The Catholic Therapist

What if the grind isn't the path to freedom — it's the thing keeping you from it?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Dr. Tim White — psychology professor, researcher, and self-proclaimed workaholic — to explore what it actually means to rest in a culture that has forgotten how.

Drawing on the theology of the 8th day of creation, Joseph Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture, and the latest research in psychology and blue zone longevity, Adam and Tim make the case that leisure isn't a reward you earn through hard work. It's the foundation everything else is built on — including worship.

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If you've been burning the candle at both ends and wondering why you still feel empty, this conversation is for you.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com

Have you ever wanted to journal but didn't know where to start — or tried and gave up because it felt too rigid, too vulnerable, or just not for you?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down with Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute to unpack the surprising depth of journaling as a tool for mental health and spiritual growth.

From the neuroscience of narrative storytelling to inner child check-ins, morning pages to sketchbooks, this conversation covers journaling in all its forms — with warmth, humor, and real clinical insight.

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Whether you're brand new to journaling or looking to deepen your practice, this episode offers something for everyone seeking a more honest, compassionate relationship with themselves.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com

What if the religious doubt, the obsessive confessing, the fear of receiving communion — isn't a sign of weak faith, but actually reveals how deeply you love God?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) joins Amber from the Catholic Counseling Institute for a wide-ranging conversation on scrupulosity — one of the most painful and misunderstood struggles in Catholic life.

Together they unpack the clinical reality that scrupulosity is rooted in anxiety and OCD, not poor faith — and they share what actually helps people heal, from ERP therapy and parts work, to the role of medication, spiritual direction, and a healthy God image.

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Healing is possible. This conversation is proof.

Have questions? Visit adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Have you ever stayed silent when you knew you should speak up - and then spent the rest of the day wondering why?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) explores the theology of assertiveness, unpacking why so many of us struggle to voice our needs, name our feelings, or hold our ground - and what our faith actually has to say about all of it.

Drawing on the intersection of psychology and Catholic spirituality, Adam reflects on how fear of rejection and abandonment quietly drives passivity, how self-dismissal often has deep roots in our personal histories, and why the call to "Be Not Afraid" applies directly to our relationships and our inner life. He also offers practical tools - including I-statements and the invitation to healing work - for anyone who wants to grow in honest, charitable communication.

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Your voice matters. This episode is an invitation to believe that.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

What does it actually look like when the Holy Spirit shows up in a therapy session?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) unpacks the role of the Holy Spirit in Catholic therapy - and why God's answer to your healing is always yes.

Adam shares how the Catholic Therapy Center approaches healing from a holistic foundation: body, mind, and soul. Whether it's client-led prayer, trauma processing through EMDR with Christ as a safe person, or simply trusting that the Holy Spirit is working even when he isn't named out loud - every session is rooted in the belief that God is actively working for your healing.

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God doesn't just want you to carry your cross - he wants to heal you through it. Take that step.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Can Theology of the Body actually deepen shame rather than heal it? And what does JP2's vision for the human person have to say about pornography addiction, scrupulosity, and the cycle of counterfeit love?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) sits down again with Dr. Anthony Isacco, Program Director of the MS in Clinical Psychology program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, to explore what happens when Theology of the Body meets the clinical realities of sexual shame and addiction.

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There is real freedom in knowing your body is not the enemy. This episode brings that truth home through both the wisdom of JP2 and decades of clinical experience.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Do you ever wonder if God is actually speaking to you, or if you're just making it up?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), explores how every baptized Catholic has the ability to hear God's voice through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Drawing from his experience in Encounter School Ministry and years of integrating faith with therapy, Adam challenges the belief that God is distant or silent. He shares practical wisdom on cultivating daily listening prayer, discerning God's voice from other influences, and responding to the Father's heart for your personal healing.

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Whether you're new to listening prayer or have struggled to hear God clearly, this episode offers hope-filled encouragement that your Heavenly Father wants to speak to you right now.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

What should you really expect when you walk into a therapist's office for the first time?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623) explores the heart of what therapy offers with fellow clinician Katelyn Smedley, LMFT (#99805) Katelyn shares her approach to working with women and families, emphasizing that the most important thing clients should leave with after their first session is hope.

Katelyn Smedley, LMFT Email: [email protected] Phone: (805) 914-8253 Currently accepting new clients Fully virtual therapy sessions Specializes in women and families.

Catholic Therapy Center Website: catholictherapycenter.com

This conversation goes deeper than typical therapy discussions. Katelyn explains how Catholic therapy invites people to discover their true identity as beloved children of God, moving beyond merely surviving trauma to experiencing true resurrection and freedom. From practical tools like the "size of problem" scale to the profound difference between Catholic and secular mindfulness, this episode offers both encouragement and concrete guidance for anyone considering therapy.

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If you're wondering whether therapy is right for you or what makes Catholic counseling different, this conversation will give you clarity and hope.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623

Can you be grateful while grieving? Should you even try? In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Adam Cross tackles one of the most challenging tensions in Catholic spiritual life: how to honor our grief while maintaining gratitude for God's goodness.

Drawing on Scripture, theological insights from Father Raniero Cantalamessa and Dr. Shan Tobin, and his clinical experience, Adam explores:

This isn't about dismissing pain or forcing positivity. It's about recognizing that grief and gratitude aren't mutually exclusive but can exist together as we wait for God's resurrection in our lives.

Key Quote: "The opposite of sin is not virtue, but praise. The opposite of sin is remembering that God is goodness."

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Whether you're navigating your own season of grief or walking alongside someone who is, this episode offers theological depth and practical wisdom for honoring both the weight of suffering and the hope of the Gospel.

About Adam Cross: Adam Cross is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in Southern California, specializing in Catholic therapy and integrating faith with mental health treatment.

Connect with Adam: Website: www.adamcrosslmft.com Instagram: @adamcrosslmft

What's it really like to sit across from a Catholic therapist who specializes in shame, addiction, and anxiety?

In this episode, Catholic therapist Adam Cross, LMFT (#116623), sits down with Luis Lopez, AMFT (#147456) one of the clinicians at the Catholic Therapy Center, to explore what happens inside the therapy room when faith meets clinical practice.

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If you've ever wondered whether therapy could help you grow not just mentally but spiritually, this conversation will give you hope that healing is possible, and holiness is within reach.

Have questions? Visit my website: adamcrossmft.com Adam Cross, LMFT #116623