Being Human Podcast - Episode 92: How to Make Good Decisions, w/ Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace (Certification Series: Part 9 of 12)

Welcome to Episode 92 of the Being Human Podcast: How to Make Good Decisions, w/ Dr. Bryan and Amy Grace (Certification Series: Part 9 of 12)

On this week’s episode introducing content in the third-level spirituality course of our new Certification, Amy Grace takes over as host with Dr. Greg and Dr. Bryan joining in for a conversation about decision-making and discernment of spirits! 

Discussed in this episode:

• Can we trust our desires when making decisions?; 
• The moral implication present in each choice; 
• Making good decisions, and helping others do the same;
• Can God draw good from our mistakes or bad choices? 
• What is meant by “discernment of spirits”; 
• How God uses both desolation and consolation for our benefit; 
• Deciding between two good options: is there a choice that is best? 
• The way our personal narratives and wounds impact our ability to make decisions;
• The danger in spiritual directors being unaware of their patterns of relating; 
• Our engagement with spiritual content as interpreted through our psychology.  

Resources mentioned or relevant:

• Register for the next Open House to learn more about our new certification!

• G.K. Chesterton’s Biography of St. Francis of Assisi; 
• The Personalism of John Paul II by John Crosby;  
• The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Fr. Timothy Gallagher; 
• Become a member of the Integrated Life Community to get access to every course Dr. Greg has created, including his Catholic Mindfulness 2: Discernment of Spirits course; 

• Start the Certification series from the beginning: Episode #84: What Does Catholic Anthropology Even Mean? w/ Dr. Bryan Violette (Certification Series: Part 1 of 12);
• Learn about IDDM (Mentorship), our new model of accompaniment;
• Need help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call with our staff to discuss how we can support you! 
• Sign up for Being Human, our weekly newsletter, to stay up to date on the exciting developments at CatholicPsych;
• Download The Integrated App for access to free audio exercises, the Catholic Mindfulness Virtual Retreat, courses, prayer resources, and more; 

• Visit our website to read the CatholicPsych blog, shop in the CatholicPsych bookshop, or discover other resources we have available. 

Contact us! Have a topic or a question you would like Dr. Greg to address on the podcast? Want to give some feedback about this episode? Email us at [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

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About Dr. Greg and the CatholicPsych Institute

Dr. Bottaro is a clinical psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, a graduate school that integrates Catholic philosophy and theology with sound, empirically validated psychology.

Before his degree, Dr. Bottaro discerned a religious vocation with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs). He lived four years in the Bronx, serving the poor in the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi. Under the mentorship of Fr. Benedict Groeschel, this experience helped him form a spirituality based on Abandonment to Divine Providence which he now applies to psychological principles in his practice. He learned from Fr. Benedict how to discern God's voice and live a life in service to others.

Six years after leaving NYC as a friar, he returned as a psychologist. The CatholicPsych Institute began there in 2012 and has since grown to 5 offices with 12 therapists serving clients around the globe.

Dr. Bottaro now lives in Connecticut with his wife Barbra and their six children. He actively avoids watching the news and spends his free time thinking up crazy new ideas on how to make the world a better place.