Dr. Gerry explores the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time and the idea of the "Self" as mediator. God the Father wants to restore the vulnerable.and broken to a state of joy and fulfillment. Christ is the ultimate high priest who mediates God's work to mankind. By virtue of our baptism and calling we are also called to be a mediator…

In this special episode taken from a recent Catholic Journeymen web meeting, Dr. Gerry discusses types of sexual brokenness and how they are rooted in attachment wounds. He provides an activity to re-align our imagination to the truths of our faith that we are to be a gift of self in mutually giving relationships.…

Dr. Gerry explores the themes of suffering and joy in the readings of the 26th-29th Sundays in ordinary time. We must develop 'wisdom of the heart' in order to break free of attachments. Dr. Gerry discusses how our fantasies involve power struggles which despite distortion reveal our true needs. It is in caring for others that leads to joy and glad…

Why do we have unfruitful debates with non-Catholics (and some Catholics) on controversial topics? Dr. Gerry explores the difference between a philosophical worldview based on objective truth compared to a postmodern de-constructivist worldview that is common today. In order to have a productive discussion or debate with someone with a different po…

We all have inner conflicts as we have parts that are polarized. In the readings Isaiah speaks about the blind seeing, the deaf hearing and the mute singing The psalm speaks of the wicked compared to the fatherless and the widows. St. James tells us not to show partiality for the rich over the poor. And Jesus heals a mute person. How can we break t…

Dr. Gerry is back! And this week he discusses the readings from the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time and the dynamic between following God's commandments and the heart. Jesus says that evil thoughts come from the heart. But he also says that the word of truth is planted in the heart. This leads Dr. Gerry into a discussion of the "self" and the "heart/n…

Dr. Gerry focuses on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians as he contrasts the biblical message with secular individualism and a great deal of modern psychology's focus on self actualization. Instead we learn that true peace comes through cultivating the virtues of humility, gentleness and patience, and in the end love.…

Dr. Gerry explores the Sunday readings (16th Sunday of Ordinary Time) and discusses how to find deeper levels of inner peace by confronting enmity. Dr. Gerry discusses the way Christ makes Jews and Gentiles into a "new person" and how we can confront our own "shadow" and insecure parts.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry discusses depression and negative cognitions (lies) that we tell ourselves. Dr. Gerry compares depression to the sin of acedia which is a resistance to the demands of love, and a burden. Like the woman who touched Jesus' cloak, or Jairus, we can heal from this affliction through faith and courage. Dr. Gerry also brings in the important wo…

Dr. Gerry hosts Be with the Word from a dorm at Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio). He explores how God is transcendent and calms the seas in our own souls. Dr. Gerry shares some of the things he's learned from Philosophy professors at Franciscan. Dr. Gerry applies the Catholic teaching that the rational soul is the form of the body to th…

Dr. Gerry celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ as he links the Sunday readings and the story of sacrifice in Exodus and Christ's sacrifice to developmental psychology. Dr. Gerry also explores what it means to be a 'good' parent and what it means to allow the truths of the faith to truly register in our hearts (not just…

Dr. Crete continues to explore personality as he discusses the Myers-Briggs personality indicator and the Greek Temperaments. He zooms in on the difference between Judging (J) and Perceiving (P) and how this difference can cause conflict in marriage. Dr. Gerry brings in the Sunday readings and how the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including generosity,…

Dr. Gerry begins a new mini-series "From Ascension to Assumption" where he explores getting to know oneself. Every week he will look at personality tests and models and how to understand our true selves. This week, the 7th Sunday of Easter and the Ascension, Dr. Crete explores the difference between Introversion and Extroversion based on the Myers-…

Dr. Gerry explores the difference between love as described in the readings for the 6th Sunday of Easter and Codependency. Gerry explains how true love is connected to self-giving when it is an expression of one's identity. Codependency involves people-pleasing and needing to be affirmed by others in order to find an identity.…

Dr. Gerry reflects on the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter and walks you through a path for stopping scrupulosity and obsessive thinking. He draws on the interplay between the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex as we move from fear and shame to awareness, repentance, and receiving comfort from our great Advocate.…

Dr. Gerry discusses the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter where he discusses what it means that Christ is "begotten in water and blood". He brings in some insight from Bessel Van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score and discusses the connection between spirit/mind and body in the healing of trauma. Dr. Crete also suggests that we can allow ou…

