Total Credits: 13.5 including 13.5 APA Credit, 13.5 NBCC Credit, 1.5 Ethics Credit
The 2024 Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference will visit our understanding of the role marriage and family have in human flourishing in accordance with God’s plan for our salvation. We will review the foundations of our understanding of the human person, the complimentary between man and women, and the becoming of one flesh that the marriage covenant establishes. Particular focus will be given to ways in which human brokenness is made manifest within relationships and vocational states. Current issues affecting the human person(s) within the Sacrament of Marriage and their family will be discussed from the integrated perspectives of scientific literature, clinical practice and Catholic anthropology.
Catholic mental health and affiliated professionals must be formed, informed, and equipped to address familial concerns in ways that are ethically sound, empirically supported, faithful to Catholic anthropology, and practically feasible. The conference will address the etiology and treatment of various disruptions affecting the intimate communion of love and life between a man, woman and their family. Particular attention will be given to topics related to etiology (medical, psychological, social, and spiritual), evidence-based treatment and ethical and legal precautions relevant to the Catholic psychotherapist.
The Catholic Psychotherapy Association aims to serve the Church by addressing psychological and relational issues within marriage and family systems. This also includes ways in which practitioners may assist individuals in living their vocation to the fullest, and restoring communion and participation in the Church.
Patronage: St. Joan of Arc, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, and St. Therese of Lisieux
I am not afraid; I was born to do this—Joan of Arc.
Soon we'll have the intimate happiness of the family, and it's this beauty that brings us closer to him. —St Louis Martin
The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely. —St. Zelie Martin
The good God gave me a father and mother more worthy of Heaven than of earth. —St. Therese of Lisieux
The Catholic Psychotherapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Catholic Psychotherapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Refunds will not be offered for this event. However, every registrant will receive a copy of the recorded presentation and the opportunity to complete the home study and receive CE credits at a later date. Any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mary Hanys at mhanys@catholicpsychotherapy.org for more details.
| Ethical Considerations, Catholic Referrals (1.1 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| The Family Immigration Experience (1.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Piteo & Madere (2024) handouts full pages (3.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 1 Theology of the Body and Gender Identity 2024 (4) (9.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 0420A Developmental-Exploratory Approach to Adolescent Sexual Identity (114.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 1 Theology of the Body and Gender Identity 2024 (4) (9.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 0420A Developmental-Exploratory Approach to Adolescent Sexual Identity (114.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Discovery to Recovery (675.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Inpatient Vs. Outpatient (25.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Partners Recovery Plan (3 circles) (1) (131.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Recovery Plan (3 circles) (141.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| The Living Scripture Method (267.3 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 16.12 Directives to Contemplation-1.pdf (104.6 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 15PrayerstoForgiveness.pdf (122 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 14TruthAboutFORGIVENESS 1.pdf (133 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 13HEALING OF MEMORIES.pdf (153.2 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 12Elephant and Chain.pdf (174.3 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 11Carlos and the Banana Bread.pdf (146.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 10Truth_About_Crying.pdf (415.4 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 9Truth About Suffering.pdf (149.9 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 8EmotionalAcceptance.pdf (107.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 8EmotionalAcceptance.pdf (107.5 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 7Litany for Self-awareness.pdf (90.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 6ExaminationOfConscience 1.pdf (210.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 5Stages of Changing Yourself.pdf (77 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 4Correcting Perfectionism.pdf (131.2 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 2The Big 5 Prayers.pdf (119.2 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| 1The Humility Prayer.pdf (95.2 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Loving Dangerously.pptx.pdf (1.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Defending the Internal Family.pdf (3.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Developmental-Exploratory Approach to Adolescent Sexual Identity.pdf (114.8 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Intersubjective Self Psychology - part 1 (2.2 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Intersubjective Self Psychology - part 2 (2.1 MB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Trusting God's Design: Working with Blocks in Couples Therapy | Available after Purchase | ||
Fr. Bryce Sibley is a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette. He studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. In 2001 he received his Licentiate degree from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Rome. After several pastoral assignments, in 2010 he was appointed as pastor and chaplain at Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he served for 11 years. He now serves as professor of moral theology and spiritual director at Notre Dame Seminary.
