Our faculty consists of nationally recognized scholars and practitioners whose work is grounded in evidence-based models and tailored for faith-integrated care. We educate professionals to provide care that is clinically sound, ethically rigorous, and spiritually attuned.

Thomas G. Plante, PhD, ABPP, is the Augustin Cardinal Bea, S.J. University Professor, Professor of Psychology, and by courtesy, Religious Studies and the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University, where he also directs the Applied Spirituality Institute. He is a scholar in residence of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and an emeritus adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He co-edits Integratus: The Journal of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association and edits the APA journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice. An APA Fellow in Divisions 12, 36, 38, 46, and 47, he served on APA's Council of Representatives (2016–21) and as past president of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (Division 36). He has published 29 books — including Living Ethically in an Unethical World (2024), Spiritually Informed Therapy (2024), Health Behavior Change (2024), and Contemporary Clinical Psychology, 4th Edition (2022) — along with over 275 journal articles and book chapters. He served as vice-chair of the National Review Board for the Protection of Children and Youth for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He holds a BA in psychology from Brown University, an MA and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas, and completed his clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in clinical and health psychology at Yale University. He maintains a private clinical practice as a licensed psychologist in Menlo Park, CA. .

Dr. Harold Koenig is a renowned physician and researcher affiliated with Duke University, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of spirituality and health. Serving as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke, Dr. Koenig has pioneered studies exploring the intersection of spirituality, religion, and mental health. His research has illuminated how spiritual beliefs and practices impact psychological well-being, resilience, and recovery from illness. Additionally, Dr. Koenig is the Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University Medical Center, where he leads interdisciplinary efforts to integrate spiritual care into medical practice and education, advocating for holistic approaches to patient care. His work has influenced healthcare professionals worldwide, shaping policies and practices that recognize the importance of spiritual dimensions in healing and wellness.
Beyond academia, Dr. Koenig is a prolific author, with numerous books and over 500 scientific articles to his name, making him a leading authority in his field. His compassionate approach and commitment to evidence-based research have earned him widespread respect among colleagues and healthcare professionals globally, highlighting his enduring impact on both scholarly discourse and clinical practice in psychiatry and medicine.

Dr. Karen Doll is a distinguished Consulting Psychologist with over 25 years of experience, renowned for her ability to integrate clients' faith with positive psychology to enhance overall well-being and facilitate professional development. Specializing in talent assessment, coaching, and strategy development, she serves as Chairwoman for the Elijah Institute, which reflects her unwavering commitment to holistic growth. She also serves as Chairwoman of the Harvard University Global Flourishing at Work Network; she actively champions global initiatives aimed at creating flourishing work environments. Dr. Doll leads impactful programs like Activate Talent, a women's leadership coaching group, and supports high-achieving professionals in optimizing their performance through faith-based positive psychology practices. Her bestselling book, "Building Psychological Fitness: How High Performers Achieve with Ease," emphasizes this vital integration.

Anthony Isacco, PhD, serves as the program director and professor in the innovative Catholic faith-integrated MS in Clinical Psychology Program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. As a licensed psychologist, he leads Puritan Psychological Services, a dedicated private practice aimed at supporting clergy, seminarians, and women religious in their pursuit of healthy, holy, and happy lives within their vocations. Dr. Isacco is a generalist with specialized expertise in the psychology of men and masculinity, fatherhood, psychological assessment, and the integration of religious and spiritual principles in psychology. He is also a Fellow of the St. John Paul II Foundation and contributes to the Advisory Board of Saint Paul Seminary in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as well as to the Formation Team of Saint Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Seminary in the Eparchy of Pittsburgh. Dr. Isacco earned his BA from Franciscan University of Steubenville, his MA from Boston College, and his PhD from Loyola University of Chicago.

Maribel Laguna is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Dallas, Texas, and the founder of Cor Sacrum Counseling and Consulting, PLLC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Dallas and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the University of North Texas, with additional certification as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and as a FOCCUS and Prepare and Enrich facilitator.
With over 14 years of clinical experience working with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families, Maribel has served in settings ranging from the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center and Genesis Women's Shelter to Dallas ISD Youth and Family Centers. She specializes in pre-marital preparation, marital counseling, and vocational discernment, working closely with diocesan leaders to guide individuals and couples toward fulfilling life paths.
A former board president and current board member of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, Maribel is deeply committed to integrating Catholic principles into evidence-based clinical practice. She is a respected presenter at Catholic conferences nationwide and has been featured on EWTN's Cara a Cara, where she fosters dialogue on the intersection of faith and mental health.

Jon Sperry, Ph.D., serves as an Associate Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lynn University and works as a staff therapist at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Florida Atlantic University. He is the past president of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) and currently holds the position of Co-Editor for the Journal of Individual Psychology. Throughout his career, he has co-authored eight textbooks and has lectured in 24 different countries.
Dr. Sperry specializes in competency-based instruction and outcomes-focused evaluation. His expertise extends to teaching, research, writing, and delivering conference presentations, particularly focusing on case conceptualization in counseling practice.

