EMDR, Dissociation, and Catholic Integration with Jennifer Madere

In this episode, Dr. Gerry Crete speaks with Jennifer Madere about how trauma treatment, Catholic anthropology, and nervous system regulation fit together in real clinical work. They focus on EMDR, dissociation, ego state therapy, and how healing can happen without bypassing the body or the complexity of suffering. Jennifer also shares insights from her book, EMDR, Dissociation and Beyond, and discusses why safety and stabilization are not preliminaries, but essential parts of healing.

Key Topics

• They discuss why the Catholic faith can deepen trauma work by helping clinicians stay grounded in suffering while still making room for meaning, purpose, and hope.
• Jennifer describes EMDR as a way of helping the brain digest experiences it could not process when they first happened.
• Gerry and Jennifer talk about the importance of avoiding spiritual bypassing while still allowing faith to support healing in a genuine, integrated way.
• Jennifer explains why ego state therapy is useful for dissociation and complex trauma, especially when working with internal parts and movements that emerged from profound injury.
• They define dissociation as a disconnection or fragmentation in human experience that can be a protective adaptation, especially in childhood or overwhelming situations.
• The conversation distinguishes between single-incident trauma and complex relational trauma, including why events like shootings can carry an existential layer beyond the immediate event.
• They explore the importance of somatic healing, with both speakers affirming that healing often requires attention to body, mind, and spirit together.

Elijah Institute

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute. Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at elijah-institute.org.

The book EMDR, Dissociation, and Beyond, Reexamining and Expanding the Frame for Impactful Trauma Treatment by Jennifer Madere and Michael Coy can be found here:

https://www.routledge.com/EMDR-Dissociation-and-Beyond-Reexamining-and-Expanding-the-Frame-for-Impactful-Trauma-Treatment/Madere-Coy/p/book/9781032712352

This podcast provides education, not treatment. It does not replace therapy, diagnosis or professional care. If you are in crisis:

• Call 988,suicide and crisis lifeline
• For an immediate emergency call 911
• Go to the emergency room
• Contact your provider
• Text HOME to 741741

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete.

Ep, 9 with Dr. Dorothy Goulart

Integrating Faith and Mental Health in Parish Care

This episode focuses on the practical gap between a parish noticing someone is struggling and actually knowing where to send them for help. Dr. Gerry Crete talks with Dr. Dorothy Goulart about the Elijah Institute’s certification program, the role of Catholic faith in clinical work, and the new Accompanied Network being piloted to connect parishes with mental health and support resources.We discuss why trust, competence, and ethical integration matter when faith and therapy meet, and how a parish can become a real point of coordination instead of just a place where people are prayed for and left without next steps.

Key topics

• Dr. Dorothy Goulart’s background as a licensed independent clinical social worker who also teaches graduate social work students
• The Elijah Institute certification program and how it helps clinicians integrate Catholic faith and mental health practice ethically
• The Accompanied Network as a parish-based referral and care coordination model
• Why trust and vetting matter when parishes refer people to therapists, psychiatrists, and other support services
• The challenge of finding specific providers, especially Catholic clinicians with particular demographic or specialty needs
• Moral injury and moral questions in trauma work, especially in military and combat settings
• Why spiritual competence can improve care even for non-Catholic clinicians working with Catholic clients
• The importance of meeting clients where they are and letting their faith tradition inform the clinical conversation

parish care, mental health, faith integration, Catholic counseling, referral network, moral injury

spiritual assessment, clinical competence, trust, pastoral care

Elijah Institute

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute. Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at elijah-institute.org.

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete

Episode 8 with Rebecca Brubaker, founder of the Elijah Institute.

Healing After Trauma: Building Long-term Support Systems in Catholic Communities

In this episode, Dr. Gerry Crete and Elijah Institute founder Rebecca Brubaker discuss the long-term support needed after traumatic events, emphasizing the importance of spiritual and community care. Rebecca shares her firsthand experience responding to the 2025 church shooting in Minneapolis and explores how faith-based mental health initiatives can foster healing and resilience.