Shannon Mullen, Ph.D., CSAT-S, is a Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist and Supervisor by the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. She has more than 20 years of experience in assessment and treatment and is considered an expert in sexual behavior and trauma recovery. Dr. Mullen is EMDR trained and is an IFS therapist as well. She regularly teaches and supervises other professionals in this work.
Shane Gomes earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA. He is a North Carolina licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, and he is the chair and associate professor of psychology at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC. Dr. Gomes has worked for over 20 years in private practice both in CA and NC conducting individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy with various populations, especially individuals who struggle with pornography addiction, other sexual addictions, alcohol and drug addictions, gambling addictions, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, sleep disorders, schizophrenia and personality disorders.. Dr. Gomes has taught both undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, including courses in human sexuality, psychology of gender, addictions, child sexual abuse and violence in relation to pornography and other addictions. Dr. Gomes had spent several years treating children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder and other mental disorders in an outpatient mental health clinic. He has given several trainings and workshops to mental health professionals on assessing and treating children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, attachment disorders with foster/adoptive children, and on law and ethics. In addition to professional experience, Dr. Gomes has taught religious education, confirmation classes, adult faith formation classes, and served as lector, sacristan, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and choir member at his parish in CA and currently in NC. He has a small private practice in Gastonia, NC, and he has an extensive work history in inpatient psychiatric care, outpatient psychotherapy and day treatment with adults, children, adolescents, couples, families and groups. Dr. Gomes, his wife and two sons live in North Carolina.
Dr. Theresa Burke is the founder of the Living Scripture InstituteTM which serves as the International training arm for the programs she has created including Rachel’s Vineyard: Healing the Pain of AbortionTM; Grief to Grace: Healing the Wounds of AbuseTM; and Duty to Heal: Finding Peace for a Soldier’s HeartTM. Professionally crafted and doctrinally sound, these ministries provide a unique sensory based treatment that integrates psychological and spiritual dimensions in a retreat setting. Dr. Burke provides clinical training for mental health professionals and clergy/religious. Her ministries are currently offered in 45 languages throughout the world.
Margaret Laracy, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in the Chicago area. Her prior clinical experience includes work in community-based, hospital, and group practice settings. She completed her PsyD at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (now Divine Mercy University) and psychoanalytic training through the Contemporary Freudian Society. She has taught at the graduate level at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
Greg Kolodziejczak is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Cambridge, Massachusets, specializing in the treatment of BPD, as well as the integration of psychology and the spiritual life. He received his PsyD from Divine Mercy University in 2006, having previously received an MA in theology from Catholic University of America and a PhD in ocean engineering from MIT. Although he finds his home in Intersubjecive Self Psychology, his background also includes training in DBT, Mindfulness, Emotonally Focused Therapy, Mentalizaton Based Treatment, Internal Family Systems, Relatonship Enhancement Therapy, Bowen Family Systems Theory, and affectve neuroscience.
Father Walter Schu, LC is an assistant professor at Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Virginia. He currently serves as chaplain of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and as a member of the doctrinal committee for the Catholic Medical Association boot camp.
Father Schu obtained his doctorate in moral theology summa cum laude from Regina Apostolorum Athenaeum in Rome. His doctoral thesis, directed by Michael Waldstein, was “John Paul II’s Personalism as the Foundation for his Theology of the Body.”
Father Schu is the author of The Splendor of Love: John Paul II’s Vision for Marriage and Family, which has been translated into Spanish.
Michelle Browning is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Supervisor and an EMDR Approved Consultant & Trainer. She is a co-author of the CPA Code of Ethics. She has been in private practice for 11 years and is co-owner of Intuitus Group in Cedar Park, TX. She works with couples, families, and individuals experiencing various forms of trauma and relationship trauma. Michelle assists her Diocese with screening and preparing couples for Diaconal Formation, assisting with Seminarian screening, offering expert opinion for the Tribunal Annulment process, and facilitating classes for Catholic adults struggling with the pain of divorce. Michelle served on the CPA Board of Directors as Treasurer from 2019-2021.
