Can Orthodox Christians go to therapy? Where should we turn when we’re struggling—to a priest, a therapist, or both? And how do we understand trauma, mental health, and spiritual warfare through an Orthodox Christian lens?
In this episode, I sit down with Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, an Orthodox priest and counselor with 25+ years of experience integrating psychology, therapy, and Orthodox theology.
We discuss trauma, somatic practices, yoga, Carl Jung, mental health diagnoses, addiction, spiritual warfare, and, ultimately, the fullness of healing offered through the life of the Church.
If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who has been wrestling with these questions.
#OrthodoxChristianity #MentalHealth #OrthodoxChurch #Therapy #SpiritualWarfare
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Resources from Fr. Timothy on the topic:
- https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/illuminedheart/orthodox_christian_psychological_therapy/
- https://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/70034/article-orthodoxy-and-the-science-of-psychology
- https://stmichaeltx.org/orthodox-101/living-orthodoxy-daily/can-orthodox-christians-go-to-therapy/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5cGEAeIvNQ
Books Fr. Timothy Recommended:
- Fr. Stephen Muse: When Hearts Become Flame
- Fr. Joshua Makoul: Healing Your Wounded Soul: Growing from Pain to Peace.
- Father Alexis Trader: Ancient Christian Wisdom and Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Therapy: A Meeting of Minds
- Fr. Vasileios Thermos: Thirst for Love and Truth: Encounters of Orthodox Theology and Psychological Science.
- Schema-nun Siluana Vlad: God, Where is the Wound?
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⏳ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00-2:39 intro
2:39-6:40 Michaela’s background
6:40-10:23 Orthodox view on therapy
10:23-15:49 Is therapy just a bridge?
15:49-21:15 What to tell a priest vs therapist?
21:15-29:48 trauma healing approaches
29:48-37:40 somatic practices for re-association
37:40-42:49 orthodox view on yoga
42:49-49:03 Who is therapy for?
49:03-51:02 Should Orthodox Christians see Orthodox therapists?
51:02-54:03 Fr Timothy’s career journey
54:03-59:29 Spiritual warfare in the mind
59:29-1:09:43 An Orthodox view on Carl Jung
1:09:43-1:15:08 Should we accept mental health diagnoses?
1:15:08-1:19:47 addictions programs
1:19:47-1:25:32 The fullness of healing in the Orthodox Church
1:25:32-1:26:38 Closing