• The emotional journey of grief and trauma over time
• The role of the church and community in crisis response and ongoing care
• The setting up of the Elijah Institute to train clinicians in spiritually integrated psychotherapy
• Practical resources activated after the 2025 Minneapolis church shooting
• The significance of faith, moral, and spiritual dimensions in mental health treatment
• Evidence supporting the effectiveness of faith-integrated mental health care
• Developing programs for youth mental health in Catholic schools
• The importance of accessible care pathways for families in crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - Response to the Minneapolis church shooting

02:28 - The Elijah Institute’s mission to train clinicians in faith-based psychotherapy

04:03 - The importance of spiritual support in trauma recovery

05:01 - Practical support organizations involved in crisis intervention

06:20 - Building a care network grounded in Catholic faith

07:16 - Trauma and healing in families with adopted or special needs children

08:23 - The need for longer-term, continuous support systems

10:02 - The growing need for high-quality, spiritually integrated therapists

11:20 - Personal stories of trauma and faith's role in healing

12:31 - Challenges in finding Catholic mental health care

13:00 - The formation of Elijah Institute to fill this gap

14:22 - The potential for global impact beyond Catholic communities

15:10 - Developing effective training programs for clinicians

16:10 - Addressing mental health needs in the Catholic population

17:08 - Evidence that faith-based therapy enhances healing

18:20 - Integrating different dimensions of faith in therapy

19:12 - The universality of spiritual needs across faith backgrounds

20:32 - Research on flourishing and the role of religion in well-being

21:37 - Promoting wellness and active engagement in faith communities

23:32 - Moving beyond trauma healing toward living abundantly

24:16 - The importance of meaning, purpose, and community support

26:50 - The Elijah Institute's programs for clinicians and faith leaders

27:06 - Opportunities for training and credentialing in spiritually integrated psychotherapy

29:23 - The call for clinicians to serve Catholic families

36:44 - Reflection on biblical foundations of community care

37:04 - The vision for a more supported and loving church community

37:32 - Final encouragement for clinicians and families to seek integrated healing

38:21 - Closing thoughts: supporting families and seeking help when neededResources & Links:

Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at

elijah-institute.org.

Elijah Institute

In part 2 of our discussion with Dr. Thomas Plante, we continue to explore the Examen, a five-step daily prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The Examen invites us to reflect on the day with God by noticing gratitude, reviewing our thoughts and emotions, acknowledging where healing or forgiveness is needed, and choosing one small step toward greater love and purpose.

This simple 15-minute practice can help deepen spiritual connection while also supporting emotional awareness, hope, meaning, and mental health.

Featured Resources

The Elijah Institute offers a downloadable Examen card along with two research papers exploring the psychological benefits of Examen-based practices:

• “A Clinical Trial of the Examen and Mindfulness Within a Secular Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program”
  Christopher M. Buenrostro and Thomas G. Plante, Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 2024.
• “A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Psychological Benefits of a Daily Examen-Based Practice”
  Thomas G. Plante, David B. Feldman, Jacqueline Ge, and Anthony Cortese, Journal of Religion and Health, 2025.

Download the Examen card and research papers here:

https://elijah-institute.org/white-papers-and-research

Elijah Institute

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute. Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at elijah-institute.org.

examen, Jesuit spirituality, mindfulness, trauma healing, spiritual practices, mental health, research, therapy, religious integration, post traumatic growth

key topics

The examen prayer and its elements

Research findings on the examen's effectiveness

Adaptations for diverse populations

Comparison with mindfulness and secular practices

The role of imagery and visualization in healing

Christian distinctives in spiritual practices

Music and other sensory elements in spirituality

Implications for trauma and addiction treatment

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Examine and Its Impact

02:04 The Role of Gratitude in Therapy

09:03 Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth

12:01 Acceptance and Suffering in Healing

18:07 The Influence of Saints and Spiritual Models

22:47 Personal Journey and Embracing Faith

31:32 Integrating Faith and Evidence in Therapy

In Episode 7 of Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Thomas Plante introduces the Examen, a five-step daily prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola.

The Examen invites us to reflect on the day with God by noticing gratitude, reviewing our thoughts and emotions, acknowledging where healing or forgiveness is needed, and choosing one small step toward greater love and purpose.

This simple 15-minute practice can help deepen spiritual connection while also supporting emotional awareness, hope, meaning, and mental health.

Featured Resources

The Elijah Institute offers a downloadable Examen card along with two research papers exploring the psychological benefits of Examen-based practices:

• “A Clinical Trial of the Examen and Mindfulness Within a Secular Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program”
  Christopher M. Buenrostro and Thomas G. Plante, Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 2024.
• “A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Psychological Benefits of a Daily Examen-Based Practice”
  Thomas G. Plante, David B. Feldman, Jacqueline Ge, and Anthony Cortese, Journal of Religion and Health, 2025.

