Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete

Elijah Institute
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

What if trauma isn't the end of the story — but the doorway to deeper healing? Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is an Elijah Institute podcast exploring transformation after trauma through the integration of evidence-based psychotherapy and a living relationship with God. Going beyond symptom management, each episode asks a deeper question: What does it mean to heal as a whole person — mind, body, and soul? Hosted by Dr. Gerry Crete, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical counselor, trauma specialist, and author, the podcast weaves together trauma-informed psychotherapy with the ancient wisdom and practices of the Christian tradition. Each episode examines how trauma impacts attachment, identity, relationships, and our capacity for trust — especially our trust in God — and how restoring these foundations becomes the ground for genuine post-traumatic growth. Created for therapists, counselors, psychologists, chaplains, clergy, pastoral and school counselors, and other helping professionals, the podcast also welcomes anyone drawn to the intersection of trauma, faith, and meaning. Rooted in a Christian understanding of the human person — where each life holds inherent dignity, relational depth, and the capacity for healing — the content is offered with compassion and clarity that invites listeners from any background into thoughtful reflection and integration. This is a podcast for those who believe trauma does not have the final word — and that deep healing takes root in relationship: with ourselves, with others, and with God. Brought to you by the Elijah Institute. If you're a therapist, counselor, chaplain, or pastoral leader looking to deepen your practice, explore our online continuing education in whole-person, spiritually integrated care at Elijah-Institute.org.

  1. 3d ago

    Exciting News To Share

    Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete will be coming to you from Vatican City as Dr Gerry starts a new endeavor.

  2. Sep 22

    The Importance of Faith Integrated Therapy with Dr. Anthony Isacco

    In this episode, Dr. Gerry Crete speaks with Dr. Anthony Isacco about the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and the Catholic faith. They explore how faith-integrated clinical work can support human flourishing, better therapeutic outcomes, and a deeper understanding of the whole person. Key Topics Why faith integration matters in clinical psychologyThe importance of seeing each person with dignity and worthHow Catholic anthropology shapes therapy and trainingThe role of cultural humility in working with Catholic clientsWhy vocational psychology and calling matter for human flourishingHow forgiveness supports healing, repair, and growth Dr. Isacco explains how the Elijah Institute and the program at St. Mary’s University is training clinical psychologists to integrate Catholic faith with evidence-based practice. He emphasizes that this is about a holistic view of the human person. The hosts discuss how therapy changes when clinicians see clients not as diagnoses or problems to solve, but as persons with inherent worth, meaning, and capacity for healing. Dr. Isacco argues that religion and spirituality are essential parts of cultural competence and that therapists should approach them with curiosity, respect, and humility. The episode closes with a reflection on forgiveness and relationship repair as essential parts of healing. Rather than defaulting to detachment or cutoff, they discuss the value of working toward reconciliation where appropriate, including self-forgiveness and divine forgiveness. About the Guest Dr. Anthony Isacco is a licensed psychologist, professor, researcher, and expert in the integration of psychology, spirituality, and the Catholic faith. He serves as program director and head of clinical research for the Catholic Faith Integrated Master of Science in Clinical Psychology program at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. 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.   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 lifelineFor an immediate emergency call 911Go to the emergency roomContact your providerText HOME to 741741

  3. Sep 8

    Flourishing at Work, Faith, and Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Karen Doll

