As a man of faith, I am proud to offer Catholic counseling and faith-based counseling in the Memphis, TN area and online. Today, I want to take a moment and talk with you about the way I approach Catholic counseling. In this blog, I will share with you what you can expect from Catholic counseling at Vitus Counseling and explain how this service differs from the biblical or pastoral counseling you may get from a priest or clergy member.
What Catholic Counseling is NOT:
First, it’s important that you understand that I am not a pastoral counselor, priest, exorcist, or spiritual director. I cannot absolve you of your sins, exorcise demons out of you, or teach you how to discern God's voice. But, I can offer you Catholic resources to help you heal. As a faithful and involved Catholic in the Memphis diocese as well as a member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and CatholicTherapists.com, I am very connected in the Catholic community, So, I can refer you to members of the Church who do offer these types of services.
If these are the services you’re looking for, I would recommend you still consider working with myself or another Catholic counselor. We can also offer you evidence-based therapeutic treatments that will complement these services. And, we can help you get to the root of why you’re experiencing these difficulties in the first place.
What you can expect from Catholic Counseling at Vitus Counseling
My ultimate goal as a therapist, specifically a Catholic therapist is to help you find light in dark places. This means I will help you work through struggles like anxiety, depression, marital issues, family concerns, trauma, ADHD, addiction, and more. I can do this with or without incorporating Catholic teachings. However, if you do come to me for Catholic counseling, it’s very important that you know that I use psychotherapy models like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Brainspotting during counseling. These therapy modalities are in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Furthermore, I will never make any clinical recommendations to you that may violate your Catholic conscience.
As a therapist, it is my responsibility to meet you (and anyone you bring with you to therapy) where you’re at. This means I will not try and convert you to Catholicism or encourage you to “be a better Catholic” or “pray harder.” Instead, I will help you address the issues that matter to you and help you incorporate your faith in a way that feels authentic and comfortable to you.
If you want to discuss your spirituality in counseling, know that it does not matter if you are a brand new convert to the Church, a revert who is just coming back into the Church, or you are a lifelong daily Masser. Wherever you’re at or would like to be, trust that I would be honored and thrilled to work with you on your counseling goals and journey towards healing.
Additional Spiritual Resources
Additionally, if you’re looking for more ways our faith can be combined with psychotherapy, I would be happy to recommend some supplemental reading and resources for you to consider. Some of my favorite recommendations are books on praying the Rosary, devotion to the Sacred Heart, consecration to St. Joseph and Mary, and the Divine Mercy. I have a curated list of recommendations that can help you grow in virtue and further develop your spiritual life.
Here are two of my favorite books:
The Benefits of Catholic Counseling
Lastly, it’s important to note that there are some major benefits of working with a Catholic therapist. One of the major benefits is protecting your privacy. Often Catholics do not seek help for mental health concerns due to a fear of ruining their reputation or their family’s reputation within the Church community. But, when you’re working with a therapist, especially one who offers online therapy (as most of us do nowadays), then this is not something you have to be concerned with. No one from your religious community needs to know you’re going to counseling unless you choose to disclose that information.
Another benefit is that we often can use therapeutic methods that a clergy member is not trained in or licensed to use. This is not meant to lead you astray from the teachings of our Faith. Instead, these are meant to help you heal from your troubles, so you can build a stronger relationship with the Church.
Begin Catholic Counseling in Memphis, TN or online therapy in Tennessee
If you’re looking for a Catholic therapist and live in the state of Tennessee, I would be honored to speak with you about the ways I can help you heal and live well. To begin counseling in Germantown, TN, or online therapy in Tennessee, follow these steps:
Reach out to me at stucook@vituscounseling.com or (901)-257-9031
Set up an appointment for Catholic counseling.
Begin therapy and find powerful spiritual and emotional healing.
THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED BY STU COOK AT VITUS COUNSELING
I offer a variety of counseling services in Germantown, TN that are designed to provide light in the dark places. I offer Brainspotting, Catholic counseling, trauma treatment, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, ADHD treatment, couples therapy, family counseling, and addiction treatment. I know that sometimes it is challenging to make it to my counseling clinic, therefore I offer online therapy in Tennessee. I also blog to provide you with relevant mental health information. Contact me to learn more about the many ways I can help you heal.
