When people are hurting, confused, worried, frightened, out of control, have phobias, they naturally want help and have difficulty dealing with life. This is no different with Catholic priests. Even the happiest, most well-adjusted clergy may encounter problems. Those problems might be caused by vocational crisis, relationships with superiors or subordinates, difficulties in ministry work, the death of a friend or family member, substance abuse, difficult living situations, or any one of a thousand of things.

Counseling or psychotherapy is a form of healing conversation. The role of the therapist in this conversation is to guide those seeking help toward making effective personal changes in their lives.