In this episode, Matt sits down with therapist Dr. Gerry Crete to unpack what therapy actually is, how it differs from spiritual direction, why so many people today are seeing therapists regularly, and if therapy is actually healthy or potentially toxic.

🏥 Dr. Gerry Crete's counseling practice Transfiguration Counseling:
https://www.transfiguration.co

👉 Souls and Hearts - Catholic IFS resources:
https://www.soulsandhearts.com

🎶 Dr. Gerry's IFS inspired Be Thou My Vision hymn by Pateras Agape:
https://youtu.be/GTE6lRrfKqY?si=JoWXpfe-6HUcy5uT

📖 Order Dr. Gerry's book Litanies of the Heart here:
https://sophiainstitute.com/product/litanies-of-the-heart/

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00:00 Intro
01:40 Is therapy overused?
08:30 Different approaches to therapy
13:30 Modern therapy
18:30 Finding meaning in suffering
24:12 The role of the therapist
31:32 How therapy has changed over the years
35:40 Men going to therapy
40:12 Signs it may be time for therapy
48:59 Writing a book on past work
53:41 Childhood trauma
1:01:23 Reflecting on trauma
1:11:00 Choosing to avoid your problems
1:19:00 Prayer and spiritual life
1:27:03 The importance of gentleness
1:37:31 How therapists should respond to mental illness
1:41:34 Hesitation to revisit past trauma
1:44:23 Struggles with prayer
1:54:23 Integrating prayer with therapy
2:00:34 Gerry’s therapy practice
2:02:10 Living with OCD
2:10:23 Advice for priests
2:15:23 Handling trauma in the moment
2:28:03 Parenthood
2:41:02 Helping children who need support
2:42:13 Fatherhood and social anxiety
2:47:44 Life’s struggles
2:50:00 Struggling to understand God’s love
2:57:23 Understanding autism
3:01:23 Reading other people’s moods
3:06:12 Wrap-up