Maribel graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in Psychology in 2004 and from University of North Texas with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 2007. Ms. Laguna is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Dallas, Texas, where she is the founder and owner of Cor Sacrum Counseling and Consulting. She is also the past board president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. Maribel has worked as a counselor in a variety of settings including the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter, and Dallas Independent School District Youth and Family Centers. She specializes in premarital preparation, marital counseling and vocational discernment, working closely with diocesan vocational leaders. Additionally, Maribel is a presenter at various Catholic conferences around the country and has been a guest on EWTN’s Cara a Cara.
Laura graduated from Sam Houston State University with a B.S. in Psychology in 2013 and with an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2016, specializing in couples, marriage, and families. Mrs. Aguirre is a wife, mother, and a bilingual Licensed Professional Counselor and approved supervisor in Houston, Texas. She is the founder and owner of Begin Again Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. She is trained in EMDR, and has completed Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She is certified in “Prepare-Enrich” and “Fully Engaged” pre-marriage inventories and has received training in marriage preparation ministry from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Family Life Ministry.
As a practicing Catholic, Laura makes sure to treat everyone with respect and care. She strives to make sure every client is seen and heard. Therapeutic interventions blend Catholic teaching and strive to highlight God-given dignity to every client who walks in her door.
Laura is here to walk with couples and families who are trying to revitalize, strengthen, or heal relationships, as well as individuals who have an untold story, suffer in silence, and those who feel lonely, sad, stuck, afraid, and hopeless. Laura has experience in a variety of settings including acute care in psychiatric hospitals, residential care facilities, and community health. Laura also has extensive experience working with those in clergy and religious life.
Her main focus is to ensure that she meets the client where they are in their season of life and to help each person feel heard and accepted. In an effort to be an effective counselor, Mrs. Aguirre utilizes a family systems approach that focuses on relational patterns to create positive and long-lasting change by offering valuable insight. She uses a solution-focused lens that meets your specific goals and needs to identify the strengths necessary to be successful.
Being the child of immigrants, Laura also specializes in evaluations for immigration. Laura is also trained in EMDR therapy, a therapy modality designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Additionally, Laura is a presenter at Catholic conferences and has been a guest speaker on NET Catholic TV Network podcast Café con Cristo.
Sister Elena Marie is a Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia, Nashville Tennessee and holds a Ph.D in Psychology from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Prior to entering the Dominican Sisters in 2011, she worked on research projects specifically examining the effects of diet and sleep on cognitive, language, social, and emotional development in children and adolescents as well as the impacts on mental health. Since entering the religious community, Sister has continued her studies in Education by earning an MAT at Aquinas College in Nashville Tennessee and taught in high schools in the United States. In the years following, she taught Applied Psychology and Research Methods courses at the University of Notre Dame in Sydney Australia and has continued research in the area of child and adolescent mental health, social and emotional development and Trauma Informed Practices. Sister currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Aquinas College, Nashville Tennessee and is the Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan, which focuses on preparing educators to foster social and emotional learning as a trauma informed practice using a Catholic Christian model.
Jennifer Madere is a LPC-Supervisor, EMDRIA Approved Consultant/Approved Trainer and CSAT Candidate in private practice. She is a founding partner of Intuitus Group in Cedar Park, Texas. She has accompanied child and adult survivors of trauma on their journey of healing and recovery in psychotherapy since 2003.
Jennifer supervises graduate and post-graduate clinicians and consults and offers training and consultation related to treatment of complex trauma, pathological dissociation, and EMDR therapy. Jennifer also trains fellow clinicians in the ethical integration of faith and spirituality in clinical practice. Jennifer is a past President of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and co-teaches the EMDR therapy training offered by ISSTD.
In addition to numerous professional presentations in local, national, and international conferences, Jennifer is the published author of several scholarly works on the topics of consultation and screening, assessment, and differential diagnosis for dissociative disorders.
Since 2015, Jennifer has collaborated with D. Michael Coy, LICSW, and Paul Dell, PhD to update the interpretive manual and associated documents for the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID) and make the MID documents and training accessible to clinicians and researchers world-wide (see www.mid-assessment.com).
