Understanding the Purpose of Therapy as a Catholic Woman
“If I just ignore everything, it will get better with time.”
There have been several seasons in my story as a Catholic woman where I’ve turned to Catholic therapists for help. I’ve sat down in their offices to discuss grief and loss, unpack trauma, learn to love my family better and invest in my marriage.
But my mental health journey has not been simple or easy. Making the decision to see a therapist meant that I had to reject lies and false mentalities that were holding me back from asking for help. I had to overcome the fear of admitting that I couldn’t heal on my own. Ignoring the situations that were causing me so much stress and worry wasn’t a solution — it was only making things worse.
I knew I needed help, but it took a lot of perseverance, prayers and work to get to therapy. I thought I was the only one who struggled to make therapy appointments, even though I knew deep down that therapy could be transformative. But after sharing my mental health journey with a few trusted friends, I realized I wasn’t alone in that experience at all.
Over the years, asking for help has become easier. This is because I better understand the purpose and mission of therapy and its role in my journey to healing. I sat down with Maribel Laguna, a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Irving, Texas, where she is the co-owner of In His Image Counseling Center. She shared what it means to have a Catholic view of therapy and why knowing the importance of integration is key to healing.
Whether you’re desiring healing in your own mental health journey or wondering how to accompany friends and family who are in therapy, it’s important to understand the purpose of therapy for Catholic women, as well as what physical and mental markers are good indicators of when to seek help from a Catholic therapist.