Jesus and Your Mental Health

S2 E25: OCD Part 2 - Finding Freedom Through ERP with Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood

This episode continues our deep dive into OCD and unpacks exposure and response prevention (ERP), a standard treatment for OCD.
Rebecca Maxwell talks with OCD clinicians Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood as they explain scrupulosity and how faith practices can be supported without fueling OCD. You will hear practical tips for starting treatment and find out about key resources and group options for getting help. ERP is a proven method to build tolerance to uncertainty, reduce OCD’s power, and help people live according to their values.
Find out more about Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood from Marsh Landing Behavioral Group here in Jacksonville, Florida. mlbgroup.com
 
Additional resources can be found at IOCDF.org and JackMHA.org
 
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com

S2 E24: BONUS - Understanding OCD and Finding Freedom with Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood (Part 1)

In this episode Rebecca Maxwell welcomes Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood to explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) looks like, how it differs from normal anxiety or perfectionism, and why it is often underdiagnosed. They describe the OCD loop—intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and compulsive responses—and give real examples of common compulsions and reassurance-seeking behaviors.
From a Christian perspective they discuss how OCD thought patterns can be mistaken for spiritual discernment, how it impacts identity and daily life, and why reassurance can unintentionally feed the cycle. The episode ends with hope: an introduction to evidence-based treatment (ERP), resources for support, and encouragement that recovery is possible.
Find out more about Dr. Cyndee Stevens and Tiffany Wood from Marsh Landing Behavioral Group here in Jacksonville, Florida. mlbgroup.com
 
Additional resources can be found at IOCDF.org and JackMHA.org
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

S2 E23: Raising Disciples, Not Just Good Kids: Gospel-Centered Parenting with Amber Hicks

In this episode Rebecca Maxwell interviews Amber Hicks, a friend and kids minister at Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida. They dive deep into the philosophy behind gospel-centered kids ministry and partnering with parents in making disciples. Parents are encouraged to focus on setting up practical rhythms for family life (scripture, prayer, worship, memorization), and prioritizing heart-focused parenting over mere behavior management.
Amber and Rebecca also address challenges kids face today—screens, social media, and cultural noise—and offer simple, everyday practices to disciple children, share stories of the unique challenges ministry families face, and point listeners to resources and community support for raising faith-filled kids.
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell or her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

S2 E22: The Big Brave Choice: Teaching Kids the Courage to Forgive with Lori Newell

In today's episode, Rebecca Maxwell interviews Lori Newell about her new children's book, The Big Brave Choice, co-written with Pastor Joby Martin.
The episode explores how the book uses a relatable story about twins to teach forgiveness as a gospel-centered, courageous choice and includes practical parent resources and church curriculum for ages 4–8 (usable through elementary school).
They discuss why forgiveness matters for faith and mental health, the importance of parents modeling forgiveness, and how the book can help families and churches plant lasting gospel truths in children’s hearts.
The book releases June 9. For more information and to pre-order, visit https://jobymartin.com/books/the-big-brave-choice
For other trusted children's resources: https://coe22.com/resources/all/recommended-family-discipleship/
 
To reach Lori Newell: 
Instagram @lorinewell_
lori.newell@coe22.com
 
For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

S2 E21: Parenting Help Pt. 4 - Letting Go Without Losing It: Parenting Late Teens to Young Adults (17-20)

Parenting part 4 explores the challenges and transitions of parenting late teenagers into adulthood, covering identity formation, responsibility, faith development, and practical boundaries around dating, work, and finances.
Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke share real-life examples, explore mental health signs to watch for, and suggest strategies for mentoring rather than controlling. You'll be encouraged to remember the importance of community, prayer, and maintaining your own identity beyond parenting.For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com

S2 E20: Parenting Help Pt. 3 When Kids Become Teens: Navigating Identity, Hormones, and Boundaries (12-16)

In part 3 of our parenting series, we explore parenting during the volatile middle-school-to-high-school years (roughly ages 12–16), covering brain development, puberty, identity formation, and the growing importance of peers. We discuss effective approaches to discipline (authoritative vs. authoritarian), maintaining connection, friendship circles, privacy and phone/social media boundaries, and how to coach rather than control.
You'll be encouraged to stay present, set clear values and boundaries, involve teens in consequences, protect face-to-face relationships over screens, and don’t give up—this stage is intense but temporary and shapeable with steady, loving guidance.For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.comFind the book Brainstorm on Amazon here.

S2 E19: Parenting Help Pt. 2 - Raising Elementary Kids to be Rooted, Resilient, and Confident (6-12)

Welcome to part two of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode explores parenting elementary-aged children (roughly 6–12). We explore a range of topics, including building resilience and confidence, setting consistent discipline tied to family values, managing friendships and bullying, handling technology and screen limits, making schooling and extracurricular choices, and guiding spiritual formation including conversations about baptism.
We want you to gain practical wisdom centered on relationship-building, staying steady through boundary-pushing, and preparing kids for future independence.
For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.com

S2 E18: Parenting Help Pt. 1 - The Crucial Early Years (0–5)

Welcome to part one of our multi-part series on parenting. This episode focuses on parenting children ages 0–5, emphasizing how rapid brain development and early attachments shape trust, safety, and emotional growth.
Rebecca Maxwell and Jonathan Vinke discuss practical approaches to soothing, teaching self-regulation, setting balanced consequences, the role of play and routine, and concerns about screen distraction—offering realistic guidance rather than perfectionism.
Our hope is that as you listen you'll receive encouragement, ideas for community support, and a reminder that consistency, presence, and grace help parents steward these formative years.
 
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, please visit jesusandyourmentalhealth.com

S2 E17: BONUS - ADHD, Identity & Shame: Reclaiming Who You Are feat. Julie Norman

Rebecca Maxwell and her guest Julie Norman explore how ADHD’s dopamine-sensitive nervous system affects motivation and executive function, and how those challenges often become misread as laziness or moral failure. They introduce the "three C's"—capable, chaotic, critical—and explain how regulation and compassion protect identity from shame.
If today’s conversation about ADHD, identity, and emotional regulation resonated with you, there are a few ways to go deeper. Julie has created a Task Initiation infographic that explains why starting tasks can feel so hard for ADHD brains—and what actually helps.
You can also join Structure Without Shame, my upcoming course on emotional regulation and sustainable structure for real life, designed for both neurodivergent and neurotypical adults who want more calm and clarity in how they live and work. And if you simply need accountability to get things done, you’re welcome to join our free Friday Body Doubling / Parallel Play sessions at 9am Central for two focused Pomodoro work blocks.
For more information on Julie Norman and her practice, go to https://peaceregardless.com/
For more information on Rebecca Maxwell and her practice, go to https://www.jesusandyourmentalhealth.com/

S2 E16: Surrender, Sobriety, and Salvation: A 12‑Step Journey with Steve & Val Crooks

In today's episode, Rebecca talks with Steve and Val Crooks about their decades-long recovery through a 12-step program. This important conversation covers the moment they knew they needed help, and how surrender and community transformed their lives.
Hear how faith and practical daily practices—meetings, sponsors, prayer, and accountability—intersect with recovery and offer concrete steps for anyone wondering if they need help.
This episode shares real stories of hope, encouragement to reach out, and the message that healing is possible when honesty replaces secrecy and surrender replaces self-reliance.For more information on Rebecca and her practice, please visit Jesusandyourmentalhealth.comIf you would like help or information on finding a 12-step program in your area, go to https://www.aa.org/find-aa or dial 988 from any phone.