Interior Integration for Catholics

Fr. Boniface Hicks answers live Q&A on spiritual and pastoral formation, addressing struggles with formators, integrating parts in spiritual direction, and navigating suffering and spiritual growth. Insights on the prophetic timing of human formation and the risks of spiritual bypassing. Emphasizes holistic personal formation, inner integration through prayer, and authentic self-expression.

Explore the art of spiritual direction and personal formation with Fr. Boniface Hicks, a Benedictine monk. Discover the formation needs of spiritual directors, common challenges they face, and how to recognize deficiencies in spiritual direction. Delve into the interconnectedness of human and spiritual dimensions, the importance of relationships, and the nuances of transference in therapy.

What do the roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and apples of a tree have to do with your Catholic formation?  Find out how these, combined with sunlight, water, and soil, bring us an integrated understanding of personal formation grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person, drawing from Church documents and the sciences of the natural world.  By looking at an apple tree, we can understand our own formation and where we need to change and grow much better – and not just as solitary trees, but together, in community, in a forest.  Join me, Dr. Peter Malinoski, as we learn how to flourish in love and for love, as Catholics journeying together.  

Exploring the integration of personal formation through a mathematical lens, drawing connections between human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral aspects. Highlighting the importance of applying integrated formation models, emphasizing active personal formation and nurturing qualities like freedom and empathy. Discussing the interconnectedness of mathematics with human, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions, and the significance of integrating intellectual formation with spiritual and human formation for effective communication of the gospel.

Philosopher Matthew Walz, Ph.D. discusses integrating four pillars of formation, paralleling Aristotle's four causes and 'four loves'. They relate the types of formation to dimensions of Christ, emphasizing 'dimensional trespassing' in the process.

Dr. Gerry discusses his new book 'Litanies of the Heart', answering audience questions on topics like trauma, attachment, sinful behaviors, and the relationship between self, intellect, and will. The podcast explores the integration of Internal Family Systems and Catholicism, childhood innocence, healing through reflection and spiritual guidance, early insecurities, internal parts dynamics, and upcoming conference updates.

Exploring the role of God in human formation work and the seven reasons for focusing on the natural realm. Understanding the integration of different parts and deep beliefs. The significance of human formation as the basis for spiritual development. The challenges of introducing Jesus into therapy and the importance of individualized approaches. Announcements and opportunities for listeners to join discussions and upcoming events. The Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference and the benefits of human formation through an IFS lens.

Dr. Gerry Crete, author of Litanies of the Heart, discusses how he integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Catholicism, providing healing for post-traumatic stress and anxiety. He shares stories and vignettes that connect with everyone, not just therapists. The book explores the concept of parts work and how it is compatible with our Catholic faith. They also discuss the challenges of finding a publishing house and the significance of a drawing depicting the human person in understanding metaphysics.

In this episode, my guest, licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Gerry Crete and I discuss how best to engage with borderline dynamics within your family. People with “borderline personalities” have surprisingly intense internal experiences that are rarely handled well by the people around them. Dr. Gerry suggests avoiding both expressing too much frustration and invalidation.  Instead, he recommends trying to view situations from their perspective and looking for the kernel of truth in their reactions. Acceptance of borderline emotions and perspectives can create the opening a person needs to engage more collaboratively.   Learn how to avoid one little dangerous word and use another, much better little word in conversation with those with borderline traits.  Dr. Gerry also responds to these questions (among others) from our live audience: 1) How do you deal with blazing rage and other extreme emotions? 2) How do you navigate narcissism and borderline within a marriage and the battle between the integrity needs of both? 3) How do you learn to love people with borderline tendencies? 4) Where is the balance between sacrificial love and self-care? 5) Will people with borderline ever be capable of developing an awareness of other people’s feelings and perspectives? 6) What is the healing and forgiveness process between a mother with borderline and her daughter? 7) How do you deal with the guilt, shame, and anxiety caused by borderline? 8) How do you stop the cycle of borderline tendencies from being passed from parent to child?

In this episode we explore in detail how Internal Family Systems can help with borderline dynamics.  We review the definitions of the innermost self and parts, the six attachment and six integrity needs, and we discuss the three major reasons why clients with BPD have been bruised and wounded by mental health professionals.  I review the seven tenets of Therapist-Focused Consultation (TFC) and then we walk with Tina from episode 127 as she begins IFS informed therapy, and how that therapy invites and includes all her parts, without the need for grounding exercises that suppress her exiles and firefighters.  This episode may be particularly helpful to Catholic therapists and counselors to not be afraid of or destabilized by those clients with borderline dynamics.