Dr. Gerry discusses the biblical path to overcoming dissociation, surviving suffering, and not being overwhelmed by shame. We are called to name and express emotion and recall our true identity.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry reflects on the Sunday Readings (Fifth Sunday of Lent) and discusses how God establishes secure attachment with us (in Jeremiah) and then asks us to die to self. Dr. Gerry discusses what it means to learn from suffering and how service allows us to love.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry continues his Lenten discussion about the psychological concept of dissociation as he discusses traumatic re-enactments. The readings for the fourth Sunday of Lent help us to find the true way to break free from old patterns and sins we keep repeating.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry discusses the readings from the Third Sunday of Lent and continues his discussion of "dissociation" as he describes the "window of tolerance" and what happens emotionally when we go outside of it. Dr. Gerry discusses the difference between normal feelings such as anger and sinful reactions such as rage, wrath, and vengeance.…

A mouthful, eh? Dr. Gerry continues his Lenten series on dissociation and discusses the parasympathetic nervous system which is how we experience safety. Dr. Gerry discusses the Abraham and Isaac sacrifice story and explains how God wants a new covenant based on safety, trust, and connection. God also reverses the ancient notions of life and death …

Dr. Gerry discusses the Sunday readings and begins a short Lenten series on dissociation. Dr. Gerry discusses mild forms of dissociation and more series forms (disorders) and connects this to the Hebrew understanding of life and death. Jesus turns this on its head and baffles the wise by showing us that it is through death that we can find life. Si…

Dr. Gerry discusses what it means to be a leper in the Hebrew world and how Christ is the bridge from sickness to health, and from death to life. He then discusses how St. Paul's attitude of pleasing "everyone in every way" is in fact not codependency.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry focuses on the book of Jonah and the call to love and reach out to people with whom we dislike or disagree. God has a message here despite our political, social, and religious views that he wants repentance and goodness for all.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Gerry discusses the Sunday Readings and how to improve recovery from addictions or problematic behaviors by approaching ourselves differently.By Souls and Hearts

Dr. Crete provides a strategy based on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy to break through relationship conflicts and unhealthy patterns.By Souls and Hearts

As Dr. Gerry explores the character of Herod, he discusses how our negative behaviors can be adaptive and self-protective. Dr. Gerry ties in the latest Wonder Woman movie (minimal spoilers) as well as the Eastern Catholic concept of epiphany and “theoria” as he discusses how to challenge our own motivations and adapt in new ways through union with …

Dr. Gerry and Dr. Laura Cusumano discuss eating disorders. Dr. Laura earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Divine Mercy University and she is the mother of three young children. Dr. Laura shares her own personal journey of overcoming an eating disorder and how that led her into the field of psychology and helping others with eating disor…

Dr. Gerry discusses what it is to be a good father. How is fathering different from mothering? The "essentialist" position says that fatherhood is universal and biologically based. It also says that without a father figure there are negative developmental outcomes for boys. Dr. Gerry discusses how postmodern social constructivism defines fatherhood…

Although the holidays are meant to be a joyful time, many people struggle with higher levels of depression, grief, loneliness, and stress. Some people also experience seasonal affective disorder – and all this and a global pandemic as well! Dr. Gerry integrates the best advice from the mental health community with the wisdom of St. Thérèse of Lisie…

Dr. Gerry discusses the Sunday readings from a psychological and family-oriented perspective. Dr. Gerry meets with Mac Barron who is the author of “Clueless in Galilee” and co-host of the long running “Catholic in a Small Town” podcast. Dr. Gerry and Mac discuss their reaction to the commercialization and consumerism of Christmas and the loss of th…

As we begin the Advent season of waiting on Christ, Dr. Gerry and Thomas Clements discuss “Learning to Wait: The First Step in Overcoming Addiction”. Thomas is the founder of Zenith Ministries and has a graduate degree in Theology from Franciscan University in Steubenville. Thomas shares his Seven Steps in dealing with addiction which include: 1) P…

Overall Takeaway Human nature tends to want to be more like “goats'' than “sheep”. It’s important to reflect on our internal dispositions to learn how we can be more like the “sheep” in the Good Shepherd’s flock. Key Verses in Sunday Mass Readings “I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself w…

