handle mental health issues with confidence and wisdom. I teach on topics like religious OCD/scrupulosity and other “hidden” struggles in the church. Each talk is customized to your group and presented through a Biblically grounded, clinically informed lens.
Benevolence Paperwork
A helpful form for churches to financially support a member’s counseling.
If your church offers care or benevolence funds, I provide a simple form for clients to submit to their church for partial or full financial support. The form must be completed and church funding confirmed before scheduling an intake session. My counseling rates remain the same, and all financial arrangements are made directly between the church and the client.
Educational Meetings
Ongoing support for local ministry leaders who want to learn, grow, and strengthen their ministry.
Join me and other church leaders every 3-4 months for a free, low-pressure gathering on Zoom or in person. We’ll cover mental health struggles that are rarely discussed, but hide in plain sight in your congregation. Many leaders simply haven’t been given the tools to recognize or respond to them well. That’s where I can help you out.
Book (Coming soon 2026)
The church’s best resource for navigating OCD with integrity and practicality.
Written for sufferers of OCD and the pastors, spouses, and friends supporting them, this book takes an in-depth look at hidden forms of OCD frequently found in the church. It’s filled with practical guidance and next steps, opening up healing conversations that bridge the gap between sufferers and supporters.
Referral Partnerships
Rely on someone you trust to help your people find freedom and healing.
When someone in your care is struggling with religious OCD, anxiety, or something outside your area of expertise, I’d be honored to come alongside you and offer Biblical, clinical support. Please visit my Services page to see my Christian counseling specialty areas.