Mandy B. Mullen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Ms. Mullen received a B.S. in Human Services and has a Master of Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. Her current professional specialties are betrayal trauma, play therapy, trauma counseling, child and adolescent behavioral problems, marital therapy, and relationship counseling. Ms. Mullen is a Certified Partner Trauma Therapist (CPTT) working with the partners of sex addicts and their experience of betrayal trauma. She is also certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR, and Internal Family Systems treatment level one.
I have worked with clients who see spirituality as an especially important part of their therapy. I have treated successfully clients dealing with spiritual and religious abuse, anger towards God, depression, anxiety, abandonment and rejection, obsessive and compulsive thoughts, eating disorders, body image issues, sexuality concerns, sexual addictions, intimate relationship difficulties, marriage and family problems, pre-marital concerns, women struggling with post- abortion depression, childhood sexual abuse and trauma. I have worked with religious leaders and their families.
I am a Deacon within the Roman Catholic Church. I am a Board-Certified Chaplain and a Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor. I have 15 years’ experience working in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and major medical hospitals. I am an expert in marriage and family therapy, spiritual care, and individual counseling. I see all my clients as made in the Image of God and worthy of His love. I offer compassion, empathy, mercy, and non-judgement to every client I see. I will not let your past and struggles change my view. I will do my best to guide you on the road of healing and recovery.
Peter Attridge, MFT is a PhD candidate at the University of Georgia. His current research focuses on attachment during parent-child interactions and the roles of fathers in the emotional development of their children. Peter also is a practicing marriage and family therapist in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. Peter is the Clinical Director of Holy Family Counseling Center and his clinical work includes working with various forms of trauma utilizing EMDR and Experiential therapies; he also focuses on addiction work with couples and individuals.
Lara Katherine Miller is an American writer, professional spiritual director, Catholic lay moral theologian, and former seminary professor of psychology. She works both as a psychologist in Mexico and a professional counselor in the United States and is the executive director and founder of Theology Of the Soul Psychology Institute (TOS), www.theologyofthesoul.org. In 2001, Miller began developing and practicing her approaches of True Psychology and Lasting Healing Psychology, titled 10 Steps to Lasting Healing, which she formally wrote and taught while adjunct Professor of Psychology at the San José Obrero Seminary, Diocese de Ciudad Altamirano, México, México beginning in 2016.
I am a Certified EFT Therapist and ICEEFT approved Supervisor Candidate trained to work with adults via individual and couples therapy. I am licensed in Texas and Nebraska, as well as certified to provide teletherapy to all PSYPACT affiliated states (https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap). I love what I do, which is fueled by my passion for accompanying my clients through the sadness and fears of confronting unprocessed pain, the excitement of progressing in small and big ways, and the feeling of victory at the end of treatment. It is an honor to be a part of this process and to share the sacred ground where healing can occur.
Dr. Alexandra Marcotte is the co-owner and director of Sacred Ground Psychotherapy, PLLC with her husband in Keller, TX. She is a licensed psychologist, holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Divine Mercy University (DMU), and is an ICEEFT Certified Emotionally Focused (EFT) therapist. She specializes in offering faith-integrated care to adults and couples across the United States through therapy, intensive couples therapy, and marriage workshops. She has presented to audiences across the United States on the neuroscience of love and attachment, with a focus on making the intersection of faith and science actionable so audiences can make meaningful connections that facilitate real experiences of change. Her favorite place is with her people (including her husband, four children, and two dogs), or reading a good book while camping in the mountains.
Gerry Ken Crete, PhD, is a marriage and family therapist and professional counselor specializing in the treatment of trauma and addictions, as well as marriage counseling and treatment of clergy and religious. He is an EMDRIA approved EMDR consultant, IFS-informed, and trained in Ego State Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Crete is the founder of Transfiguration Counseling and Coaching (www.transfigurationcounseling.com) which provides virtual counseling, coaching, and spiritual care consulting, and has offices in downtown Cumming, GA, Epiphany of our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Roswell, GA, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Atlanta, GA, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. He is also the co-founder of Souls and Hearts (www.soulsandhearts.com) which is an online platform providing mental health education to Catholics through courses, podcasts, blogs, and online communities. Dr. Crete earned his doctorate in counselor education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Crete has been married for over 30 years, and he has three grown children.
