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The Catholic Couch
Catholic Counseling Institute
20 episodes
4 days ago
Send us a text Understanding and Integrating Holy Anger in Our Lives This episode explores the concept of holy anger, using Jesus' cleansing of the temple as a case study. Starting with a prayer, it delves into the emotions behind anger, contrasting righteous anger with sinful rage, and discusses how Jesus' actions in the temple demonstrate controlled and purposeful anger. The script covers theological perspectives, references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, psychological insights, ...
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Mental Health
Health & Fitness
RSS
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Send us a text Understanding and Integrating Holy Anger in Our Lives This episode explores the concept of holy anger, using Jesus' cleansing of the temple as a case study. Starting with a prayer, it delves into the emotions behind anger, contrasting righteous anger with sinful rage, and discusses how Jesus' actions in the temple demonstrate controlled and purposeful anger. The script covers theological perspectives, references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, psychological insights, ...
Show more...
Mental Health
Health & Fitness
Episodes (20/20)
The Catholic Couch
"Righteous Anger: Embracing Emotions with Faith"
Send us a text Understanding and Integrating Holy Anger in Our Lives This episode explores the concept of holy anger, using Jesus' cleansing of the temple as a case study. Starting with a prayer, it delves into the emotions behind anger, contrasting righteous anger with sinful rage, and discusses how Jesus' actions in the temple demonstrate controlled and purposeful anger. The script covers theological perspectives, references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, psychological insights, ...
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4 days ago
42 minutes

The Catholic Couch
How Catholic Couples Repair
Send us a text The R.E.P.A.I.R Method: Strengthening Catholic Marriages This video explains how a simple gesture like lighting a candle can help save and strengthen a marriage, especially within the Catholic faith. The speaker introduces the R.E.P.A.I.R. method, a six-step faith-filled framework designed to help couples reflect, take responsibility, pray, validate feelings, reconnect, and reconcile effectively after conflicts. Through detailed examples of fictional couples, the speaker demon...
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1 month ago
21 minutes

The Catholic Couch
"I Forgive" How Did Erika Kirk Do It? The Psychology & Theology Of Forgiveness
Send us a text The Power and Process of Forgiveness: Merging Psychology and Faith In this episode, viewers are taken on a deep dive into the concept of forgiveness through the lens of both psychology and theology. The script recounts powerful stories of individuals, from Erica Kirk to Pope John Paul II, who have demonstrated profound forgiveness in the face of unspeakable wrongs. It emphasizes that forgiveness is not about excusing the offense or canceling justice, but rather a moral decisio...
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1 month ago
26 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Should You Date Someone You Aren't Attracted To?
Send us a text Physical Attraction and Catholic Dating: Navigating Sparks and Substance In this episode of 'The Catholic Couch,' Amber Pilkington tackles the complex topic of physical attraction in Catholic dating. She explores whether initial sparks are necessary for a successful, holy marriage and discusses the possibility of attraction growing over time. Amber delves into what the Church and psychology say about physical attraction and how it relates to a lasting, faithful relationship. U...
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1 month ago
31 minutes

The Catholic Couch
"The Hidden Trap of Spiritual Bypassing: What Every Catholic Needs to Know"
Send us a text Join Amber Pilkington on the Catholic Couch as she addresses the common issue of spiritual bypassing among faithful Catholics. Despite regular prayer and devotion, many still feel anxious, stuck, or unhealed. Amber explains how spiritual bypassing—using faith practices to avoid dealing with painful emotions—impacts emotional well-being. Drawing on research and personal insights, she offers gentle guidance on acknowledging these emotions and integrating them into one's spiritual...
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3 months ago
21 minutes

The Catholic Couch
"Transform Stress into Strength: Faith-Based Advice for Moms"
Send us a text Monday Morning Moments for Catholic Moms: Finding Peace and Prayer Amidst Chaos In this uplifting episode, the host kicks off with a warm welcome to all Catholic moms, spiritual mothers, and grandmothers, reflecting on a recent Catholic Women's Conference. She offers insight into the life of St. Martha of Bethany, tying it to a reflection on community, prayer, and the importance of belonging. The episode features an in-depth exegesis of the Gospel, focusing on themes of prayer...
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3 months ago
46 minutes

