What if the key to healing your heart is understanding how Christ’s was formed? In this powerful episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro explores the mystery of the Sacred Heart—not just as a symbol of divine love, but as a fully human heart formed by Mary and Joseph. Through the lens of developmental psychology and Catholic theology, he unpacks what it means for Jesus to be truly human, how we’re shaped by the gaze of our parents, and why your journey to wholeness starts with letting yourself be loved. Whether you're a parent, a seeker, or someone longing for deeper integration, this conversation offers a tender, transformative vision of what it means to be fully alive.

Key Topics:

• The psychological and spiritual significance of the Feast of the Sacred Heart
  
  

• How Jesus’s human heart was formed through the love of Mary and Joseph
  
  

• Why mirroring, idealization, and twinship are essential for healthy human development
  
  

• The power of the parental gaze in shaping a child’s sense of worth and identity
  
  

• What it means to let yourself be mothered by Mary and fathered by Joseph
  
  

Learn More:

• Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. John Croiset – The spiritual classic based on the revelations of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that helped establish the formal devotion to the Sacred Heart.

• Only Jesus by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A rich spiritual reflection on the mystery of Christ's love and formation, especially through the gaze of Mary.

• The Sanctifier by Archbishop Luis María Martínez – A powerful meditation on the Holy Spirit and His role in the spiritual and emotional formation of the human person.

• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation

• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment

What happens when a platinum-selling musician and a Catholic psychologist sit down to talk about suffering, creativity, and the soul? In this rich and unexpected conversation, Dr. Greg Bottaro welcomes Matt Maher—award-winning worship leader and featured guest for this year’s Summit of Integration—to explore the deep links between music, identity, and healing. Together, they unpack how true art gives voice to the heart, why presence matters more than performance, and how the Church can become a vital place of accompaniment for those struggling with mental health. Whether you’re an artist, a parent, or someone craving deeper meaning in the mess of life, this episode is for you.

Key Topics:

• The surprising parallels between leading worship and offering therapy
• Why music can reach the heart when words fail—and how it fosters healing
• The importance of presence over performance in both ministry and mental health
• How real art gives people back their voice, even in the midst of suffering
• What it means to live with creative constraints rooted in liturgical beauty
• Matt’s personal journey of faith, trauma, and healing in community
• The dangers of spiritual bypassing and the Church’s call to holistic care
• Why mental health struggles don’t define us—and how language matters
• The value of integration across psychology, spirituality, and artistry
• A preview of Matt’s special role at the upcoming Summit of Integration

Learn More:

• Summit of Integration (June 20–22, 2025): Join us in New Jersey—or virtually—for three powerful days of teaching, music, and community grounded in the Catholic understanding of what it means to be fully human. Learn more and reserve your ticket.
• Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries: Matt serves as an ambassador for this Christian organization offering free small-group resources on faith and mental health—including a Catholic-specific course now available on FORMED. Learn more at sanctuarymentalhealth.org
• The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
• Healing the Eight Stages of Life by M. Scott Peck
• The Wounded Healer and other works by Henri Nouwen
• The Context of Holiness by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD
• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation
• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment
  

What if your deepest wounds could become the very place where God shows up most powerfully? In this honest and hope-filled episode, Dr. Greg Bottaro sits down with CatholicPsych mentor Beth Carrell to explore her incredible journey from teenage motherhood and marital betrayal to healing, restoration, and mission. As Beth shares her personal story—including the heartbreaking loss of her son to suicide—she offers a profound witness to how God’s mercy meets us in our darkest places and draws us into deeper union with His Sacred Heart. This conversation is raw, real, and a powerful reminder that no story is beyond redemption.

Key Topics:

• Beth Carrell’s journey from teen motherhood to Catholic conversion

• The healing power of the Sacred Heart in the face of deep suffering

• Rebuilding a marriage after betrayal and civil divorce

• The unique grief and hope following the loss of a child to suicide

• Why authentic healing requires both faith and psychological formation
  

Learn More:

• Summit of Integration (June 20–22, 2025): Join us in New Jersey—or virtually—for three powerful days of teaching, music, and community grounded in the Catholic understanding of what it means to be fully human. Learn more and reserve your ticket.

• Grieving a loss to suicide? Red Bird Ministries offers Christ-centered accompaniment for bereaved families.

• Mentorship with Beth: If you’re navigating a complex family structure or step-parenting dynamic, reach out to Beth Carroll here.

• Need help? Schedule a free CatholicPsych consultation

• Want to help? Learn more about our Certification in Professional Accompaniment