What does it mean to see a Catholic therapist?
8/25/25
You may be wondering what the appeal of meeting with a Catholic therapist might be, or maybe you have some assumptions about what it means to work with a Catholic therapist. In this post, I hope to not only showcase what it means to Sacred Heart to serve the community from a Catholic viewpoint, but also invite you to reflect on what you may need from a therapist.
At Sacred Heart, we believe being a Catholic therapist means that we view each client as a unique individual created in the image of our loving God. We know that every person that we meet is made in the image and likeness of God. They were made in relationships and for relationships, meaning that as humans, we aren’t meant to carry things on our own. We also believe that every person we meet has an unique experience of the world, relationships, God, and themselves. Empathy isn't just feeling your pain, it’s our way of entering into it with care, to help you emerge stronger. Lastly, we know that every person has inherent dignity and beauty, and they deserve respect and autonomy.
We offer empathy grounded in hope, deeply present without losing sight of your autonomy, fostering healing rather than co‑suffering. Because we view each person this way, we often take a “non-pathologizing” stance for our clients. Meaning that we don’t want to see your identity wrapped up in a diagnosis. We want to provide a space for you to grow, develop, and freely live your identity.
What Catholic therapy isn’t? If you’re Catholic and desire to weave spirituality, prayer, or theology into therapy, we’ll walk with you. But if not, your journey remains wholly yours. While we’re trained to integrate spiritual resources like prayer or Catholic perspectives, we do so only when it supports what you ask for.
Your therapy journey is yours to shape, you are free to identify your needs. Additionally, we warmly welcome all backgrounds, faiths, and life stories. Our role is to listen, support, and accompany, not proselytize. Therapy grounded in empathy, respect, and biblical values can validate, not invalidate, your experiences.
We also recognize that some people carry deep wounds from religious environments and you're not alone in seeking healing. We fully acknowledge and validate the hurt that some have experienced from abuse of power in religious settings. We provide clients with a safe space to explore wounds, as well as provide a space where clients and therapists alike don’t have to hide from religion.
As you consider a therapist, we hope you'll recognize both the gift of shared faith and the promise of unconditional support. Healing and hope are possible, and this often begins with taking the first step to let someone truly see you and walk with you towards your goals. We would be honored to be part of your story.
Emma Lager, MA, LPC