All Articles

Choosing a spouse might be the most important decision that you will make in your life. (Photo: Adobe Stock) By Mark Sanders, LPC, CAS Lisa Smith, LPCC Grace Cole, LPC, LIMHP, CPC St. Raphael Counseling In our work as couples therapists at St. Raphael Counseling, we have seen the extremes. On the one hand, we have had clients who struggled in their relationship and even recognized red flags before getting married that they didn’t acknowledge at the time. On the other hand, we

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Micah Ellalasingham, MFT-C St. Raphael Counseling Communication Breakdown As a Marriage and Family Therapist, the most common concern couples bring into the therapy room is some variation of “We can’t communicate.” Spouses, feeling unheard, are seeking the “tools” to fix it. However, within the session, a deeper pattern usually emerges. When couples say, “We need to work on communication,” what they often mean is, “I want you to listen to me and fulfil

Let Lent lead us into love through Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities offers several opportunities to get involved and give back this Lent, from Fort Collins to the Denver Metro, from the Western Slope to your own neighborhood. (Photo provided) Lent arrives every year like an invitation, quiet but impossible to ignore. The ashes on our foreheads remind us that life is brief, and love is meant to be shared widely. You may be thinking about what to give up, but Lent also as

(Photo: Lightstock) St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, is excited to introduce a new six-week Marriage Preparation Program, designed to help engaged couples build a strong faith-filled foundation for lifelong partnership. Endorsed by the Archdiocese of Denver, this program reflects St. Raphael Counseling’s commitment to supporting healthy marriages by combining sound psychological science with Catholic teaching.  St. Raphael Counseling provides compassi

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Michelle Connor Harris, Psy.D. Executive Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Bring to mind your best Christmas memory. Was it receiving a particular gift that you longed for? Decorating the Christmas tree? Maybe it was baking Christmas cookies with your mom and getting to lick the last bit of frosting from the spatula. If you’re a parent, perhaps you recall the giddy anticipation of your children on Christmas Eve and their

By Lisa Smith, MA St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities When we face the loss of someone we love, our hearts often struggle to make sense of what feels impossible to bear. At St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, we witness this sacred space every day: where pain, love and faith meet in the human heart. It’s in this space that healing begins, and where God quietly reminds us that even in our sorrow, we are never alone. Recently, during o

How to talk with our parents — and ourselves — about death with love, sensitivity and faith (Photo: Lightstock) By Lisa Smith, MA, LPCC Outpatient Therapist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities   Death is one of life’s few certainties, yet one of the hardest realities to face. Even as people of faith who believe in eternal life, many of us struggle to confront our own mortality — or the thought of losing our parents. Pope Francis once said, “Death is not t

Through prayer, partnership and pastoral care, Denver Catholics are working together to honor the dignity of every person at life’s end this End-of-Life Respect Month and every day. (Photo: Unsplash) By Erin Scherer “Where was this two years ago when my mom died?” asked one participant at last year’s End-of-Life Conference at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora. The gathering brought together several ministries serving families in their final journeys of life, offering resources,

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Angela Wall Licensed Clinical & School Psychologist St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities As parents and grandparents of children in 2025, we face many unique challenges strikingly different from past generations. The one thing we do have in common is our love for our children and our faith in God. We treasure our families and cherish the time we have together. We value the beauty and innocence of childhood. God's light shines on

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Albert Pace Clinical Director St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Many Catholics worry about taking medication for mental health concerns. This concern has only increased in recent years, as distrust of the pharmaceutical industry has grown. While the topic of psychiatric medication is very broad, there are several common concerns that Catholics express when this conversation arises in therapy. Common Concern 1: Fear of Over-Re

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Pedro Pablo St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities Many of us live day by day, only focused on the next thing: the next bill, the next paycheck, the next event. We often live merely to survive, with no time to think about other aspects of life. Sometimes, our only focus is on the physical needs. It’s a way of life that is understandable, but it overlooks the spiritual, interpersonal, community and psychological needs that we all have.

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Mark Sanders, LPC CAS Marketing and Operations Coordinator St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities When I began my career 25 years ago, one of the biggest obstacles was the stigma around seeking professional help. Many believed it was “weak” to ask for help, so they went without the support that could have made a difference. Catholics, in particular, often hesitated, unsure about working with a therapist who might not share their faith

(Photo: Adobe Stock) In recent weeks, communities across the country have again been shaken by tragic acts of violence. From Minneapolis...

Holiness and mental health are not mutually exclusive — in fact, God meets us precisely in our struggles. (Photo: Denver Catholic design)...

Healthy boundaries and loving accompaniment can help teens replace digital stress with lasting peace. By Aby Garcia St. Raphael...

(Photo provided) For Mary Ann Looby, retirement has been anything but slowing down. Instead, she has poured her gifts and professional...

(Photo: Lightstock) You are invited to join in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Novena for Mental Health from October...

(Photo: Adobe Stock) By Dr. Angela Wall St. Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities   Acts of violence, especially in...

(Photo: Lightstock) Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is clear: the Father desires to heal his children. He healed the blind and the lame,...

Freedom and healing from pornography addiction or dependence are possible. (Photo:Lightstock) By Mark R. Sanders, LPC, CAS St. Raphael...