Licensed professional counselor Catherine DiNuzzo has published a new book addressing what she calls “a unique hurdle for our time”: anxiety. The Catholic Guide Through Anxiety combines clinical psychology with Catholic spirituality for readers struggling with this prevalent mental health challenge. Read Aleteia’s interview with DiNuzzo for her insights on integrating faith and mental health treatment.
What the book offers
DiNuzzo’s approach treats anxiety as both a biological reality and a spiritual opportunity. The book acknowledges the neurological and chemical components of anxiety disorders while exploring how Catholic practices can support healing. This dual perspective addresses a common tension: some Catholics hesitate to seek clinical treatment, while some clinicians overlook the role of faith in mental wellness.
The timing aligns with Mental Health Awareness Month, when many Catholics are asking how their faith intersects with professional mental health care. DiNuzzo writes as both a licensed counselor and a practicing Catholic, bridging two worlds that don’t always speak the same language.
Why this matters
Anxiety disorders affect roughly one in five American adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Catholics are not exempt. Yet pastoral resources on anxiety have historically emphasized spiritual remedies (prayer, trust in Providence) without addressing clinical interventions, or vice versa. DiNuzzo’s integrated model reflects what many Catholic mental health professionals now advocate: that therapy, medication when needed, and spiritual practices can work together, not against each other.
The Church has increasingly affirmed this approach. The Catechism acknowledges that mental illness can diminish culpability for sin (CCC 1860), and recent Vatican statements have encouraged Catholics to seek professional help for psychological suffering without shame. A book like DiNuzzo’s makes that encouragement practical.
For Catholic readers
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, consider exploring resources that honor both the biological and spiritual dimensions of mental health. DiNuzzo’s book is one; others include the Catholic Psych Institute and Catholic Charities counseling services. And if you’re a Catholic clinician or pastoral minister, this integrated approach is worth understanding for the people you serve.
Sources:
1. Aleteia — interview with Catherine DiNuzzo