Dr. Gerry Crete brings over three decades of experience as an educator and mental health professional to his diverse roles. As a strong advocate for integrating Christian principles with effective mental health treatment, Dr. Crete authored "Litanies of the Heart: Relieving Post-traumatic Stress and Calming Anxiety Through Healing Our Parts," published by Sophia Institute Press. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, and a doctorate in Counselor Education with a cognate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Georgia. Dr. Crete is also the founder of Transfiguration Counseling and Coaching, where his clinical expertise encompasses trauma, addictions, and anxiety disorders. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and EMDR Consultant.
Additionally, Dr. Crete served as President of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, frequently presenting on the integration of faith and psychology. Together with Dr. Peter Malinoski, he co-founded Souls and Hearts, an online mental health resource for Catholics, which offers communities, courses, podcasts, and blogs. Dr. Crete's dedication to advancing mental health within the Catholic community includes facilitating retreats, workshops, and providing consultations for various Catholic organizations.

Dr. Julia Sadusky is a licensed psychologist and the founder of Lux Counseling and Consulting in Littleton, Colorado, where she provides individual, family, and couples therapy specializing in sexual and gender identity development, trauma-informed care, and the integration of faith and clinical practice. She holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Regent University, completed her pre-doctoral internship at Biola University Counseling Center, and served as Trauma Track Coordinator during her post-doctoral fellowship at a partial hospitalization unit for eating disorders in Denver. Dr. Sadusky is the author of Start Talking to Your Kids About Sex and Talking with Your Teen About Sex (Ave Maria Press), and has co-authored Gender Identity & Faith: Clinical Postures, Tools, and Case Studies for Client-Centered Care (InterVarsity Press) and Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today's Youth (Brazos Press) with Mark Yarhouse, PsyD. She also contributed to Understanding Transgender Identities: Four Views (Baker Academic). As a ministry educator, Dr. Sadusky offers trainings and consultations to counseling centers and faith-based institutions on sexuality, gender, mental health, and the intersection of theology and clinical care. At the Elijah Institute, she teaches courses on religious and spiritual discrimination, navigating sexual orientation and gender identity within Catholic frameworks, and addressing identity conflicts with fidelity and compassion.

Father Innocent Okozi is a licensed counselor and a dedicated priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, where he serves as the Associate Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Barrie, ON, Canada. Before this role, he ministered as a missionary and pastor, providing spiritual guidance to diverse populations in Africa and the United States, including the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, and the Diocese of Portland, Maine. In 2010, he graduated from the counseling psychology Master's program at Seton Hall University, NJ, where he has also contributed as an adjunct professor. Joining the Southdown Institute in April 2020, he became a vital member of the clinical team that supports clergy, religious women and men, as well as lay ecclesial ministers from both the Catholic Church and various Christian denominations. Father Okozi has authored and published several psychological articles in academic journals and has participated in presentations at both local and international levels. He is fluent in both French and English.

Edward Rogers, Psy.D., LP is a licensed psychologist serving as Assistant Director and Training Director at the Baylor University Counseling Center in Waco, Texas, where he coordinates the APA-accredited internship in psychology. He holds clinical psychology degrees from Loyola University Maryland and Baylor University, and began his professional life with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from The Catholic University of America, followed by nearly a decade in campus and youth ministry before discovering his calling in psychology. Dr. Rogers maintains a small private practice dedicated to clients seeking a Catholic clinician, and his clinical interests include anxiety, depression, questions of faith and sexuality, and the stresses of professional formation and leadership. A member of the American Psychological Association, the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies, and the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, he brings a deeply integrated approach to his work — one shaped by the conviction that who the therapist is matters as much as what the therapist does. He and his wife Liz are the parents of six children.

Rev. David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., is a dedicated priest of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America, serving as a clinical psychologist and author of the insightful book, Spiritual Direction for Priestly Celibacy. Before joining Saint Luke Institute, he was the spiritual director and prefect of studies at Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, he held the position of director of counseling services at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and contributed to various roles at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Fr. Songy earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Denver and a doctorate in sacred theology from the Teresianum, the Pontifical Institute of Spirituality in Rome. He also holds a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola College and theology degrees from the Aquinas Institute. A polyglot, Fr. Songy is fluent in Italian, Spanish, and Tok Pisin, the language spoken in Papua New Guinea. (For those who recall Fr. Malachy, it’s noteworthy that he and Fr. David collaborated in Papua New Guinea.) He is recognized internationally as a speaker on important topics such as priestly spirituality, formation in priestly celibacy, and spiritual direction. Currently, Fr. David serves as the local superior of his Capuchin community and imparts his knowledge as a teacher at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Denver.

Dr. Martin graduated from The Institute for Psychological Sciences’ (IPS) in 2009 as a Doctor of Psychology. He also holds Masters’ Degrees in Clinical Psychology, Religious Studies, and Counseling Psychology. Dr. Martin is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Nebraska and serves as the Internship Director of Integrated Training and Formation at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Counseling Center.
In 2008, Dr. Martin started a clinical outreach site at the University of Nebraska Newman Center. He has served on the Executive Board of the Catholic Psychology Association and the Board of Witness to Love: Marriage Preparation Renewal Ministry. Dr. Martin has been in practice since 2007. He is Level 1 Internal Family Systems (IFS) trained and has begun training for Level 1 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Dr. Martin’s practice includes therapy for college students and adults, including Group Therapy and Marital Therapy.
This website provides education, not treatment. It does not replace therapy, diagnosis, or professional care.
If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis:
Call or text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call, text, or chat 24/7) (chat option at 988lifeline.org)
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if there is immediate danger to life
Text HOME to 741741 — Crisis Text Line (free, 24/7)
For Catholic-specific pastoral support, contact your local diocese or pastor.
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