    In this episode, Dr. Gerry Crete speaks with licensed psychologist, executive coach, and workplace flourishing expert Dr. Karen Doll about what human flourishing really means in everyday life and at work. The conversation also explores how faith, meaning, and psychological care can coexist with pain, grief, and trauma without minimizing either one. They discuss workplace well-being, the difference between surviving and flourishing, and how post-traumatic growth can emerge without pretending suffering is good. Dr. Doll serves as Board Chair of the Elijah Institute and teaches in its Catholic Christian Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (CC-SIP) certificate program. A note for listeners: part of this conversation reflects on a recent act of violence that took place in a church, and on the grief of the families affected. Key Topics Dr. Doll's work as a psychologist focused on assessments, coaching, executive development, and workplace mental healthWhy she approaches people as whole persons rather than separating "work self" and "home self"How flourishing moved from a long-standing interest in humanistic psychology to a core theme in her workThe role of the Harvard Flourishing Program and the Flourishing at Work Network in applying research to organizationsWhy spirituality matters as one of the domains of flourishing, especially when understood broadly as connection to something beyond oneselfWhat makes a workplace regenerative rather than extractiveThe practical ingredients of flourishing at work:manageable workload and capacityrespect and dignityhealthy relationshipsbelongingmatteringWhy ROI language often dominates workplace conversations about well-beingHow post-traumatic growth differs from pretending trauma is goodWhy flourishing does not mean constant happiness or the absence of painA continuum model of well-being, from flourishing to crisis, and why people can move fluidly along itMatching the intervention to the moment — why a practice that helps on an ordinary day may not fit acute distressHow a Catholic understanding of redemptive suffering adds meaning that symptom reduction alone cannotWhy Dr. Doll wrote her book for people who may never see a therapist or hire a coachFeatured Book Building Psychological Fitness: How High Performers Achieve with Ease by Dr. Karen Doll — a practical, science-based guide to interventions that support mental health, flourishing, and resilience. https://www.amazon.com/Building-Psychological-Fitness-professionals-organizations-ebook/dp/B09GJ6MSVF Elijah Institute Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute. Learn more about the Catholic Christian Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (CC-SIP) certificate program — continuing education in spiritually integrated whole person care — at elijah-institute.org. The Elijah Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7719. 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 LifelineFor an immediate emergency call 911Go to the emergency roomContact your providerText HOME to 741741

  4. Aug 25

    EMDR, Dissociation, and Catholic Integration with Jennifer Madere

    EMDR, Dissociation, and Catholic Integration with Jennifer MadereIn 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 lifelineFor an immediate emergency call 911Go to the emergency roomContact your providerText HOME to 741741

  5. Aug 11

    Integrating Faith and Mental Health in Parish Care (with Dr. Dorothy Goulart)

    Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete.Ep, 9 with Dr. Dorothy GoulartIntegrating Faith and Mental Health in Parish CareThis 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 topicsDr. Dorothy Goulart’s background as a licensed independent clinical social worker who also teaches graduate social work studentsThe Elijah Institute certification program and how it helps clinicians integrate Catholic faith and mental health practice ethicallyThe Accompanied Network as a parish-based referral and care coordination modelWhy trust and vetting matter when parishes refer people to therapists, psychiatrists, and other support servicesThe challenge of finding specific providers, especially Catholic clinicians with particular demographic or specialty needsMoral injury and moral questions in trauma work, especially in military and combat settingsWhy spiritual competence can improve care even for non-Catholic clinicians working with Catholic clientsThe importance of meeting clients where they are and letting their faith tradition inform the clinical conversationparish 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.

  6. Jul 28

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

    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 timeThe role of the church and community in crisis response and ongoing careThe setting up of the Elijah Institute to train clinicians in spiritually integrated psychotherapyPractical resources activated after the 2025 Minneapolis church shootingThe significance of faith, moral, and spiritual dimensions in mental health treatmentEvidence supporting the effectiveness of faith-integrated mental health careDeveloping programs for youth mental health in Catholic schoolsThe 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

  7. Jul 14

    The Examen (part 2 with Dr. Thomas Plante)

    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

  8. Jun 30

    The Examen: A 5-Step Daily Prayer for Peace, Clarity, and Connection

    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

See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What if trauma isn't the end of the story — but the doorway to deeper healing? Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is an Elijah Institute podcast exploring transformation after trauma through the integration of evidence-based psychotherapy and a living relationship with God. Going beyond symptom management, each episode asks a deeper question: What does it mean to heal as a whole person — mind, body, and soul? Hosted by Dr. Gerry Crete, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical counselor, trauma specialist, and author, the podcast weaves together trauma-informed psychotherapy with the ancient wisdom and practices of the Christian tradition. Each episode examines how trauma impacts attachment, identity, relationships, and our capacity for trust — especially our trust in God — and how restoring these foundations becomes the ground for genuine post-traumatic growth. Created for therapists, counselors, psychologists, chaplains, clergy, pastoral and school counselors, and other helping professionals, the podcast also welcomes anyone drawn to the intersection of trauma, faith, and meaning. Rooted in a Christian understanding of the human person — where each life holds inherent dignity, relational depth, and the capacity for healing — the content is offered with compassion and clarity that invites listeners from any background into thoughtful reflection and integration. This is a podcast for those who believe trauma does not have the final word — and that deep healing takes root in relationship: with ourselves, with others, and with God. Brought to you by the Elijah Institute. If you're a therapist, counselor, chaplain, or pastoral leader looking to deepen your practice, explore our online continuing education in whole-person, spiritually integrated care at Elijah-Institute.org.

Information

You Might Also Like