The Catholic Couch
The Catholic Couch is the official podcast of the Catholic Counseling Institute, where Catholic faith and psychological science meet real life. Hosted by licensed Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington, this podcast explores the intersection of theology, mental health, and human relationships.
Each episode offers practical tools, grounded in Church teaching and peer-reviewed research, on topics like marriage, boundaries, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, parenting, trauma, forgiveness, and healing.
This is not therapy. This is faithful, formative support—so you can grow in clarity, peace, and purpose.
Pull up a seat. There's a place here for you.
Episodes
20 episodes
"Righteous Anger: Embracing Emotions with Faith"
Understanding and Integrating Holy Anger in Our LivesThis episode explores the concept of holy anger, using Jesus' cleansing of the temple as a case study. Starting with a prayer, it delves into the emotions behind anger, contrasting ri...
•
42:08
"I Forgive" How Did Erika Kirk Do It? The Psychology & Theology Of Forgiveness
The Power and Process of Forgiveness: Merging Psychology and FaithIn this episode, viewers are taken on a deep dive into the concept of forgiveness through the lens of both psychology and theology. The script recounts powerful stories o...
•
26:38
Should You Date Someone You Aren't Attracted To?
Physical Attraction and Catholic Dating: Navigating Sparks and SubstanceIn this episode of 'The Catholic Couch,' Amber Pilkington tackles the complex topic of physical attraction in Catholic dating. She explores whether initial sparks a...
•
31:22
How Catholic Couples Repair
The R.E.P.A.I.R Method: Strengthening Catholic MarriagesThis video explains how a simple gesture like lighting a candle can help save and strengthen a marriage, especially within the Catholic faith. The speaker introduces the R.E.P.A.I....
•
21:02
"The Hidden Trap of Spiritual Bypassing: What Every Catholic Needs to Know"
Join Amber Pilkington on the Catholic Couch as she addresses the common issue of spiritual bypassing among faithful Catholics. Despite regular prayer and devotion, many still feel anxious, stuck, or unhealed. Amber explains how spiritual bypass...
•
21:09
"Transform Stress into Strength: Faith-Based Advice for Moms"
Monday Morning Moments for Catholic Moms: Finding Peace and Prayer Amidst ChaosIn this uplifting episode, the host kicks off with a warm welcome to all Catholic moms, spiritual mothers, and grandmothers, reflecting on a recent Catholic ...
•
46:07
"Top 10 Lies that Destroy Mental Health: Unmasking Spiritual Sabotage"
Top 10 Lies from the Devil Affecting Your Mental HealthIn this episode of the Catholic Couch podcast, Amber Pilkington, a Catholic therapist, addresses the silent suffering of Catholics dealing with anxiety. She debunks the top 10 subtle...
•
32:15
"Master Your Mind: Catholic Mom's Guide to Thought Diffusion and Peace" MMMFCM Aug 5, 2025
Finding Peace Amidst Chaos: Thought Diffusion for Catholic MomsJoin us on this Monday morning as we explore spiritual and psychological insights tailored for Catholic moms. We open with a reflection on grace, followed by a trivia segment...
•
52:12
When Horrible Thoughts Pop Into Your Head At Church: A Catholic Guide to Scrupulosity OCD
🎓 Take the next step with the course: https://catholiccounselinginstitute.thrivecart.com/freedom-for-catholics/Have you ever had a blasphemous thought pop into your head during Mass or prayer—and felt instant panic? You’re not alone. In...
•
7:57
Healing After Pornography Betrayal: A Catholic Therapist’s Guide to Trauma, Prayer, and Recovery
What happens when the person you trusted most becomes the source of your deepest pain?In this sacred and raw episode, Amber walks Catholic women through the earliest days of betrayal—especially after discovering a husband’s pornography u...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
21:21
If You’re the Only One Trying in Your Marriage, Listen to This
What do you do when you’re the one reading the books, going to therapy, initiating the hard conversations—and your spouse seems checked out, defensive, or emotionally unavailable? In this deeply honest episode of The Catholic Couch, Ca...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
16:29
Healing Catholic Marriage After Pornography Betrayal
If pornography has impacted your marriage, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington explains the real differences between coaching and counseling when it comes to healing after p...
•
9:21
Boundaries in Catholic Marriage - Episode 3: Why Do We Keep Missing Each Other?
In this episode, we cover:How personality and upbringing shape emotional communicationWhy “mental load” causes resentment in marriagesDr. John Gottman’s research on “negative sentiment override”Emotional f...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
13:37
Kind Is Not a Virtue—St. Catherine and the Art of Holy Assertiveness
Episode Title: Kind Is Not a Virtue—St. Catherine and the Art of Holy AssertivenessHost: Amber Pilkington, LPC-S | Catholic therapist, wife, and founder of The Catholic Counseling InstituteEpisode Summary:In ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
10:57
What Submission Is (And Is Definitely Not)
In this episode, we untangle one of the most misused and misunderstood words in Catholic marriage: submission.What Ephesians 5 really says (and why it’s often quoted out of context)What mutual submission means from...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
8:01
The Hidden Crisis Catholic Moms Are Facing
In this vulnerable and validating episode, Catholic therapist, wife, and mom Amber Pilkington dives into one of the most hidden but widespread struggles in motherhood: loneliness. Especially for stay-at-home Catholic moms, the pressure t...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
9:40
Did St. Ignatius Invent Therapy?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola didn’t just change the Church—he may have accidentally invented a foundational practice in modern therapy. In this episode, Amber Pilkington breaks down how his method of discernment, emotional tracking, and truth-ba...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
7:56
The Catholic Church Has A Mental Health Problem: Pope Leo XIV Responds
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRAYER CARD HERE: https://catholic-counseling-institute-2.kit.com/f5ff865d5aIn this powerful episode of The Catholic Couch, Catholic therapist Amber Pilkington responds to Pope Leo XIV’s June prayer in...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
17:00