Interior Integration for Catholics

We explore the surprising compatibility of Internal Family Systems with a Thomistic understanding of the human person. The modern pioneer of parts work, Richard Schwartz, originator of IFS harmonizes with the medieval angelic doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas. Join Thomistic philosopher Dr. Anthony Flood, Catholic psychologist Dr. Eric Gudan and me, Dr. Peter, as we discuss how the goodness of IFS can be modified and grounded in the excellence of a Thomistic anthropology.   For the full video experience with all our visuals, gestures, and graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics

How do we love with the three loves in the two Great Commandments?  And what are the relationships among love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self?  Join Catholic philosopher Anthony Flood and Catholic psychologist Eric Gudan as we explore love in Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas.  We address flourishing, friendship, virtues, interior integration, inner unity, union with others, trauma, healing, selfishness, humility, magnanimity, where to find truth, and so much more, all through a Thomistic lens.  Join us!   For the full video experience with all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics

We have answers to your questions about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Catholicism.  From the experts.  That’s what this episode is all about.  Dr. Peter Martin, Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu and Dr. Peter Malinoski come together with a live audience to discuss your questions about parts’ felt sense of safety, their God images, and your innermost self as a secure internal attachment figure for your parts and a bridge between your parts and God, your will and your parts.  We discuss whether you can love others if you don’t love yourself.  And so much more.  Come and see!

Both Socrates and Plato were deeply concerned with the questions 1) Who is the human person? and 2) How does one flourish in living the best life possible.  And both addressed these questions through understanding a person’s relationship with self.  Knowing oneself, loving oneself, and governing oneself wisely are the core of their teaching on virtues and ethics.  All three of those imply a relationship oneself.  We explore the “parts of the soul” that Socrates and Plato proposed, and how these parts interact in the inner life.  Join Catholic Thomistic philosopher Dr. Anthony Flood, Catholic psychologist Dr. Eric Gudan and me, Dr. Peter, as we explore Plato’s five forms of self-governance, and which parts of the soul are in charge in each of them, connecting each one to an IFS understanding of inner dynamics.   For the full video experience with all of Dr. Flood's expressive gestures, all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics

Q: What can St. Bonaventure teach us about our inner life? A: More than you might imagine. Writing in the 13th century, St. Bonaventure emphasized the importance of the heart, of our emotions and our desires. He prized love and relationality – starting with the relationships among the three Persons of the Trinity, that God is both a unity and a multiplicity. He also emphasized the faculty of memory in addition to the intellect and the will as part of his tripartite model of soul, which opens the door to the modern concept of the unconscious, with parts existing outside of our awareness. Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski as we “nerd out” on St. Bonaventure, connecting him back to St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximus, and other Catholic experts on metaphysics in a way that’s accessible, conversational, inspirational, and fun.   For the full video experience with all of Dr. Gerry's expressive gestures, all our visuals, graphics, and for conversation and sharing in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics

Q: Did St. Maximus anticipate Internal Family Systems thinking by 13 centuries?  A: In a word, Yes.  Maximus, writing in the seventh century, described in detail the unity and distinctions within the human person, and how each of us is a mediator that connects the spiritual and natural realms, and microcosm that contains within us the entire cosmos.  Mind-blowing ideas.  He also believes that each of us is a macrocosm, being able to influence the whole world in ways that matter.  Maximus was a sophisticated systems thinker.  He believed we already have certain virtues within us that can and should be released to flower.  And love was at the very center of his message.  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski as they explore Catholic parts work and St. Maximus to your imagination break free. 

You can think of St. Augustine’s heart as an “open book” titled “Confessions.” In this episode, we go deep into his restless heart, sharing with you how well his clear, detailed, and nuanced descriptions of his inner experience reflect Internal Family Systems and parts work so well. As St. Augustine describes his “divided heart” and “conflicting wills” and the stages of his conversion, Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Chrisian Amalu, and Dr. Peter Malinoski show how this translates into IFS terms. And Dr. Christian provides an Augustinian experiential exercise. Join us to see how St. Augustine wisdom connects with and informs Catholic parts work.  If you are a Catholic who wants to jumpstart getting to know and love your own parts, check out the Resilient Catholics Community at https://members.soulsandhearts.com/rcc

What can the Early Church Fathers teach us about our inner worlds, the complexity of our psyches?  Actually, very much, if we are willing to listen.  Join Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Christian Amalu and me for a highlight tour of what these Early Church Fathers offer us in understanding and loving ourselves, God, and others:  St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. John of Damascus.  We particularly focused in on St. Evagrius discussing the “Christ-self” and the “legion of other selves” within each person. We explore how the Early Church Fathers bring in allegory, metaphor, symbol, and typology to capture more readily the richness, variety, complexity, and beauty of the inner life than we moderns generally do.  Dr. Gerry closes with a brief prayer reflection.   For the full video experience with visuals, graphics, and for discussion in the comments section, check us out on our YouTube channel here:  www.youtube.com/@InteriorIntegration4Catholics

Peter Martin, a Nebraska psychologist and IFS therapist, Gerry Crete, a licensed marriage therapist and founder of Transfiguration Counseling, and Christian Amalu, a postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology, engage in a deep conversation about harmonizing Internal Family Systems with Catholic teachings. They discuss how Scripture supports IFS concepts and the potential for inner harmony. They highlight the importance of self-love through Jesus’ parables and emphasize embracing complexity and marginalized voices in faith communities.

Join David Edwards, an IFS therapist and founder of St. Joseph Counseling, Bridget Adams, a trained IFS coach, and Marion Moreland, a level three certified IFS therapist, as they tackle the integration of Internal Family Systems therapy with Catholicism. They discuss the critical role of self-awareness in healing, the impact of legacy burdens, and the significance of compassion in personal growth. Tune in for insights on navigating emotional turmoil, enhancing prayer life, and embracing one's internal parts to foster genuine connections.