As a Catholic therapist I have heard many questions about and objections to therapy from family, friends, online discussions, and more. Often, these concerns are rooted in a negative experience someone has had with therapy, whether personally or through a loved one. These questions span many topics from therapy being against our deeply held beliefs as Catholics to anxieties about how realistic it is to be in therapy for an extended time.
Here are some of the more common questions and concerns I have encountered:
Why not just pray for healing?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “…prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father…” (CCC 2565). It is the main way for us to facilitate a relationship with the Lord, a necessity to our spiritual life, and is always something we can learn to do better (CCC 2564; 2744). Prayer can also be a means to healing, the Catechism reminds us, “Healing infirmities… Jesus always responds to a prayer offered in faith” (CCC 2616, Mk 1:40-41, 5:36, 7:29; Lk 23:39-43). The Catholic therapist does not wish to replace anyone’s prayer life with therapy. Yet, when our woundedness from trauma, shame, or negative relationships turn into a struggle to form positive connections with others, therapy can help find and understand the wounds we are experiencing. God calls us to healing and Christ sent out his disciples to heal illness (Mt 10:8; Mk 16:18). St. Paul reminds us in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles… then gifts of healing…” (1 Cor 12:28). Through the discipleship of a therapist who has answered the call to be a vessel of the Spirit, therapy can be a tool to experience healing from many wounds.
Therapy seems really selfish and makes people more selfish.
Therapy may seem self-involved from a distance. If you are going to therapy it is a time to focus on yourself, to learn your struggles and wounds. However, this does not have to translate into selfishness. St. Paul reminds us to, “Examine [ourselves] to see if [we] are living in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). The importance of this examination is exemplified by Christ himself throughout the Gospels (Mt 14:13; Mk 8:31; Lk 6:12; Jn 6:15). Having healthy insight into ourselves can contribute to having healthier relationships with others and even a stronger faith life (Ps 51:6; Rm 12:2). For us to make changes in our relationships we must look inward, understand ourselves, and hold ourselves accountable for our actions. Taking time in therapy can be an opportunity to approach this examination from a place of humility, bringing a willingness to examine our hurts and let go of the ways we hold on to the pain from these wounds.
Therapy is not a real science.
Psychology as a science has been developing over many decades and the field has been working towards increased precision in its ability to understand how the mind works. Research in this field has utilized the scientific method to help develop the practice of therapy and learn what is effective in supporting the healing process. Therapy modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), have been around for years. These therapy models, and more, have been studied and tested with countless people to show how they can positively impact the healing process. However, therapy as a practice remains complex due to its focus on human relationship. Individuals are unique and so are their needs and environments. Healing is not precise and it may take time to find the person and modality that is right for you. What is most necessary is trust.
Therapy is too influenced by New Age and secular culture.
Therapy can seem like it heavily aligns with new age, secular, and eastern cultures. There certainly is a focus on buzz words such as meditation, mindfulness, and language about the “power of self” (often found in IFS work). Coping skills can often include recommendations of reconnecting with the Earth or starting a new hobby like Yoga. For this reason, it is important to approach therapy with a spirit of prudence which allows us to achieve the good and avoid the evil (CCC 1806). Many therapeutic practices are good for us and not automatically due to cultural influence. For example, meditation is a form of prayer and a way to help center ourselves spiritually and mentally (CCC 2708). It is “an opportunity to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking (CCC 2705). Additionally, these coping skills and practices are not the sole focus of therapy. The focus of therapy is to heal internal wounds that are impacting our lives. There are therapists who will honor your faith and values which will make room for that necessary trust. It may take time to find the right one. This is where recommendations from trusted friends, family, priests, or Catholic sites may help you find someone you can feel comfortable with in the therapy space.
If Catholic therapists really cared about their clients, they would take insurance or make their sessions cheaper.
Concerns around money never fail to enter the conversation around therapy. Cost of sessions can cause a major barrier to care and can make finding a therapist very difficult. All therapists must take care to discern about their openness to taking insurance. Not only the question of, “should I take insurance?” becomes an important decision, but also, “which insurance do I take?” This is not always an easy decision. Therapists need to consider the financial ramifications of their choices as well as the ethical impacts of taking insurance. A therapist does not only work when seeing their clients, they also have administrative burdens as well as professional development requirements which take time that does not directly generate revenue.
Additionally, a therapist who takes insurance has more of an administrative burden due to specific billing requirements. Therapists may also have reservations regarding the ethics around taking insurance. A common concern is the level of authority the insurance company has over clinical decisions. For example, if an insurance company does not cover your diagnosis, a therapist is put in a difficult position. This causes the therapist to decide on diagnosing truthfully, causing you increased costs you were not expecting, or untruthfully, putting themself at risk of insurance fraud. If cost is a concern for you and you have found a therapist you believe you connect with, feel free to ask about payment options. Some potential options include asking about a sliding scale, requesting a superbill, or (if appropriate) decreasing sessions while finances are tight. Even if your therapist does not have the financial freedom to decrease their prices, it might be an opportunity for communication around financial concerns.
I thought it was fine, but after my loved one started therapy they are feeling worse than before.
It can be difficult to hear therapy is supposed to be helpful when you and your loved ones are not seeing results. However, it is not uncommon for people to begin to feel worse before feeling better due to the increased awareness of trauma, wounds, or shame. It is so common, in fact, that it is a point of discussion when signing the initial paperwork for therapy on what is called the “Informed Consent”. It is important to remember that healing takes time and discernment. One therapy session will not cure negative behaviors, trauma, and addiction, and sometimes people go for a long time before they start to feel and see positive changes. If you have concerns about your therapy not working, start by talking with your therapist about this. Ultimately, your therapist is the one who knows your situation and should adjust sessions accordingly if you continue to feel like you are struggling with no positive changes. If you are concerned or feel unsafe talking to your therapist about the lack of progress, that is a sign this is not a good fit. If you see a loved one continue to struggle as they go to therapy, next steps should be taken through charity and prayer. Ask them how they feel therapy is going. If they say they are uncomfortable or unsafe in the therapy space it could be time to gently encourage them to look into changing therapists.
There are other people with worse problems, why should I go to therapy for mine.
There is always going to be someone who is struggling more than you. It is important to remember that other people’s struggles do not invalidate your own. If you feel like you are struggling and in need of extra support, therapy can always be an option in addition to other healthy measures of coping. Christ does not tell us to wait for others to be healed before addressing our own need for healing. Christ tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28)
To connect with Cecelia Hollcraft, visit her directory profile at
https://find.catholictherapists.com/cecelia-hollcraft
- Catholic Responses to Therapy - September 15, 2026
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