The Catholic Couch
"Top 10 Lies that Destroy Mental Health: Unmasking Spiritual Sabotage"
Send us a text Top 10 Lies from the Devil Affecting Your Mental Health In this episode of the Catholic Couch podcast, Amber Pilkington, a Catholic therapist, addresses the silent suffering of Catholics dealing with anxiety. She debunks the top 10 subtle lies from the devil that erode mental health and spiritual peace, particularly among those struggling with scrupulosity, perfectionism, and intrusive thoughts. Amber emphasizes how these lies distort spiritual truths, impeding peace and joy, a...
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3 months ago
32 minutes

The Catholic Couch
"Master Your Mind: Catholic Mom's Guide to Thought Diffusion and Peace" MMMFCM Aug 5, 2025
Send us a text Finding Peace Amidst Chaos: Thought Diffusion for Catholic Moms Join us on this Monday morning as we explore spiritual and psychological insights tailored for Catholic moms. We open with a reflection on grace, followed by a trivia segment about Saint Mary MacKillop, the first Australian saint. The central theme focuses on the gospel’s message about letting go of control and finding true peace through divine providence. Learn about the concept of thought diffusion—a CBT skill th...
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3 months ago
52 minutes

The Catholic Couch
When Horrible Thoughts Pop Into Your Head At Church: A Catholic Guide to Scrupulosity OCD
Send us a text 🎓 Take the next step with the course: https://catholiccounselinginstitute.thrivecart.com/freedom-for-catholics/ Have you ever had a blasphemous thought pop into your head during Mass or prayer—and felt instant panic? You’re not alone. In this compassionate and truth-filled episode, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington unpacks the science and theology behind intrusive thoughts and scrupulosity. You’ll learn how to recognize intrusive thoughts for what they are—not sins—and disco...
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4 months ago
7 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Healing After Pornography Betrayal: A Catholic Therapist’s Guide to Trauma, Prayer, and Recovery
Send us a text What happens when the person you trusted most becomes the source of your deepest pain? In this sacred and raw episode, Amber walks Catholic women through the earliest days of betrayal—especially after discovering a husband’s pornography use—with tenderness, clarity, and deep spiritual wisdom. Drawing on psychology, trauma theory, and Catholic theology, this episode is not about fixing your marriage overnight. It's about tending to your heart, your body, your faith—and reclaimin...
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4 months ago
21 minutes

The Catholic Couch
If You’re the Only One Trying in Your Marriage, Listen to This
Send us a text What do you do when you’re the one reading the books, going to therapy, initiating the hard conversations—and your spouse seems checked out, defensive, or emotionally unavailable? In this deeply honest episode of The Catholic Couch, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington speaks directly to the woman carrying the emotional, spiritual, and relational weight of her marriage alone. You’ll learn how attachment styles, trauma responses, and unmet needs shape relationship dynamics—and wh...
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4 months ago
16 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Healing Catholic Marriage After Pornography Betrayal
Send us a text If pornography has impacted your marriage, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington explains the real differences between coaching and counseling when it comes to healing after pornography-related betrayal. You’ll learn: What the research says about therapy for problematic porn useWhy coaching may help—but not in the early stagesHow to find a faithful, marriage-friendly therapist trained in betrayal traumaWhat questions t...
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4 months ago
9 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Boundaries in Catholic Marriage - Episode 3: Why Do We Keep Missing Each Other?
Send us a text In this episode, we cover: How personality and upbringing shape emotional communicationWhy “mental load” causes resentment in marriagesDr. John Gottman’s research on “negative sentiment override”Emotional filters and the nervous system’s role in conflictReal-life boundary examples that invite connection, not conflictThe difference between disharmony and disconnectionGentle strategies to reconnect with your spouse without blameJohn 8:32 and the role of truth in healing marriageF...
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4 months ago
13 minutes

