The Examen: A 5-Step Daily Prayer for Peace, Clarity, and Connection

The Examen: A 5-Step Daily Prayer for Peace, Clarity, and Connection

In Episode 7 of Post-Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete, Dr. Thomas Plante introduces the Examen, a five-step daily prayer from St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Examen invites us to reflect on the day with God by noticing gratitude, reviewing our thoughts and emotions, acknowledging where healing or forgiveness is needed, and choosing one small step toward greater love and purpose. This simple 15-minute practice can help deepen spiritual connection while also supporting emotional awareness, hope, meaning, and mental health. Featured Resources The Elijah Institute offers a downloadable Examen card along with two research papers exploring the psychological benefits of Examen-based practices: * “A Clinical Trial of the Examen and Mindfulness Within a Secular Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program” Christopher M. Buenrostro and Thomas G. Plante, Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 2024. * “A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Psychological Benefits of a Daily Examen-Based Practice” Thomas G. Plante, David B. Feldman, Jacqueline Ge, and Anthony Cortese, Journal of Religion and Health, 2025. Download the Examen card and research papers here: https://elijah-institute.org/white-papers [https://elijah-institute.org/white-papers] Elijah Institute  Post Traumatic Growth with Dr. Gerry Crete is presented by the Elijah Institute.  Find out more about Elijah Institute’s nationally approved, continuing education courses in spiritually integrated whole person care at elijah-institute.org [http://elijah-institute.org].   examen, Jesuit spirituality, mindfulness, trauma healing, spiritual practices, mental health, research, therapy, religious integration, post traumatic growth key  topics The examen prayer and its elements Research findings on the examen's effectiveness Adaptations for diverse populations Comparison with mindfulness and secular practices The role of imagery and visualization in healing Christian distinctives in spiritual practices Music and other sensory elements in spirituality Implications for trauma and addiction treatment Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Post Traumatic Growth 01:36 Exploring the Examen: A 500-Year-Old Prayer 05:18 The Five Steps of the Examen Prayer 10:21 Research Findings on the Examen vs. Mindfulness 12:21 Imagining Tomorrow: Visualization in Recovery 16:18 The Power of Experiential Prayer 22:16 Christianity's Unique Approach to Suffering 25:52 Researching Sacred vs. Secular Music 30:02 Integrating Music and Spirituality in Therapy 34:24 Conclusion and Next Steps in Therapy

From Addiction to Freedom: The Power of Faith and 12 Steps with Scott Weeman

This episode explores the intersection of faith, recovery, and mental health through the inspiring story of Scott Weemann, founder of Catholics in Recovery. Discover how the 12 Steps and the Sacraments can work together as pathways to healing and spiritual growth. Recovery, Faith, 12 Steps, Sacraments, Addiction, Catholic Church, Mental Health, Post-Traumatic Growth, Spirituality, Healing Key Topics The intersection of faith and recovery The role of 12 Steps and Sacraments in healing Trauma and addiction connection The importance of community and acceptance Practical steps for spiritual growth and reconciliation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Addiction and Recovery 01:04 The Role of Faith in Recovery 08:22 Understanding Trauma and Addiction 19:20 The Importance of Community and Acceptance 24:30 Post-Traumatic Growth and Recovery 30:35 Integrating Mental Health and 12-Step Programs 40:56 Transformative Power of Recovery 44:50 Final Thoughts and Resources Resources Catholics in Recovery - https://catholicinrecovery.com [https://catholicinrecovery.com] The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments (Book) - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/the-twelve-steps-and-the-sacraments [https://www.avemariapress.com/products/the-twelve-steps-and-the-sacraments] Scott Weemann's Book - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/catholic-in-recovery-workbook [https://www.avemariapress.com/products/catholic-in-recovery-workbook]

A Father, a Daughter, and the Cost of Chronic Illness

In this episode of Post-Traumatic Growth, Dr. Gerry Crete sits down with theologian and counseling student Dr. Donald Wallenfang and his daughter Ellen. Ellen, now a 25-year-old singer-songwriter, shares her diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at age 15, her years-long struggle with diabulimia, and the road through residential treatment to healing.  Main Topics: * Ellen's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis and the shame and identity disruption it produced * Diabulimia: how insulin manipulation became a form of disordered eating * The moment Ellen chose to seek treatment—and what made that possible * How chronic illness strained the father-daughter relationship and what family therapy revealed * Integrating faith and professional mental health care without collapsing one into the other Chapters: * 00:00: Welcome and Introduction * 02:26: Ellen's Story: Diagnosis and Identity * 08:46: Diabulimia and Insulin Manipulation * 11:10: Hitting Rock Bottom and Seeking Help * 15:40: Faith as an Undercurrent of Peace * 17:56: Advice for Young People Struggling * 19:27: What Treatment Actually Looked Like * 26:05: A Father's Perspective * 30:48: Resentment, Resistance, and Family Therapy * 44:34: What Therapists and Parents Should Know Resources Mentioned: * The Elijah Institute: https://elijah-institute.org/ [https://elijah-institute.org/] * 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/ [https://988lifeline.org/] * National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/ [https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/] Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/ [https://saintkolbestudios.com/]

