In a society where both mental health issues and financial strain have been on the rise, it’s easy for Catholics to find themselves in need of affordable therapeutic help for a variety of struggles. 

Whether you’re increasingly anxious, recovering from trauma, or simply seeking further self-knowledge and healing, these online resources can be a great place to start. Some involve clinical therapists, others support addiction recovery, and some even have certifications or classes for further learning. 

Whatever your need or interest, this small list can send you in the right direction.

CatholicPsych Institute

Founded by Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro, the CatholicPsych Institute has a robust lineup of resources with varying levels of accessibility and commitment. Their blog and podcast offer immediate content on topics like trauma, healing, and integrating the spiritual and psychological aspects of the human person. The Institute also offers several courses, specifically on Catholic mindfulness, and also has certification and mentorship programs for those interested in diving more deeply into the work of human integration.

Souls and Hearts

For those interested in therapeutic resources informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS), Souls and Hearts is at the center of the work to use IFS in tandem with Catholic morality and anthropology. Dr. Gerry Crete, author of Litanies of the Heart through Sophia Institute Press (an excellent book on the Catholic use of IFS for healing trauma and anxiety), is one of the founders, in addition to other Catholic psychologists who are experts in IFS and schema therapy. 

These schools of psychological thought and methodology are particularly helpful to those seeking therapy for PTSD or healing from trauma. Souls and Hearts has a database of Catholic therapists trained in IFS therapy, as well as an online community called “Resilient Catholics” for those more interested in integrating IFS more deeply into their lives. 

Catholic in Recovery

Specifically for those seeking support in addiction recovery, Catholic in Recovery offers virtual and in-person 12-step groups informed by the Catholic faith. While not a professional therapeutic setting, 12-step groups are very effective for starting and maintaining long-term sobriety and advancing one’s recovery from several types of addictions. Catholic in Recovery specifically has groups for substance addictions, sexual addictions, and disordered eating, among other meetings for prayer and book studies. 

BetterHelp

While offering a wide range of therapeutic approaches, BetterHelp is an excellent option for affordable, easily accessible therapy. Clients can easily be paired with a Christian counselor who understands their moral lens, and the cost is typically low both with or without insurance coverage. BetterHelp has quickly become an incredibly popular option since its founding about a decade ago, and it certainly is accomplishing its mission to make mental health care more widely available. 

Remember that with any resource addressing psychological health, you have the freedom to find what works for you. It’s important to find a resource or therapist who respects your faith and moral beliefs, whether or not they share all of them. It may take time to find the right fit for your personal needs and journey, but when you do, it is well worth the wait.