2016 Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference Program

Dr. Eileen Barbella
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Dr. Eileen M. Raffaniello Barbella is a licensed psychologist with
formation as a spiritual director. After earning a Ph.D. in Educational
Psychology from the University of Texas in Austin, she developed a
graduate course in family interventions at the University of Cincinnati.
She also began to integrate her study and practice of Ignatian
Spirituality with her work as a psychologist.
She did this as a pastoral associate/ campus minister, as a co-director
of a diocesan training program for spiritual directors in Austin, as an adjunct professor at
St. Edward’s University and at Regis in Denver, as a systems consultant to churches (Catholic,
Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist) and religious congregations (Benedictine,
Carmelite, Norbertine, Redemptorist, Jesuit, Incarnate Word and Divine Providence),
and as a retreat and workshop leader.
Since 1990 her scientific study has focused on natural family systems (or “Bowen”) theory.
After fifteen years as a licensed psychologist in private practice, a sabbatical offered her
the opportunity to develop an innovative professional service - spiritual coaching. In 2001
Dr. Barbella returned to private practice as a psychologist and spiritual coach in Cleveland,
Texas. Since then she also supervised a team or therapists at a nursing home, served as
director of another formation program for spiritual directors, taught Pastoral Care and Guidance
to the seminarians at St. Mary’s, and continued to lead many retreats and days of
prayers in the dioceses of Austin and Beaumont and the Archdioceses of Galveston-Houston
and San Antonio. Presently, she is a working full time as psychologist for the Shalom Center,
a residential renewal and treatment center for priests and religious, in Splendora, Texas.
Dr. Gerry Ken Crete
Dr. Gerry Ken Crete earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and
Supervision with a specialty in Marriage and Family Therapy from
the University of Georgia. He is licensed as a Professional Counselor
and Marriage and Family Therapist with additional certifications
in treating trauma and sexual addiction. He currently sees
clients at Holy Family Counseling Center in Duluth, Georgia and
is an AAMFT clinical fellow and supervisor. He is also an Assistant
Professor in the Mental Health Counseling Department at Argosy
University’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Crete is committed to the integration of Catholic spiritualtiy with evidence based mental
health interventions. His research has focused on resilience of male survivors of childhood
trauma. He helps facilitate diocesan retreats for male survivors of childhood abuse in Atlanta
and he runs a therapy group for men with sexual addictions.