The Theology of Listening with Dr. Donald Wallenfang

In this episode of Post-Traumatic Growth, Dr. Gerry Crete sits down with Dr. Donald Wallenfang—Secular Carmelite, theologian, professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, and father of six—to explore what the Church owes young people in a post-pandemic world. Drawing on the political theology of Johann Baptist Metz and the Carmelite contemplative tradition, Dr. Wallenfang makes the case that narrative, memory, and solidarity are the foundations of genuine accompaniment. Main Topics: * The post-pandemic mental health crisis among youth and why advice alone is not enough * Dr. Wallenfang's journey from youth ministry to theology to clinical psychology * Johann Baptist Metz's political theology and the concept of "dangerous memories" * How narrative and storytelling connect young people's suffering to Christ's passion * Carmelite contemplative spirituality as a foundation for pastoral and clinical presence Chapters: * 00:00: Welcome and Introduction * 02:11: Adoption, Vocation, and the Path to Theology * 05:27: Youth Ministry and Pastoral Accompaniment * 09:19: Encountering Youth Trauma in Suburbia * 16:26: Trauma, Empathy, and the Limits of the Minister * 19:39: Safety Before Vulnerability * 21:03: Johann Baptist Metz and Dangerous Memories * 24:16: Narrative, Memory, and Dangerous Stories * 31:07: Carmelite Contemplation and Full Presence * 36:25: Advice for Parish Leaders and Youth Ministers Resources Mentioned: * The Elijah Institute: https://elijah-institute.org/ [https://elijah-institute.org/] * Roots: Catholic Youth Evangelization in a Post-Pandemic World: https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Catholic-Evangelization-Post-Pandemic-Perspectives/dp/1666732184 [https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Catholic-Evangelization-Post-Pandemic-Perspectives/dp/1666732184] * The Mendicant Philosopher: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMendicantPhilosopher [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMendicantPhilosopher] * Catholic Therapists: https://catholictherapists.com/ [https://catholictherapists.com/] Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/ [https://saintkolbestudios.com/]

Finding Christ in Chronic Illness w/ Cameron Fradd

In this episode of Post-Traumatic Growth, Dr. Gerry Crete sits down with Cameron Fradd—host of Among the Lilies podcast and wife of Matt Fradd—to discuss her eight-year journey with chronic illness and the unexpected spiritual and emotional growth it has produced. Cameron shares how suffering has deepened her prayer life, shaped her children's empathy, and drawn her closer to Christ rather than further away. Main Topics: * Cameron's journey with chronic illness and how it reshaped her sense of identity * The invisible nature of chronic illness and the experience of feeling unseen * How suffering deepened rather than damaged her relationship with God * The impact of chronic illness on marriage and motherhood * Integrating faith and healing without using spirituality to bypass pain Chapters: * 00:01: Welcome and Introduction * 00:30: Cameron's Health Journey and Chronic Illness * 02:04: Accepting a New Normal * 04:04: Discovering the Mind-Body Connection * 06:10: A Profound Encounter * 10:56: The Invisible Suffering of Chronic Illness * 12:42: Speaking at SEEK Through the Pain * 16:58: How Suffering Deepened Cameron's Prayer Life * 20:36: The Impact on Marriage and Motherhood * 26:57: Growing in Empathy as a Family * 28:24: Redemptive Suffering and Human Flourishing * 38:49: What Therapists Should Know Resources Mentioned: * Hallow App: https://hallow.com/ [https://hallow.com/] * Among the Lilies podcast with Cameron Fradd: https://www.cameronfradd.com/ [https://www.cameronfradd.com/] * Litanies of the Heart by Dr. Gerry Crete: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/litanies-of-the-heart/ [https://sophiainstitute.com/product/litanies-of-the-heart/] * The Elijah Institute: https://elijah-institute.org/ [https://elijah-institute.org/] Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/ [https://saintkolbestudios.com/]