6 Benefits of Catholic Counselling

In the previous article, I made the point that there has been a greater reluctance towards seeking counselling as a treatment for mental health issues amongst Christians than non-Christians. One of the reasons for this has been a belief that all answers to problems in one’s emotional or mental life can be found in one’s spiritual life or moral life.

Another reason for this has been a general mistrust of a professional discipline which has had a reputation until more recent times of being, at best, dismissive of the spiritual dimension of the human person, and at worst, antagonistic towards religion in general. Indeed, one of the big names of psychology, Sigmund Freud, viewed religion as an “illusion” and “comparable to a childhood neurosis.” More generally, psychology, as a scientific discipline that emerged in the late 1800’s, concerned itself with things that could be studied and measure empirically and qualitatively. Questions of the soul and spirit were considered out of scope, which is strange given that the word psychology itself means the study of the soul (from the Greek logos (the study of) and psyche (soul).

It must be recognised that there is some content within the field of psychology that is based on philosophy that goes against a Catholic understanding of the human person. For example, some secular theory would downplay or deny human free will and the role of morality in one’s mental health, and might even deny the existence of moral absolutes. And of course, for a long time, psychology either dismissed or ignored the spiritual dimension of the human person.

In light of all this, it is understandable then that Christians might feel some hesitance towards opening their souls in a space that seems either dismissive or patronising of their spiritual beliefs.

However, there is much that is healthy and helpful within psychology. A good deal of what is helpful, I would argue, has already been discovered or taught or at least has roots in the Christian tradition. In fact, I hope in future articles to draw attention to some of these insights of the saints, and Christ Himself (covered more recently by people much smarter than myself!) Counselling can certainly complement one’s spiritual disciplines in overcoming mental health issues, helping to identify distorted beliefs or providing insight into effective ways to regulate emotions in the short term.

In more recent times, the field of psychology seems to be recognising the benefits of spirituality and religion for mental health and there is a growing recognition of the importance of the spiritual aspect of the human person. The field of Christian counselling has been steadily growing and providing an avenue for Christians who may be hesitant about engaging in secular therapy. As a specialised niche within Christian counselling would sit Catholic counselling. While growing, at this stage it can be hard to find a specifically Catholic counsellor. Clients may ask, given the lack of specialised Catholic counsellors, is it worth searching for one?

What then, are the benefits of Catholic counsellors?

1. Shared beliefs – One of the obstacles to Catholics seeking therapy has been a perception that secular counsellors may not understand the client’s religious beliefs. For example, a woman I know found herself closing up in couples therapy when the counsellor could not understand why she may want to prioritise religious practice (like going to Mass) over spending time with her non-religious partner. Similarly, I found myself confused when a psychologist saw my lack of ambition to climb the corporate ladder and instead engage in chaplaincy volunteering as a character weakness. Having to regularly explain or justify religious beliefs that influence our choices can be tiring and lead to a lack of trust and willingness to open up. A Catholic therapist who can understand and relate to these beliefs can foster trust and a sense of safety in the counselling relationship.
2. Consider the consequences of moral behaviour – One of the foundations of Catholicism is the belief in moral absolutes and our freedom to choose. The Catechism holds that moral acts can be objectively evaluated as either good or evil. When someone goes against their conscience, they may experience guilt, sadness, anxiety or other emotions. In other words, our moral behaviour can have an effect on our mental or emotional health. A therapist who does not share this belief regarding morality may minimise the importance of the client’s moral actions or may have different moral beliefs or standards. For example, a secular therapist may perceive pornography or promiscuity as harmless or even healthy.
3. Can incorporate spiritual interventions – The Christian tradition offers some incredibly rich practices that can help in one’s mental health. The belief in the truth of scripture offers an amazing opportunity to help clients overcome distorted self-image or thoughts. I was once blessed to have some therapy sessions with a clinical psychologist who was studying counselling with me. He helped me to identify some core negative beliefs I had about myself and who challenged me to find 10 scripture verses which replaced those beliefs and repeat them to myself daily. The effect was powerful!
4. Will have a theological foundation for their counselling approach – A Catholic counsellor’s approach to therapy will be guided by their beliefs and theological foundations. For example, a belief in the inherent dignity of each human person, being made in the image and likeness of God will inform the way the counsellor treats each client, no matter their past or their failings. A counsellor may also utilise theology to help clients understand certain actions. For example, by explaining Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the subjective nature of each person (that each person is a thinking, feeling, relating subject, rather than just a physical object to be used) , a person experiencing addiction to pornography may feel an added motivation to seek to control this.
5. Will pray for you before and after you arrive for counselling – One of the beautiful habits that was taught to us in my counselling studies was to get in the habit of praying alone for the client before and after each session. Furthermore, we were taught to always ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance before each session to allow God to influence the session powerfully.
6. Should have their true end of getting to heaven in mind – A good Catholic counsellor will have not only the immediate emotional wellbeing of the client in mind, but also their eternal wellbeing. That’s a comforting thought for any client!

While each person is different and must find the therapist that feels right for them, there are some significant benefits for Catholics to engage in therapy with a Catholic counsellor.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash