The Catholic Therapist

Leisure Is Worship — The Catholic Case for Rest ft. Dr. Tim White

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: The Basis of Culture, and the latest research in psychology and blue zone longevity, Adam and Tim make the case that leisure isn't a reward you earn through hard work. It's the foundation everything else is built on — including worship.

Topics covered:
• Why "work will set you free" is a lie from Auschwitz to Silicon Valley
• The Genesis story and what was lost — and restored — through Christ
• What real rest looks like (hint: it's not Netflix or a beach vacation)
• Flow states, play, and why winners in sports look completely incoherent
• Mindfulness with God as a secure attachment figure
• "The opposite of sin is not virtue but praise" — and what that means practically
• Blue zones, enjoyment, and why leisure-centred living actually helps you live longer
• Practical steps for stepping out of the productivity trap and into Sabbath rest

If you've been burning the candle at both ends and wondering why you still feel empty, this conversation is for you.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com
Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Can't Stop Overthinking? A Catholic Therapist's Guide to Journaling

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 narrative storytelling to inner child check-ins, morning pages to sketchbooks, this conversation covers journaling in all its forms — with warmth, humor, and real clinical insight.

Topics covered:
• The neuroscience of narrative and why journaling releases serotonin
• Adam's simple emotional check-in method: sad, mad, glad, afraid
• Free-association morning pages, sketchbooks, and non-word journaling
• The Catholic history of journaling from early Church Fathers to modern saints
• How to journal about trauma safely — without retraumatizing yourself
• Inner child and parts work journaling for deeper self-awareness
• AI and journaling: a thoughtful caution with practical guidance
• A summer challenge to build a daily check-in habit

Whether you're brand new to journaling or looking to deepen your practice, this episode offers something for everyone seeking a more honest, compassionate relationship with themselves.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com
Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Your Intrusive Thoughts Don't Define You: The Truth About Catholic OCD

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.

Together they unpack the clinical reality that scrupulosity is rooted in anxiety and OCD, not poor faith — and they share what actually helps people heal, from ERP therapy and parts work, to the role of medication, spiritual direction, and a healthy God image.

Topics covered:

• What scrupulosity is (and isn't) — theologically and clinically
• Intrusive thoughts: the difference between temptation and desire
• The lifeboat analogy: when coping strategies become obstacles
• ERP for scrupulosity: sitting with uncertainty instead of seeking certainty
• Reassurance seeking — and what families can say instead
• SSRIs, GeneSight testing, and the Church's view on medication
• Nervous system regulation and experiencing God's peace

Healing is possible. This conversation is proof.

Have questions? Visit adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Why Do Catholics Struggle to Speak Up? The Theology of Assertiveness

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 psychology and Catholic spirituality, Adam reflects on how fear of rejection and abandonment quietly drives passivity, how self-dismissal often has deep roots in our personal histories, and why the call to "Be Not Afraid" applies directly to our relationships and our inner life. He also offers practical tools - including I-statements and the invitation to healing work - for anyone who wants to grow in honest, charitable communication.

Topics covered:

• Assertiveness as the intersection of truth and charity
• What we're really afraid of when we stay silent
• How past experiences of dismissal shape present passivity
• Inviting Christ into places of fear and self-silencing
• I-statements and speaking truth without blame
• Recognizing your needs as God-given

Your voice matters. This episode is an invitation to believe that.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Catholic Therapist Explains the Holy Spirit's Role in Healing

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, trauma processing through EMDR with Christ as a safe person, or simply trusting that the Holy Spirit is working even when he isn't named out loud - every session is rooted in the belief that God is actively working for your healing.

Topics covered:

• Why the Holy Spirit is always active in healing - explicitly or not
• How faith is integrated in a client-led, respectful way
• Using EMDR alongside Catholic prayer and imagery
• Catholic anthropology and what it means to be fully human
• Why God wants you to take real steps in your healing
• Therapy as accompaniment on the road to healing

God doesn't just want you to carry your cross - he wants to heal you through it. Take that step.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Your Body Isn't the Enemy: Theology of the Body, Shame & Sexual Freedom

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 Minnesota, to explore what happens when Theology of the Body meets the clinical realities of sexual shame and addiction.

Topics covered:

• How scrupulosity can turn sexuality into a source of shame rather than a gift
• Pornography addiction, age of first exposure, and understanding the shame cycle it creates
• JP2's insight that arousal is a physiological response to something good, and how that reframes guilt
• The concept of "use" from Love and Responsibility, objectification, and human dignity
• Viewing addiction as a cry for what is missing rather than simply a behaviour to stop
• Internal Family Systems, parts work, and how Catholic moral theology fits alongside it
• Dopamine research and why persevering toward virtue matters more than achieving perfection
• How St. Mary's University of Minnesota trains the next generation of Catholic clinicians with a full anthropological foundation
• Theology of the Body applied to exercise, fasting, medication, and trauma healing

There is real freedom in knowing your body is not the enemy. This episode brings that truth home through both the wisdom of JP2 and decades of clinical experience.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Yep, You Can Hear God's Voice Today!

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 is distant or silent. He shares practical wisdom on cultivating daily listening prayer, discerning God's voice from other influences, and responding to the Father's heart for your personal healing.

Topics covered:

• Your baptismal identity as priest, prophet, and king
• What prophetic ministry really means for everyday Catholics
• Practical steps to listen for God's voice daily
• How to discern what you're hearing through peace and good fruit
• Common obstacles that prevent us from hearing God
• Why God speaks directly to our wounds and healing journey

Whether you're new to listening prayer or have struggled to hear God clearly, this episode offers hope-filled encouragement that your Heavenly Father wants to speak to you right now.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Finding Hope and Healing Through Catholic Therapy: An Interview with Katelyn Smedley

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 session is hope.

Katelyn Smedley, LMFT Email: katelyn.lmft@gmail.com Phone: (805) 914-8253 Currently accepting new clients Fully virtual therapy sessions Specializes in women and families.

Catholic Therapy Center Website: catholictherapycenter.com

This conversation goes deeper than typical therapy discussions. Katelyn explains how Catholic therapy invites people to discover their true identity as beloved children of God, moving beyond merely surviving trauma to experiencing true resurrection and freedom. From practical tools like the "size of problem" scale to the profound difference between Catholic and secular mindfulness, this episode offers both encouragement and concrete guidance for anyone considering therapy.

Topics covered:

• Why hope is the foundation of the therapeutic journey
• Setting realistic expectations for what therapy can (and can't) do
• The Catholic understanding of identity and healing
• How resurrection theology transforms our approach to trauma
• Practical tools for managing overwhelming expectations
• The difference between surviving and thriving
• What makes Catholic mindfulness uniquely powerful

If you're wondering whether therapy is right for you or what makes Catholic counseling different, this conversation will give you clarity and hope.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Gratitude with Grief: Holding Both in Catholic Life

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 explores:

• Why "just be grateful" advice can feel dismissive (even when well-intentioned)
• The biblical story of St. Paul singing hymns in prison
• How God became man to suffer with us, not just console us from a distance
• The connection between Mary's trust and her joy
• Practical ways to hold space for both grief and gratitude in your own life and with others

This isn't about dismissing pain or forcing positivity. It's about recognizing that grief and gratitude aren't mutually exclusive but can exist together as we wait for God's resurrection in our lives.

Key Quote: "The opposite of sin is not virtue, but praise. The opposite of sin is remembering that God is goodness."

Referenced Resources:

• "Big God Little Devil" by Dr. Shan Tobin
• Father Raniero Cantalamessa (Preacher to the Papal Household)
• Sister Miriam James on Mary's fiat

Whether you're navigating your own season of grief or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers theological depth and practical wisdom for honoring both the weight of suffering and the hope of the Gospel.

About Adam Cross: Adam Cross is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in Southern California, specializing in Catholic therapy and integrating faith with mental health treatment.

Connect with Adam: Website: www.adamcrosslmft.com Instagram: @adamcrosslmft

Therapy Where Faith Meets Healing with Luis Lopez

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 honesty can actually happen
• Why shame makes us lie (even to our therapists)
• How attachment wounds impact our ability to trust and connect
• The purpose of suffering in both healing and spiritual growth
• Why therapy isn't about being comfortable all the time
• How mental health work prepares us for sainthood

If you've ever wondered whether therapy could help you grow not just mentally but spiritually, this conversation will give you hope that healing is possible, and holiness is within reach.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623