Christian Amalu attended The Institute for the Psychological Sciences at Divine Mercy University and obtained his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Baylor University Counseling Center and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dr. Amalu adheres to an Integrationist theoretical orientation, drawing primarily from Internal Family Systems, Interpersonal Process, and Psychodynamic/Attachment approaches. His dissertation offers an anthropological reconciliation between IFS and the Catholic tradition. Dr. Amalu also holds a master’s degree in psychology from Divine Mercy University and a bachelor’s degree in Physiology from California State University, East Bay.
Emily Dowdell, Psy.D. earned her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) at Divine Mercy University, in Arlington, VA. She previously studied Theology and Philosophy while obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Communications from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio.
Dr. Dowdell has had a diverse training experience, working in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, residential substance use programs, and state and private psychiatric hospitals. She completed her pre-internship year at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, DC and her internship and postdoctoral fellowship at Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta, Maine. She recently worked with the CatholicPsych Institute, as the Director of Assessments, where she provided individual and marital therapy, and psychological evaluations.
Dr. Dowdell is trained in adolescent, adult, marital, family, and group therapies as well as psychological testing, including evaluations for discerners of the priesthood or religious life. She is an active member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association (CPA). Dr. Dowdell is currently working at Ruah Woods Psychological Services, providing traditional psychotherapy grounded in a Catholic-Christian anthropology and conducting evaluations with the team for seminary and religious discerners.
Dr. Dowdell is originally from Rhode Island, born and raised Catholic. She now lives in the Cincinnati, OH area with her husband and three boys.
As a play therapist, I believe that play can be used to help families and children find solutions. Play is our first language. Play can build trust, regulate emotions, and help us express thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain hidden. And as a marital and family therapist, I believe that play therapy works best when parents/caregivers and families are actively involved in the treatment process. I want to work with your child and family to help you reconnect. I focus on how human potential can be achieved through family relationships, and enhanced through connections with others. I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidenced-based trauma treatment modality and can be used in conjunction with play therapy with children or with adults. In addition to working with children and their families, I work with a variety of adults and couples. I especially enjoy working with adults resolve any past trauma they may have experienced as a child or working with parents determining how to best meet the needs of their child.
Carrie Milhous completed her graduate degree in Counseling at the University of Notre Dame followed by a Certificate of Advanced Graduate study In Clinical and Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She’s held licenses in Maryland, Florida and Georgia and currently is in private practice at Mosaic Psychological Services in Thomasville, Georgia. She has presented “Principles of Clinical Supervision” for the Maryland Board of ProfessionalCounselors conference and been a speaker on parenting and family counseling topics at Good Shepherd Catholic church. Carrie was also trained as a marriage mentor by Live the Live and worked with couples from Good Shepherd Catholic Church in conjunction with the Pastor to deliver state approved premarital counseling curriculum. Clinical passions include building relationship skills, betrayal recovery, trauma healing.
Fr. Tom Dillon completed a BA from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio in Philosophy and Theology, in 2005. He received a Master of Divinity (MDIV) from St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida in 2011. He was parochial vicar and director of Adult Faith Formation at several parishes in the diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, and Director of Campus Ministries at the University of West Florida (UWF) in 2012. He developed the online marriage preparation course, And It Was Good, adopted and implemented throughout the Panhandle. He currently serves as pastor of the new parish of St. John Paul II, school chaplain, and oversees the theology department at the JPII High School. In 2020 he began co-hosting the television show, Catholic in America.
Constance Salhany, LMHC, Ph.D., A-CBT, Diplomate and Fellow, Cognitive Therapy, Certified Trainer and Consultant, Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Cognitive Therapy of Staten Island, PSLMHC, PLLC. Dr. Salhany is a licensed psychologist and has been treating individuals with a broad range of anxiety and depressive disorders for more than 20 years. She received a Master of Science in School & Community Counseling from CUNY, the College of Staten Island, and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Walden University. Dr. Salhany is a licensed Psychologist in New York and New Jersey, as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York and a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. Licensed Clinical psychologist and Licensed Mental Health
