Hope Stories with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

In this episode of the Hope Stories podcast, Sister Josephine Garrett welcomes her lifelong friend Maribel Laguna, a licensed professional counselor supervisor and founder of Cor Sacrum Counseling and Consulting. They discuss the unique experiences of first-generation Mexican American women and the mental health challenges they face navigating multiple cultural worlds. Maribel shares her personal journey towards integration and healing through therapy and EMDR, as well as her appreciation for her Latin American heritage and faith. The episode also touches on her role in counseling seminarians and clergy, emphasizing the importance of authentic human relationships. Maribel's story is one of self-acceptance, faith, and the journey towards finding home within one's cultural identity.
"Those who remain silent are responsible" Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
Links:

• Maribel's Practice: Cor Sacrum Counseling & Consulting
• Catholic Psychotherapy Association

Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.
Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.
Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:
https://nazarethcsfn.org/
https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/

In this episode of Hope Stories with Sister Josephine Garrett, Amanda Smith, a Catholic therapist and executive director at NAMI, shares her insights on borderline personality disorder (BPD) and the transformative potential of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They discuss the profound emotional pain and fear of abandonment experienced by individuals with BPD, the societal and self-stigmatization of the disorder, and the importance of early intervention and treatment. Amanda emphasizes the intersection of faith and therapy, highlighting how internalizing God's unconditional love can aid in the healing process. The episode also explores Amanda's experiences with burnout and the emotional toll of working with underserved populations, calling for increased compassion and understanding towards those with personality disorders.
Blessed Eustochium Bellini, Pray for us.
Links:

• Amanda's Website Hope for BPD
• Amanda's Amazon Author Page
• Information on BPD
• Helpful therapy approach for personality disorders
• Learn all about Blessed Eustochium Bellin

Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.
Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.
Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:
https://nazarethcsfn.org/
https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/

In this episode of the Hope Stories podcast, Sister Josephine discusses the vital topic of attachment with Rebecca Schall, LPC, a licensed professional counselor from East Texas. Rebecca delves into the intricacies of attachment wounds—emotional injuries from unmet relational needs—and their impact on mental health and faith. She shares her personal journey of overcoming attachment wounds through God's relentless love and professional counseling. The discussion highlights the integration of clinical practices like EMDR with Christian anthropology to foster healing. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of understanding our attachment styles, seeking healthy relationships, encountering Christ in our wounds, and striving for holiness in community.
Links:

• More about Rebecca Schall
• How We Love Quiz
• How We Love Book
• What is attachment theory?
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America
• Patron Saint for this Episode: Bl. Francisa de Paula de Jesus Isabel

Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.
Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.
Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:
https://nazarethcsfn.org/
https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/

This episode discusses mature topics surrounding mental health and includes a mention of suicidal ideation. If you are in crisis, please call, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text or chat with the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Sister Josephine welcomes her first guest of Season 2, Christian Bentley, to discuss his experience living with bipolar disorder. Christian shares his journey through the highs and lows of the illness, his struggles with suicidal thoughts, and the stigma surrounding mental health. He emphasizes the importance of self acceptance, faith, and the sacrament of confession in managing his condition. With personal anecdotes and profound wisdom, Christian offers hope and encouragement to others living with mental health challenges.
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. To learn more, click here.
Links:

• Christian Bentley's Instagram
• Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
• Gaudium et spes, "On the Church in the Modern World" encyclical
• Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness
• From “Mean Girl” to Saint, the story of Hyacintha
• Saints who confronted suicidal thoughts
• National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, USCCB Introductory Statements
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text "HELLO" to 741741 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
• Crisis Text Line (USA): Text "HELLO" to 741741 https://www.crisistextline.org/

This episode is sponsored by Catholic Charities USA. Help Catholic Charities serve your neighbors in need by joining us at www.WeAreThere.US.

Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.
Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.
Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:
https://nazarethcsfn.org/
https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/

There are terms some Catholic Christians use that can sound mysterious and unapproachable to those less acquainted with Catholic theology and practice. We want everyone to come along for the ride, so Sr. Josephine takes a few minutes to explain a few things!
SHOW NOTES

• "Adoration": Learn more about the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist as well as the practice of Eucharistic Adoration. Or find an Adoration Chapel near you -- this is not an exhaustive list of Adoration opportunities and locations across the U.S., but it is a start!
• Other resources:
  • The scriptural foundations for the seven Catholic sacraments
  • Christology 101: Why the Incarnation Matters
  • What We Have Seen and Heard: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization from the Black Bishops of the United States (September 9, 1984)
  • Sr. Thea Bowman's June 1989 Address to U.S. Catholic Bishops

Journey to a new depth of hope, even in seemingly impossible circumstances, with Sr. Josephine in her new book HOPE: An Invitation. Available at osvcatholicbookstore.com.
Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.
Learn more about Sr. Josephine at:
https://nazarethcsfn.org/
https://www.instagram.com/sr_josephine/