155 You Evangelizing You – “Internal Evangelization”
Dec 2, 2024
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Dr. Peter Martin, a clinical psychologist from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center, delves into Internal Evangelization Therapy. He emphasizes loving ourselves to bring our inner parts closer to God, using insights from attachment theory. The discussion highlights the importance of compassion for one's 'lost sheep,' and the role of spiritual intercessors. Dr. Martin explores how emotional dynamics impact faith and encourages listeners to avoid spiritual bypassing. He offers practical strategies for fostering self-awareness and embracing divine love.
Internal Evangelization Therapy integrates psychological well-being with spiritual growth, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing oneself as a beloved child of God.
The therapeutic process encourages self-discovery by inviting clients to embrace their vulnerabilities, leading to holistic healing and personal transformation.
Involving spiritual intercessors in therapy creates a supportive environment, allowing individuals to confront their emotional struggles with compassion and understanding.
Deep dives
Introduction to Internal Evangelization Therapy
Internal Evangelization Therapy (IET) presents a framework for integrating psychological well-being with spiritual growth, emphasizing the importance of recognizing oneself as a beloved child of God. The concept operates within the broader mission of fostering a holistic approach to human formation, which incorporates psychological insights and spiritual truths. The therapy focuses on connecting with the innate presence of God within us, allowing for a transformative experience that supports holistic flourishing. It challenges traditional perceptions of therapy and evangelization as distinct fields, suggesting that they can mutually enhance one another.
The Role of Human Formation in Therapy
Human formation serves as the bedrock of all therapeutic approaches, suggesting that understanding one’s identity and emotional well-being is critical for effective therapy. This episode reinforces the idea that therapists must also engage in their own human formation to lead others effectively. It highlights the interconnectedness of our emotional states with our spiritual lives, leading to healthier relationships both internally and with others. The therapeutic process is thus framed as a journey of self-discovery, inviting clients to embrace their vulnerabilities as a pathway to healing and growth.
Bridging Spirituality and Psychology
The conversation explores how integrating spirituality within therapeutic practice can lead to enhanced mental health outcomes. The concept of tailoring therapy to accommodate a client's spiritual beliefs underscores the importance of respect and open communication in counseling. Using elements such as attachment security and spiritual intercessors can facilitate deeper connections to one’s own humanity and to God. This synergy empowers clients to navigate emotional challenges through a lens that includes spiritual support, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.
The Compassionate Intercessor
The discussion introduces the role of spiritual intercessors as support figures in the therapeutic process, akin to a Good Samaritan for one’s inner parts. These intercessors provide compassion, understanding, and support to individuals as they journey through their psychological challenges. The therapeutic relationship is enriched by involving spiritual figures, offering clients unique resources to confront their internal struggles. This connection often helps parts to feel safer and more supported, which may enhance their willingness to engage in therapy.
Challenges of Spiritual Bypass
Spiritual bypassing occurs when individuals use spiritual beliefs or practices to avoid confronting their emotional issues, leading to superficial resolutions rather than deep healing. The episode addresses how this bypass can be mitigated by creating a safe space for clients to acknowledge their pain and fears. By engaging with spiritual intercessors, individuals are encouraged to face their vulnerabilities rather than evade them, establishing a more meaningful dialogue between their spiritual and emotional selves. This approach reaffirms that authentic healing requires embracing the full spectrum of human experience, both the joyous and the painful.
The Importance of Community in Formation
The conversation emphasizes the significance of community support in personal growth and healing, particularly for those involved in formation or mentoring roles. Engaging with communities like the Formation for Formators offers opportunities for mutual learning and accountability among individuals committed to their own development and the development of others. Participants are invited to share insights and experiences, promoting a deeper understanding of how to support one another on their journeys. This communal dynamic nurtures an environment where individuals can seek guidance and find strength in their collective experiences.
You loving you. You bringing each of your parts closer to God, in a gentle, merciful way. Dr. Peter Martin shares his insights on how we can love ourselves toward God, informed by attachment theory and Internal Family Systems, and grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person. He presents on “Internal Evangelization Therapy” – bringing in safe havens, secure bases, the “Circle of Security,” spiritual intercessors, the discernment of spirits, and how to “bypass the spiritual bypass.” This episode focuses on how to bring home to God the “lost sheep” within us – the outcast parts, the inner lepers, the blind parts, the lame, the tax collectors, the parts condemned by other parts as sinners.
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