COUNSELING | PARENTING RESOURCES | PROGRAMS FOR COUPLES IN CRISIS | DIVORCE AND SINGLES MINISTRY | BEREAVEMENT | PORNOGRAPHY | SAME SEX ATTRACTION 

COUNSELING

For recommendations of counselors across Northwest Florida who can deal specifically with marital and familial issues please contact the Office of Marriage and Family Life directly at 850-435-3553. The options listed below are remote options from reputable Catholic organizations and individuals.

IN Person OPTIONS In Our Diocese

• Ryan Rogers (LMHC) lives in Panama City and offers his Veritas Counseling practice for a variety of mental health issues. Ryan's therapeutic approach varies depending on the presenting issues and unique client goals, but he tends to work primarily from one of the following evidence-based treatment modalities: Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Website: https://www.saintdominiccounseling.com/#home

• Robert (LMHC) and Kelly Mayor (LCSW) live in Crestview. Together they operate a counseling practice called Mayor Mental Health. They specialize in treating anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, depression, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-partum disorders. They can also provide faith-based counseling, if requested. You can find out more at https://mayormentalhealth.com/ or by calling (850) 604-8218.

Remote Options

• IPS Center for Psychological Services is an outpatient mental health facility providing clinical services to adults, adolescents, children, families and couples. Services are provided by advanced doctoral students, closely supervised by licensed clinical psychologists. At the heart of the counseling they provide is a deep respect for the dignity of each person and a commitment to providing appropriate sound psychological services within the context of each individual’s unique background. The IPS Center is part of the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. program operated by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) of Divine Mercy University. Website: https://ipscenter.org/

• Catholic Counselors.com is an initiative of the Pastoral Solutions Institute founded by renowned Catholic therapist Dr. Gregory Popcak. Since its founding in 1999, The Pastoral Solutions Institute has become nationally-recognized for its leadership in integrating cutting-edge counseling psychology with solid Catholic theological principles. The Pastoral Solutions Institute offers a wide variety of resources and professional services intended to help committed Catholics overcome problems like marital conflict, childrearing problems, depression, anxiety, stress, and the difficulties associated with major life transitions. Website: https://www.catholiccounselors.com/services/

• Amanda Perez (LMFT) in the Diocese of St. Petersburg offers individual, couples, and family telehealth sessions across Florida and for Catholic missionaries in other countries (where the marriage and family licensing board permits). Her areas of focus include anxiety, foster families/ foster children, trauma, attachment and relationship issues, marriage enrichment, couples in conflict, substance abuse, and parent-child relationships. For a free consultation, you can reach her by calling (727) 265-1147 or emailing [email protected]. Website: https://www.unlocktherapy.com/

PARENTING RESOURCES

COMPASS FOR PARENTS

• Modesty
• Gender Identity
• Dealing with Bullying
• Safety online
• Screentime

ENKINDLING THE FLAME OF FAITH CONFERENCE

• Proclaiming the Kerygma for Various Ages in Childhood
• Making Christ the Center of Your Family
• The Unique Spirituality of Catholic Parenting

PROGRAMS FOR COUPLES IN CRISIS

REtrouvaille

Jacksonville, FL Retrouvaille

New Orleans, LA Retrouvaille

Baton Rouge, LA Retrouvaille

Impossible Marriages Redeemed

DIVORCE AND SINGLES MINISTRY

"We [bishops] understand the pain of those for whom divorce seemed the only recourse...we urge them to make frequent use of the sacraments, especially the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation...we encourage divorced persons who wish to marry in the Catholic Church to seek counsel about the options that exist to remedy their situation, including the suitability of a declaration of nullity when there is no longer any hope of reconciliation of the spouses."

- U.S. Catholic Bishops, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan

Adults who Experienced Divorce As Children

As a child did, you suffer the pain of your parents marriage ending?
Life Giving Wounds is an online resource for those adults who are still dealing with the effects of their parents' divorce. There you can find links to national retreats, online communities,  books and articles which assist in the healing process. 

Leila Miller is a Catholic author whose book Primal Loss: The Now Adult Children of Divorce Speak compiles the stories of 70 anonymous adults who respond to eight questions about the effects their parents' divorces had on them from childhood into adulthood. The book is intended to be a comfort to those who thought that they were alone in their suffering and to help the wider public understand how detrimental divorce can be to a child's emotional-spiritual development.

Journey of Hope

Journey of Hope is a ministry for Catholics seeking healing from divorce in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. Journey of Hope is a program that aims to help people move forward with their lives after divorce and discover why the Catholic faith is essential in the healing process. Participants will see how they remain a wanted and needed member of the Body of Christ throughout these sessions. Journey of Hope is a program which has its origins in Atlanta, GA and Lexington, KY where it has already impacted thousands of Catholics suffering from the wounds of divorce. If you or someone you know would benefit from this  please reach out to our program facilitators, Mike and Brooks Logan, at [email protected].

Learn more about the annulment process at the Tribunal page.

SINGLES MINISTRY IN PENSACOLA

Are you a single person in your 30s, 40s, or 50s desiring fellowship with other Catholics? Consider taking part in this ministry covering the greater Pensacola area. Monthly gatherings take place at various locations, sometimes at parishes, more often at restaurants, homes or recreation spots. Open to those never married as well as those previously married. Contact [email protected] to receive more information.

