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

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.

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

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

The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments (Book) - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/the-twelve-steps-and-the-sacraments

Scott Weemann's Book - https://www.avemariapress.com/products/catholic-in-recovery-workbook

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/
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/

Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios: https://saintkolbestudios.com/