Download the Examen card and research papers here:

https://elijah-institute.org/white-papers-and-research

Elijah Institute

Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute. Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at elijah-institute.org.

examen, Jesuit spirituality, mindfulness, trauma healing, spiritual practices, mental health, research, therapy, religious integration, post traumatic growth

key topics

The examen prayer and its elements

Research findings on the examen's effectiveness

Adaptations for diverse populations

Comparison with mindfulness and secular practices

The role of imagery and visualization in healing

Christian distinctives in spiritual practices

Music and other sensory elements in spirituality

Implications for trauma and addiction treatment

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Post Traumatic Growth

01:36 Exploring the Examen: A 500-Year-Old Prayer

05:18 The Five Steps of the Examen Prayer

10:21 Research Findings on the Examen vs. Mindfulness

12:21 Imagining Tomorrow: Visualization in Recovery

16:18 The Power of Experiential Prayer

22:16 Christianity's Unique Approach to Suffering

25:52 Researching Sacred vs. Secular Music

30:02 Integrating Music and Spirituality in Therapy

34:24 Conclusion and Next Steps in Therapy

This episode explores the intersection of faith, recovery, and mental health through the inspiring story of Scott Weemann, founder of Catholics in Recovery. Discover how the 12 Steps and the Sacraments can work together as pathways to healing and spiritual growth.

Recovery, Faith, 12 Steps, Sacraments, Addiction, Catholic Church, Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Growth, Spirituality, Healing

Key Topics

The intersection of faith and recovery

The role of 12 Steps and Sacraments in healing

Trauma and addiction connection

The importance of community and acceptance

Practical steps for spiritual growth and reconciliation

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Addiction and Recovery

01:04 The Role of Faith in Recovery

08:22 Understanding Trauma and Addiction

19:20 The Importance of Community and Acceptance

24:30 Post-Traumatic Growth and Recovery

30:35 Integrating Mental Health and 12-Step Programs

40:56 Transformative Power of Recovery

44:50 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources

Catholics in Recovery - https://catholicinrecovery.com

The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments (Book) - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/the-twelve-steps-and-the-sacraments

Scott Weemann's Book - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/catholic-in-recovery-workbook

In this episode of Post-Traumatic Growth, Dr. Gerry Crete sits down with theologian and counseling student Dr. Donald Wallenfang and his daughter Ellen. Ellen, now a 25-year-old singer-songwriter, shares her diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at age 15, her years-long struggle with diabulimia, and the road through residential treatment to healing.

Main Topics:

• Ellen's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and the shame and identity disruption it produced
• Diabulimia: how insulin manipulation became a form of disordered eating
• The moment Ellen chose to seek treatment—and what made that possible
• How chronic illness strained the father-daughter relationship and what family therapy revealed
• Integrating faith and professional mental health care without collapsing one into the other

Chapters:

• 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
• 02:26: Ellen's Story: Diagnosis and Identity
• 08:46: Diabulimia and Insulin Manipulation
• 11:10: Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Help
• 15:40: Faith as an Undercurrent of Peace
• 17:56: Advice for Young People Struggling
• 19:27: What Treatment Actually Looked Like
• 26:05: A Father's Perspective
• 30:48: Resentment, Resistance, and Family Therapy
• 44:34: What Therapists and Parents Should Know

Resources Mentioned:

• The Elijah Institute: https://elijah-institute.org/
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/

In this episode of Post-Traumatic Growth, Dr. Gerry Crete sits down with Dr. Donald Wallenfang—Secular Carmelite, theologian, professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and father of six—to explore what the Church owes young people in a post-pandemic world. Drawing on the political theology of Johann Baptist Metz and the Carmelite contemplative tradition, Dr. Wallenfang makes the case that narrative, memory, and solidarity are the foundations of genuine accompaniment.

Main Topics:

• The post-pandemic mental health crisis among youth and why advice alone is not enough
• Dr. Wallenfang's journey from youth ministry to theology to clinical psychology
• Johann Baptist Metz's political theology and the concept of "dangerous memories"
• How narrative and storytelling connect young people's suffering to Christ's passion
• Carmelite contemplative spirituality as a foundation for pastoral and clinical presence

Chapters:

• 00:00: Welcome and Introduction
• 02:11: Adoption, Vocation, and the Path to Theology
• 05:27: Youth Ministry and Pastoral Accompaniment
• 09:19: Encountering Youth Trauma in Suburbia
• 16:26: Trauma, Empathy, and the Limits of the Minister
• 19:39: Safety Before Vulnerability
• 21:03: Johann Baptist Metz and Dangerous Memories
• 24:16: Narrative, Memory, and Dangerous Stories
• 31:07: Carmelite Contemplation and Full Presence
• 36:25: Advice for Parish Leaders and Youth Ministers

Resources Mentioned:

• The Elijah Institute: https://elijah-institute.org/
• Roots: Catholic Youth Evangelization in a Post-Pandemic World: https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Catholic-Evangelization-Post-Pandemic-Perspectives/dp/1666732184
• The Mendicant Philosopher: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMendicantPhilosopher
• Catholic Therapists: https://catholictherapists.com/

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/