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BEREAVEMENT

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
 Matthew 5:4
 

RED BIRD MINISTRIES

Red Bird Ministries grief support focuses on those who are carrying the heavy cross of child loss including: miscarriage, stillbirth, and after birth as an infant, child, adolescent, and adult child. Red Bird Ministries helps parents to understand grief, how to navigate through it, and how to take practical measures to begin the healing process. No matter the stage of grief our families are in, our programs will guide families to find healing and restoration through the beautiful gifts of Our Mother Church.

Miscarriage RESOURCES

One of the most difficult trials for married couples and families is the loss of a child in the womb. The incredibly personal and private nature of such difficulties often renders it especially painful as couples feel powerless in reaching out to others for assistance and support. The Church recognizes the particular need for sensitive pastoral care in these struggles to help couples and families heal and unite their sufferings to the Lord Jesus.

All Embrace - The mission of All Embrace, Inc. is to embrace all families, regardless of faith, who have lost a child from miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Embrace surrounds families with God's love through compassionate support, honoring their baby's life, and integrating the loss into their family.

Guidelines on Liturgical and Sacramental Support  - the Archdiocese of Boston provides extensive answers for both parents and clergy members on how to address liturgical concerns such as Catholic burial for miscarried and stillborn children, questions regarding Baptism, and rememberance Masses among various other topics.

Miscarriage: A Handbook for Parents  - the Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS has put out a wonderful resource for parents suffering the loss of miscarriage. Especially helpful in this resource are Scriptures and proclamations from Church officials which provide comfort and hope for parents anxious about the eternal salvation of their lost son or daughter.

Holy Cross Cemetery in Pensacola offers burial plots for those who have suffered miscarriages. For more information regarding the Church's pastoral care for those who have suffered misacrriages please call Chez Filippini in the office of Marriage and Family Life at 850-435-3553 or via email at [email protected].

Florida Statutes require health care providers to offer grieving parents a range of options for the disposition of fetal remains when miscarriage has occurred before the 20th week of pregnancy has been completed. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration requires all health care facilities to issue this form when they provide services for parents who suffering a miscarriage.

For parishes looking to develop a bereavement program

Ave Maria Press Bereavement Ministry Program
Seasons of Hope is highly adaptable to fit the individual needs of the grieving in the parish. The comprehensive guidebook and four participant journals, one for each season, give you everything you need from beginning to end.

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PORNOGRAPHY

Today's technologically driven culture has made pornography accessible on a vast scale. Both men and women, the young and the old, single and married people deal with the temptation to use pornography. In some cases, this use can become an addiction that can tear apart lives, relationships, and families. If you or a loved one are suffering through somethinkg like please consult the following resources to break free from pornography and experience true healing.

STRIVE

STRIVE is a powerful 21-Day Porn Detox that helps men understand why they go to porn and equips them with the knowledge, tools, and accountability needed to quit porn. Any man can join by simply texting "STRIVE" to 66866 to start this anonmyous and life changing journey today.
 

Covenant Eyes

An internet accountability service designed to help you overcome porn by monitoring your Internet activity and sending a report to a trusted friend who holds you accountable for your online choices. Useful for individuals, families, and organizations.
 

RECLAIM SEXUAL HEALTH

A science-based, Catholic  Online Recovery Program and other resources for those who desire to reclaim God's plan for their lives and the lives of loved ones impacted by pornography or other unhealthy sexual behaviors.
 

Integrity Restored

Integrity Restored is to help restore the integrity of individuals, spouses, and families that have been affected by pornography and pornography addiction. Integrity Restored provides education, training, encouragement, and resources to break free from pornography, heal relationships, and to assist parents in preventing and responding to pornography exposure which is so devastating in the lives of our children. 

SAME SEX ATTRACTION

The diocesan office of Marriage and Family seeks to provide as much support as possible to people dealing with same-sex attraction that they may achieve the ultimate fulfillment of every human heart - intimate relationship with God Himself through Jesus Christ (CCC 2359). We also reach out to any family members of people dealing with same-sex attraction to help understand these issues from a Catholic standpoint.
 
A quick summary of the Catholic teaching on same-sex attraction (SSA):

1. The Church views every human person through the lens of Jesus Christ. All the baptized are adopted sons and daughters of God the Father (Ephesians 1: 3, Romans 8: 37-38).

2. The Church recognizes that there are many people in the world who experience deep seated sexual attraction to members of the same sex (CCC 2358). This attraction can be a source of suffering as it is often tied to familial difficulties, social alienation, and personal confusion.

3. SSA is not a sin on its own. However it is considered disordered as it can lead a person to gravely sinful acts. This is in keeping with the Catholic view that any attraction or inclination to any sinful act is disordered as such feelings can lead us away from our true happiness - communion with God.

4. Sexual acts between members of the same sex are gravely sinful. The Scriptures and Church doctrine speak to this fact on many occasions. These acts do not embody the fruitful, sacrificial, and total offering of self which Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross and therefore are not worthy of the dignity of the human person.

5. The Church calls those experiencing SSA to do the same as any other person experiencing an inclination to sin: the constant practice of prayer, frequent use of the sacraments, particularly Confession and Eucharist, and to stay very close to the Church community for support and guidance.

6. The Church condemns unjust discrimination to those experiencing SSA (CCC 2358). They are to be welcomed, received, and encouraged by the Christian community to cast their burdens on the Lord and pursue the call of all the baptized - Christian perfection (CCC 2359, Matthew 5: 48).

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updated July 23, 2024

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