A Catholic approach to psychotherapy is one in which a mental health professional, viewing his profession as a vocation, and guided by Catholic ethical principles, utilizes a Catholic understanding of the person, marriage and family life, and of human flourishing, in order to assess problems, and to plan and implement therapeutic interventions.

Such interventions are chosen with regard to their proven effectiveness and consistency with this view of the person and with regard to the uniqueness of the particular client.

This uniqueness of the client is manifested in the form of a personal worldview which is developed over time in the context of the client's culture, religion, family and individual experiences and is shaped by their response to a personal call to holiness, their particular vocation or state in life, and their personal vocation.

The therapeutic relationship is an interpersonal relationship in which the therapist utilizing a Catholic worldview - mediated by the therapist's own world view - is in service of the client's healing, flourishing, and life goals in a manner which is respectful of the client's innate uniqueness and dignity, conscience, and freedom to make life decisions.