Who We Are

Litanies of the Heart is an incredible integration of cutting-edge psychotherapeutic approaches with orthodox Catholic theology and practice. I especially enjoyed reading about the different conditions of our wounded and frightened hearts brought into the light of God’s merciful love and following that by praying Litanies of the Wounded, Closed, and Fearful Hearts. This book will lead you on a lifelong journey of “re-collection” — gathering all the divided, sinful, and traumatized parts of your heart into wholeness and communion with God. I highly recommend it for everyone who desires to embark on this journey of healing and for those who assist in this journey.

As both an executive coach and business owner, I find it helpful to coach the whole person, not only the parts of the person that desire growth. The hidden, stubborn, and self-sabotaging parts also need compassion and coaching. Litanies of the Heart is a gift to coaches and managers who aspire to coach the whole person as a pathway to human formation and flourishing for the glory of God.

Litanies of the Heart provides innovative approaches linking Christian meditation and psychology that will help the broken find comfort, consolation, and healing for their wounds.

This beautiful book needs to be in the hands of every Christian on a journey of healing and those involved in trauma recovery work! Dr. Crete has written a book that has finally brought needed clarity to the Internal Family Systems model for Christians. As a wounded healer myself, I found that the Litanies of the Heart finally gave parts of me the language to call out to my Beloved Father in gentleness and trust.

I was a skeptic with questions on the compatibility of Internal Family Systems and the Catholic Faith. This book put those questions to rest. Dr. Crete eloquently grounds the work of IFS in a firm Christian anthropology, elevating the nobility of the ‘self’ to a ‘self’ with the potential to enter a divine union with God by grace. The ultimate integration Dr. Crete speaks of is one that surpasses the integration of internal parts or personalities to a redeemed reintegration of man through Jesus with himself, his Creator, and the Body of Christ.

Gerry Crete provides readers with a fresh and extremely useful guide to understanding stress and anxiety in the context of faith. He not only provides fascinating information about a Catholic approach to Internal Family Systems, but he walks the reader through this powerful process to discover genuine hope and healing on the journey.

I have long awaited a Catholic Faith–integrated IFS book to recommend to clients and fellow clinicians that is neither Catholic-lite nor IFS-lite. It has arrived, and it is edifying for both head and heart! Dr. Crete effectively communicates an impressive fund of knowledge of the Catholic spiritual tradition and the psychological sciences in an engaging and readable way. The insightful examples from his professional practice, the innovative faith-integration efforts, and the numerous spiritual exercises will help to deepen and broaden not only your self-knowledge but also your love of God and your love of neighbor as yourself. Dr. Crete’s attachment-informed Litanies of the Heart are, by themselves, worth the price of the book. Enjoy! You will not be disappointed.

There’s a powerful movement that’s been brewing in the world of Catholic integration with secular psychology. In this book, Gerry emerges on the cutting edge of a profound development in our understanding of the person through the revealed and the observed. I’ve been waiting for a Catholic perspective on IFS to connect the deep dots, and Gerry does not disappoint. I’ll be sharing this with clients and professionals alike for years to come.

In Litanies of the Heart, Dr. Gerry Crete offers us a treasure trove of wisdom and pathways of healing. He provides several books in one: an expert teaching on psychology; a deep reflection on Scripture through the lenses of psychology and Catholic theology; and a compassionate way of discovery, understanding, and healing for our hearts. I was repeatedly moved to tears while I read the poignant stories of suffering that also shone a light on my own heart. I was moved to hope for deeper healing and integration, and I kept thinking of various people with whom I am excited to share this book. It is not a quick read — it is an in-depth exploration, a real journey into our hearts. Dr. Crete is an expert guide for this journey. He has a rich integration of Catholic faith and complex psychological models gained through prayer, study, extensive personal experience, and extensive therapeutic experience. He generously shares that lifelong integration with us in this masterpiece.

Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to turn our attention to the state of our hearts, inviting us into a safe and intimate relationship with God, others, and even ourselves. As a caring, experienced, and spiritually devout therapist, Dr. Gerry Crete encourages our response to Jesus’ invitation with this much-needed resource about the soul’s parts and the inmost self. Beautifully integrating Christian Scripture, tradition, and theology with brilliant psychological insights, helpful exercises, and healing prayers, Litanies of the Heart will accompany and woo your heart away from pain and suffering toward freedom and joy.

If you desire inner harmony and freedom, this book is for you! Dr. Gerry Crete will be your gentle and caring guide on an amazing journey into the heart, in which he will help you grow in self-knowledge, self-leadership, peace, and joy. In this amazing book, Dr. Gerry integrates cutting-edge parts psychology with the riches of the Catholic tradition. Great treasure lies within.