What does Catholic theology have to offer the field of counseling psychology? Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro joins me to explore the concept of the "blueprint of the human being" according to Catholic thought, emphasizing that we are made in the image of God, which inherently involves a relational aspect. Dr. Bottaro outlines five essential marks of relationship that shape our identity: being made in God's image, being formed in relationships, experiencing wounds in relationships, finding healing through relationships, and ultimately being destined for eternal relationship with God.

We discuss how these principles extend into family life and the ideal structures for nurturing healthy relationships. I ask Dr. Bottaro about the common perception that Catholicism promotes repression, and he offers a nuanced perspective, highlighting the importance of authentic human experience and the developmental journey toward becoming our best selves in right relation with all things.

Throughout our dialogue, we aim to uncover how understanding our relational nature can lead to deeper healing and growth, both personally and within our families. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own relationships and the transformative power of connection in the context of faith and psychology.

Dr. Greg Bottaro is a Catholic psychologist, founder of the CatholicPsych Institute and creator of the CatholicPsych Model of Applied Personalism (CPMAP). He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, and works to integrate Catholic philosophy and theology with relevant psychology. He leads the CatholicPsych Institute's mission to, "Create a Catholic Standard for Mental Health."

Before becoming a psychologist, Dr. Bottaro discerned a religious vocation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He lived in the Bronx for four years following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. Under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, this experience formed him in the spirituality of Abandonment to Divine Providence, which he now integrates with his model of psychology, along with the discernment of God's will he learned from Fr. Benedict.

In 2012, Dr. Bottaro returned to New York as a psychologist and founded the CatholicPsych Institute, which has continued to grow and serve clients around the world. Most recently he launched the CPMAP Certification to train others in their model of integrated accompaniment.

He lives in Connecticut with his wife Barbra and their seven children.

 00:00 Start

[00:02:09] Catholic view of human being.

[00:07:42] Eternal relationship and purpose.

[00:08:14] The blueprint of the person.

[00:15:48] Transcending space and time.

[00:18:06] Inner goodness and relationships.

[00:21:39] Corrective emotional experiences in relationships.

[00:25:10] Objective truth and beauty.

[00:30:31] The path to moral action.

[00:33:25] Integrated approach to healing.

[00:38:35] Communication skills for children.

[00:41:29] Mirroring in parenting.

[00:48:02] Growth through therapeutic experiences.

[00:52:57] Purgatory as God's mercy.

[00:54:05] Mercy in life and death.

[00:58:57] Suffering and knowledge in purgatory.

[01:03:39] Trust in God's mercy.

[01:06:30] Loving God Through Neighborly Actions.

[01:10:33] Marriage and maturity challenges.

[01:15:57] Transcendent relationships in therapy.

[01:18:58] Gender craze impact on families.

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SHOW NOTES & transcript with help from SwellAI.

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

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