Why Thomistic Psychology?
Ite ad Thomam
What Is Thomistic Psychology?
Thomistic psychology provides a philosophical framework for understanding the human person, especially their intellectual processes, based on the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican and Doctor of the Church. It emphasizes how reason and faith together help us comprehend human nature and behavior and presents an authentically Catholic anthropological view of the person. Rooted in classical metaphysics, it views the human person as a unity of body and soul, where the soul is the form of the body and the seat of intellect, will, and emotion.
Unlike modern psychological models that often separate mind and body or reduce human behavior to biology alone, Thomistic psychology offers a holistic view that integrates reason, free will, and the moral dimension of human life. It provides a timeless framework for understanding human nature, personal growth, and the pursuit of happiness in alignment with truth and virtue. According to Thomistic psychology, living a virtuous life and properly using and developing the intellect leads to mental health. From this perspective, we pursue happiness by knowing and loving God and through the development of virtue. Saint Thomas teaches that God creates our existence, and through Him, we find happiness both in this life and the next.
Why Thomistic Psychology?
In 1879, Pope Leo XIII issued the papal encyclical Aeterni Patris to respond to the cultural and philosophical shift away from Christian philosophy and a true understanding of the human person. The document formally established Thomism as the Catholic Church’s primary philosophical perspective and aimed to counter the philosophical errors of the modern age, which gave rise to contemporary psychological theories. Therefore, we must look to a Thomistic standpoint to find a true solution to the errors of modern psychology and to pursue authentic mental health and well-being.
“…We exhort you, venerable brethren, in all earnestness to restore the golden wisdom of St. Thomas, and to spread it far and wide for the defense and beauty of the Catholic faith, for the good of society, and for the advantage of all the sciences” – Pope Leo XIII, Aeterni Patris
Mental Health Professional Interested in Learning Thomistic Psychology?
We are currently seeking Catholic counselors and therapists who are interested in joining a cohort focused on learning and applying Thomistic psychology in their clinical practice. This program will include didactic training in Thomistic psychological principles, individualized case consultations from a Thomistic perspective, and the opportunity to engage in peer discussion within a professional cohort. Participation is limited to licensed mental health professionals or those with equivalent professional training.
If you’re interested, please visit our Contact page and complete the form to indicate your interest.