The Catholic Therapist

What if the grind isn't the path to freedom — it's the thing keeping you from it? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Dr. Tim White — psychology professor, researcher, and self-proclaimed workaholic — to explore what it actually means to rest in a culture that has forgotten how. Drawing on the theology of the 8th day of creation, Joseph Pieper's Leisure: T...

Have you ever wanted to journal but didn't know where to start — or tried and gave up because it felt too rigid, too vulnerable, or just not for you? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute to unpack the surprising depth of journaling as a tool for mental health and spiritual growth. From the neuroscience of narrati...

What if the religious doubt, the obsessive confessing, the fear of receiving communion — isn't a sign of weak faith, but actually reveals how deeply you love God? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) joins Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute for a wide-ranging conversation on scrupulosity — one of the most painful and misunderstood struggles in Catholic life. Tog...

Have you ever stayed silent when you knew you should speak up - and then spent the rest of the day wondering why? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) explores the theology of assertiveness, unpacking why so many of us struggle to voice our needs, name our feelings, or hold our ground - and what our faith actually has to say about all of it. Drawing on the intersection of...

What does it actually look like when the Holy Spirit shows up in a therapy session? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) unpacks the role of the Holy Spirit in Catholic therapy - and why God's answer to your healing is always yes. Adam shares how the Catholic Therapy Center approaches healing from a holistic foundation: body, mind, and soul. Whether it's client-led prayer...

Can Theology of the Body actually deepen shame rather than heal it? And what does JP2's vision for the human person have to say about pornography addiction, scrupulosity, and the cycle of counterfeit love? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down again with Dr. Anthony Isacco, Program Director of the MS in Clinical Psychology program at St. Mary's University of Minn...

Do you ever wonder if God is actually speaking to you, or if you're just making it up? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), explores how every baptized Catholic has the ability to hear God's voice through the power of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from his experience in Encounter School Ministry and years of integrating faith with therapy, Adam challenges the belief that God...

What should you really expect when you walk into a therapist's office for the first time? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) explores the heart of what therapy offers with fellow clinician Katelyn Smedley, LMFT (#99805) Katelyn shares her approach to working with women and families, emphasizing that the most important thing clients should leave with after their first se...

Can you be grateful while grieving? Should you even try? In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Adam Cross tackles one of the most challenging tensions in Catholic spiritual life: how to honor our grief while maintaining gratitude for God's goodness. Drawing on Scripture, theological insights from Father Raniero Cantalamessa and Dr. Shan Tobin, and his clinical experience, Adam ex...

What's it really like to sit across from a Catholic therapist who specializes in shame, addiction, and anxiety? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), sits down with Luis Lopez, AMFT (#147456) one of the clinicians at the Catholic Therapy Center, to explore what happens inside the therapy room when faith meets clinical practice. Topics covered: Creating a safe space where...

Do you ever take yourself too seriously when it comes to healing? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), explores how humor can be a powerful healing tool in therapy and spiritual growth. Drawing on GK Chesterton's wisdom and the reminder that seriousness is not a fruit of the Holy Spirit, Adam explains why taking ourselves lightly (while not taking sin lightly) creates sp...

What does Catholic therapy actually look like? And how does faith integration work when clients come from different backgrounds or beliefs? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), sits down with colleague Kolbe Young, APCC, a holistic trauma therapist at the Catholic Therapy Center. Together they unpack what makes Catholic therapy unique, how it serves people across all wal...

Do you approach confession with anxiety, feeling like you're about to be judged and condemned? In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) unpacks how to heal an unhealthy, fear-based approach to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Drawing on insights from Father Jacques Philippe and reflecting on God's justice as restoration (not punishment), Adam helps listeners understand confes...

Many Catholics wonder whether online therapy can truly offer the same healing as meeting face-to-face. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) explores the question: Does telehealth therapy really work? Drawing from his own clinical experience, Adam breaks down the pros and cons of telehealth and in-person therapy, how both approaches serve the human person, and what it mean...

Many Catholics hesitate to begin therapy because it can feel clinical, impersonal, or disconnected from faith. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by Danielle Enriquez, LMFT #152199, for a candid conversation about what Catholic therapy really looks like in practice. Together, they explore how clinical tools and Catholic spirituality unite to bring authentic healing rooted in...

Many Catholics wonder if they need a Catholic therapist, and if so, how to find one. In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Adam Cross shares why trust is essential in any therapy relationship, what makes Catholic therapy unique, and where to look for faithful resources. Drawing from his clinical practice and Catholic tradition, Adam explains the importance of Catholic anthropolog...

Many Catholics struggle with therapy because it can feel abstract, secular, or even at odds with the faith. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by Dr. Tim White to explore how “parts work,” nervous system regulation, and Catholic spirituality can come together for real healing. Drawing from Catholic tradition and clinical insight, they share practical ways to notice your body,...

Catholic psychology is growing, but many seminarians and formators still wrestle with how therapy fits into vocation and discernment. In this episode, licensed therapist Adam Cross is joined by Dr. Anthony Isacco, professor and program director at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, to discuss the launch of a new Catholic clinical psychology program and the deeper role of trust in priestly formati...

Many people get stuck in discernment because fear can disguise itself as prudence. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by Emmaus Townsend to explore how faith and therapy together can bring clarity and peace when choosing a vocation. Drawing from Catholic tradition and clinical insight, they share practical ways to hear God, calm anxiety, and move forward with confidence. Topi...

Many people struggle with perfectionism because they don’t realize how faith and therapy can work together. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by his colleagues, Colby and Joshua, to explore how understanding your inner critic can lead to profound freedom and self-compassion. Drawing from their own experiences and professional insights, they share how integrating faith with p...

Many Catholics struggle with endless doubt and checking—not because they lack faith, but because they carry deep confusion and fear about certainty. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross explores how scrupulosity distorts our understanding of knowledge, sin, and spiritual peace, often turning natural questions into sources of overwhelming anxiety and compulsive behavior. Drawing from both...

Many Catholics struggle with sexual shame—not because they lack faith, but because they carry deep confusion and fear about desire. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross explores how scrupulosity distorts our understanding of sexuality, pleasure, and morality, often turning natural human experience into a source of guilt and anxiety. Drawing from both clinical experience and Catholic spir...

Many people long for healing, but few realise how deep the journey must go. In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross is joined by Kolbe Young and Joshua Hernandez for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to move from suffering to healing. Drawing from personal experience, Catholic spirituality, and clinical insight, they discuss how true healing often requires us to get our...

Many people feel stuck—not because they lack motivation, but because they’re waiting for things to be “just right.” In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross explores how perfectionism often hides behind procrastination, and why the pressure to get everything right can keep us from starting at all. Drawing from both clinical experience and Catholic spirituality, Adam breaks down the psycholog...

Many people struggle to find healing because they don’t see how faith and therapy can work together. In this episode, Catholic therapists Adam Cross, Kolbe Young, and Joshua Hernandez dive into the powerful intersection of trauma recovery and the Catholic faith. They share personal stories, professional insights, and practical approaches to healing from a trauma-informed, faith-centered perspectiv...