The Catholic Couch
What Submission Is (And Is Definitely Not)
Send us a text In this episode, we untangle one of the most misused and misunderstood words in Catholic marriage: submission. What Ephesians 5 really says (and why it’s often quoted out of context)What mutual submission means from a Catholic theological and psychological lensThe difference between virtue and erasureHow wounds, wiring, and personality shape how we hear the word “submission”A breakdown of Pope St. John Paul II’s insights on love, reciprocity, and dignityWhy boundaries are not a...
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4 months ago
8 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Kind Is Not a Virtue—St. Catherine and the Art of Holy Assertiveness
Send us a text Episode Title: Kind Is Not a Virtue—St. Catherine and the Art of Holy Assertiveness Host: Amber Pilkington, LPC-S | Catholic therapist, wife, and founder of The Catholic Counseling Institute Episode Summary: In this episode, we explore the bold and holy assertiveness of St. Catherine of Siena and why kindness—though lovely—is not one of the theological virtues. Many Catholic women confuse passivity with virtue and struggle with guilt when they say "no" or ask for what they need...
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4 months ago
10 minutes

The Catholic Couch
The Hidden Crisis Catholic Moms Are Facing
Send us a text In this vulnerable and validating episode, Catholic therapist, wife, and mom Amber Pilkington dives into one of the most hidden but widespread struggles in motherhood: loneliness. Especially for stay-at-home Catholic moms, the pressure to “cherish every moment” can collide painfully with the reality of feeling isolated, unseen, and emotionally spent. Amber blends psychological research and Catholic theology to show how loneliness affects the mind, body, and soul—and what you ca...
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5 months ago
9 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Did St. Ignatius Invent Therapy?
Send us a text Saint Ignatius of Loyola didn’t just change the Church—he may have accidentally invented a foundational practice in modern therapy. In this episode, Amber Pilkington breaks down how his method of discernment, emotional tracking, and truth-based reframing reflects key principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This episode covers: The story of Ignatius’s conversion and cannonball momentHow the Examen reflects modern “thought logs”What CBT teaches about metacognition, refr...
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5 months ago
7 minutes

The Catholic Couch
The Catholic Church Has A Mental Health Problem: Pope Leo XIV Responds
Send us a text DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRAYER CARD HERE: https://catholic-counseling-institute-2.kit.com/f5ff865d5a In this powerful episode of The Catholic Couch, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington responds to Pope Leo XIV’s June prayer intention—calling the global Church to compassion for those suffering with mental and emotional illness. For too long, mental health has been taboo in Catholic circles. But now, the silence is breaking. Pope Leo’s bold prayer offers more than awareness—...
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5 months ago
17 minutes

The Catholic Couch
Am I Allowed to Need Space?
Send us a text What if the burnout you’re feeling isn’t a sign of failure—but an invitation to rethink what love actually looks like? In this powerful opening episode, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington unpacks one of the most requested topics she hears from Catholic women: boundaries in marriage. With warmth, humor, and deep compassion, Amber introduces us to three fictional couples who mirror real-life dynamics—Emily and Josh, Teresa and Mike, and Carmen and Leo—and invites us to explore w...
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5 months ago
15 minutes

The Catholic Couch
The Catholic Couch Trailer
Send us a text Welcome to The Catholic Couch—the official podcast of the Catholic Counseling Institute. Hosted by Catholic therapist, wife, and mom Amber Pilkington, this podcast brings together the wisdom of the Catholic Church and the clarity of modern psychology to offer real tools for real life—on the ground, in real time. Whether you're navigating intrusive thoughts and scrupulosity, Catholic parenting, marriage, boundaries, burnout, or just trying to keep your peace at 7:14 p.m. when th...
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5 months ago
1 minute

The Catholic Couch
Send us a text Understanding and Integrating Holy Anger in Our Lives This episode explores the concept of holy anger, using Jesus' cleansing of the temple as a case study. Starting with a prayer, it delves into the emotions behind anger, contrasting righteous anger with sinful rage, and discusses how Jesus' actions in the temple demonstrate controlled and purposeful anger. The script covers theological perspectives, references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, psychological insights, ...