Catholic Therapy: Is It For You?

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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 or worldview. The fear of being misunderstood, or worse, encouraged in directions contrary to their beliefs, kept many people from even considering counseling.

Wow! Times have changed.

While stigma still exists in some circles, many people today are open to therapy — especially younger generations. For example, a recent dating app survey found that more than half of men and women value therapy, or openness to it, in a potential partner.

This signals a cultural shift: seeking help is no longer viewed as weakness but as wisdom, strength and even a sign of emotional maturity.

Across the Archdiocese of Denver, St Raphael Counseling, a ministry of Catholic Charities, now offers nearly 40 staff members to provide therapy from a Catholic perspective. For Catholics, this means they can receive high-quality professional care without having to set aside their faith. This integration of faith and therapy allows us to care for the whole person — body, mind and soul.

Therapy can lead to better mental health, stronger coping skills, healthier relationships and deeper self-awareness. It can also help people adopt a more hopeful and grateful outlook. For instance, a young adult struggling with perfectionism may learn to recognize unhealthy thought patterns, shift toward self-compassion and experience new freedom in their relationships. A couple locked in constant arguments may discover new ways to listen and reconnect. A parent carrying grief from childhood trauma may finally process painful memories and find healing, which in turn affects how they raise their own children. Opening up can be difficult, especially about long-standing struggles, but the benefits usually far outweigh the challenges.

So, who is therapy for?

The short answer: everyone.

At St Raphael Counseling, we see individuals, couples and families. Some come with diagnosed mental illnesses like depression or anxiety, others seek help with communication in relationships and many want a safe space to process life’s challenges or pursue personal growth. A newly married couple may come to learn how to start their life together with strong communication skills. A retiree may come to navigate the loss of identity after leaving the workforce. Teenagers often come to explore identity, anxiety or family conflicts. No matter the reason, therapy provides a structured, supportive environment to work toward growth.

Therapy is not the same as spiritual direction. A priest or deacon provides guidance in areas like prayer and faith formation, while a therapist focuses on mental and emotional well-being. Still, the two complement each other, working hand-in-hand to support the whole person. Someone seeing a spiritual director may be guided toward deeper prayer practices, while therapy can address the underlying anxiety or trauma that makes prayer difficult. Both roles are vital, but they serve in different ways.

Addictions are one area where this integration is especially powerful. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous emphasize reliance on a “higher power.” Many people try to fill a “God-sized hole” with alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography. Therapy, combined with faith and community support, can help them surrender control and find healing. I once worked with a client who had tried for years to stop drinking on his own but kept relapsing. When he began to integrate prayer, community accountability and therapy, he discovered that recovery wasn’t about willpower alone but about letting God and others walk with him.

I often think of the story of the woman who prayed for God to save her during a flood but refused help from rescuers. After she drowned, she asked God why he didn’t intervene. He replied, “I sent you two boats and a helicopter!” I see therapy similarly: a vessel through which God offers healing.

It’s a privilege to witness clients discover new insights that transform their lives. Sometimes the transformation is dramatic, like overcoming an addiction, but often it’s subtle: a shift in perspective, a release of shame, a new sense of peace. Those moments, small or large, are sacred ground.

So, is therapy for you? There’s no set formula. Some people come for a few sessions, others stay for years. The key is finding value in the process, not just checking it off a list. Therapy works best when you bring real issues to the table, not just surface concerns. If you come with openness, honesty and a willingness to grow, you’re more likely to see results.

If you’re curious, I encourage you to try a session or two. It just might change your life. Therapy is not about labeling you as “broken,” but about helping you live more fully. God created us as whole beings — body, mind and soul. When one area suffers, the others do too. Therapy can be one of the ways God restores balance, heals wounds and strengthens us for the journey.