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.
The Catholic Couch
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 to “cherish every moment” can collide painfully with the reality of feeling isolated, unseen, and emotionally spent.
Amber blends psychological research and Catholic theology to show how loneliness affects the mind, body, and soul—and what you can actually do about it. This episode will remind you that you're not a failure, you're not alone, and you were never meant to carry the weight of motherhood by yourself.
What We Cover in This Episode:
- The surprising research on parental loneliness
- Why Catholic moms may be especially vulnerable
- How loneliness impacts your nervous system, confidence, and mental health
- The difference between “hard” and “impossible”
- What the Catechism and Genesis say about being made for community
- Simple ways to build connection (even when you’re stuck at home)
- How to pray, parent, and ask for help when you feel invisible
- Why saying “I’m lonely” might be the bravest thing you can do
Quotes to Remember:
- “You’re not failing—you’re just lonely.”
- “Hard is not the same as impossible. What turns impossible into manageable is connection.”
- “Jesus didn’t carry His cross alone. Neither should you.”
Resources Mentioned:
- BMC Women’s Health Study on Maternal Loneliness (Arimoto & Tadaka, 2021)
- Perspectives in Public Health Scoping Review on Parental Loneliness (Nowland et al., 2021)
- U.S. Surgeon General Advisory on Loneliness (2023)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 1878–1880 on the human person and society
- Genesis 2:18 — “It is not good for man to be alone.”
If You Loved This Episode:
- Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast app
- Share this episode with a Catholic mom who needs encouragement
- Join the conversation on Instagram [@yourhandle] and tag us with your takeaways
Disclaimer:
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling, spiritual direction, or medical advice. While I’m a licensed Catholic therapist, I am not your therapist—and listening to this podcast does not create a therapeutic relationship.If you’re experiencing significant distress, please reach out to a licensed mental health provider in your area, your parish priest, or a trusted support resource. If you're in crisis, contact 988 or your local emergency services.The Catholic Counseling Institute exists to support women with resources that integrate faith and psychological insight. We’re here to walk with you, but we are not a crisis line or emergency care provider.