To be accepted “as is” is an essential ingredient of counseling. How does that play out in the actual experience of counseling?

When I see an ad for something being sold “as is”, the associations are mainly negative. But if someone takes me "as is", how freeing an experience that can be.

We need to keep constantly aware, as a Catholic clinical psychologist, as well as a husband, father, brother, and friend, that apart from Jesus we can do nothing. How do we remain fruitful disciples of Jesus?

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” These words, from the gospel passage about the raising of Lazarus, hold all the sorrow in the world. Can we trust the Lord to be with us in our deepest sorrow?

It's easy to think of God as the Celestial CEO with a limited amount of time and energy and attention to devote to an enormous number of demands. But what if He's not? What if all of His power, love, mercy, goodness, energy, and attention are for me?

Most of you reading of this blog probably consider yourself "pro-life". But the movie "The Drop Box" brings home the question: How much am I willing to sacrifice to save a life?

The key to happiness is to know that I am deeply known and deeply loved, at the same time. Are we able to let God do that for us?

Secular psychology as well as popular Christian psychology speaks often of the "father wound" coming from an absent, neglectful, or abusive father. For Christians, a relationship with God the Father can help heal that. But what about the "mother wound"?

The media pound us with the lie that life is a random series of mostly unpleasant events. Life is just "one damn thing after another". Immersing ourselves in the latest news raised our anxiety level and makes trust difficult. But what if we truly trusted that we are in a glorious story that God is telling?

Eucharistic adoration is a familiar Catholic practice. We know that Jesus is truly present in the tabernacle, body, blood, soul, and divinity. But do we appreciate the transforming power that radiates from his Eucharistic presence?

The Catholic vision of marriage has unparalleled depth, because of the Church's teaching that marriage is indissoluble. How is the sacramental union of a man and a woman a powerful way for each to become the best "me" they can be?

Earth cannot begin to satisfy our deepest longings. Only heaven will do that. Shouldn't such a universal experience be reflected in the literature that moves us most?

Same-sex attraction and gay identity are front and center in current culture. Yet the Church seems to have little to say about it except to forbid homosexual activity. How can we approach this difficult issue in a compassionate, Christian, research-informed way?

Gay activism has based itself on the premise that gay people are oppressed minorities in precisely the same way as are Latinos, African-Americans, or other minority groups. Many Christians disagree with this premise. On what basis?

Our culture has launched an all-out war on manhood. The attack includes how men are portrayed in the media and a denial of the very existence of gender. How do we recognize the nature of the battle and fight for the goodness of manhood?

A thoroughly Catholic, Christ-centered home is a powerful witness to Christ. Through such a home, we not only create an environment that nurtures our own Catholic identity. We also evangelize our children, their friends, our relatives, and our friends. What are the elements that create a truly Catholic home?

Women are often better at seeking out and maintaining friendships then are men. Do men really need friendships? And if so, how might their friendships look different from women's?

In an increasingly cynical society, especially if we've been disappointed or hurt ourselves, it may be hard to see people as heroes. Why is it so important to have heroes? How can they change our lives and help us become our best selves?

To love is never completely easy. However, some people are particularly difficult to love. They repel our best efforts and tempt us to leave them to their unhappiness. Could these people be Christ in a distressing disguise?

The desires of the human heart are immense. We need to be known completely, loved completely, and given completely to another. Yet human relationships inevitably fall short. Is it possible that we are doomed to futile desires, or is there an answer to our hearts' longings?