Overall Takeaway When God hands us our “talents” in life, He knows what we are able to do with them and expects us to use our gifts for His glory. It can be challenging to overcome fear and avoid “burying a God-given talent.” Learn about getting to what’s behind the fear and techniques to help you affirm yourself and perhaps get unstuck in some asp…

Overall Takeaway We are called by Wisdom, or the Holy Spirit, to grow in virtue and our relationship with God over the course of our lives, but we often face common psychological reasons that get in our way. Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings “Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by tho…

Overall Takeaway Jesus turns the shame-filled, anxiety-ridden narratives of our lives into redemption and transformation. Often, we don’t recognize that when we’re on that journey, and it takes effort to gain that perspective. Key Verses From Sunday Readings “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their ro…

Overall Takeaway People who have superiority complexes are usually trying to make themselves feel better by belittling others. When we can understand what’s behind the attitude, it can help us be more compassionate and loving toward them. Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings “Thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you we…

Overall Takeaway Many of us feel trapped in some aspect of our lives, just as the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus in their questioning in this week’s gospel. Just as Jesus had an unexpected answer for them, He has one for us if we’re willing to listen. Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings “For the sake of Jacob, my servant, of Israel, my chosen…

Overall Takeaway Just as the invited individuals in this week’s Gospel refuse to attend the king’s wedding feast, we often do the same in our lives. Although this can be attributed to sin or distractions, it can also come from psychological blind spots that we refuse to address. Key Verses from Sunday Readings “On this mountain the LORD of hosts wi…

Overall Takeaway Anxiety is often a symptom in our modern world and can be a real barrier to our relationship with God as well as to our own healing. Our cognitions and surroundings can clearly affect our mood while meditation and prayer can bring an unsurpassing peace. Key Verses from Sunday Mass Readings “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the …

Overall Takeaway Listening in charity and trying to understand another’s point of view does not mean we need to agree with the other person. When Christ calls us to unity, it’s important to understand He’s calling us to unify in a love for God and one another--not necessarily in a singleness of ideas. Key Verses from Sunday Readings “When someone v…

Overall Takeaway Work should not define the person, as it is often the case in today’s world. Instead, we have to see that the dignity of work comes from the fact that it is done by an individual made in the image and likeness of God. Key Verses from the Sunday Readings “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LOR…

Overall Takeaway It’s important to understand the difference between the feeling of anger, which carries no moral weight, and the importance of learning to deal with anger in a healthy way psychologically. Doing so, not only affects us in a positive way, but helps us lift up the entire body of Christ. Key Verses from Sunday Readings Wrath and anger…

Overall Takeaway We need to embrace three basic principles, as well as overcome the common psychological barriers to these principles, in order to exercise real love to one another. Learn this week about how to overcome avoidance, isolation and resentment--and how doing so helps us love more fully and completely. Key Verses of Sunday Mass Readings …

Overall Takeaway It’s so easy to forget to try to see the events of our lives from God’s perspective instead of our own. We want to be in control, and instead of looking with eyes of faith at our personal crosses, we tend to get angry, sad and disappointed in what appears to be an injustice, suffering, or other wrongdoing on God’s part. Key Verses …

Overall Takeaway As human beings, we learn who we are in relationship to others. Because of our sin and the sin of others, this often results in an inaccurate picture of who we really are. We usually don’t see ourselves as God sees us, which often results in feeling “lost”. Learn how to begin to change that--and how we can allow Christ to “find” us…

Overall Takeaway Learn the four essential things that are needed to allow God to grant our hearts’ desire. We also discuss the common psychological impediments to each of these things in petitionary prayer. Key Verses in Sunday Readings “The foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him, loving the name of the LORD, and becoming hi…

Overall Takeaway Many of us need to learn to down-regulate and re-focus our attention on God in order to better cope with the challenges of daily life. Learn a simple process that can help you slow down before making an impulsive decision. Key Verses from Sunday Readings “Then the LORD said to him, ‘Go outside and stand on the mountain before the L…

Overall Takeaway It’s easy to understand that we often translate our human experiences into how we do or don’t relate to God. If we have lacked safety and security in an important human relationship, it makes it very difficult for us to trust God. Finding ways to work through that disconnect is a key to a more intimate relationship with Him. Key Ve…

Overall Takeaway Sometimes we think that doing God’s will is about simply bearing the cross and giving up good things in this life. However, when we do God’s will, it often leads to unexpected joy -- a greater joy than we would have imagined. Key Verses from Sunday Readings “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people …