Meet Our Pastoral Counselors
Each member of our practice is an expert in faith-integrated, research-based approaches to helping individuals, couples, and families. Working as a collaborative professional team, we’re ready to help you!
Dr. Gregory Popcak (POP-chak) is the Founder and Executive Director of the Pastoral Solutions Institute) a pastoral counseling/mental health ministry listed in the Official Catholic Directory under the Diocese of Steubenville. The author of over 20 popular books helping readers apply their Catholic faith to challenges of daily life, he is an expert on the practical applications of Pope John Paul the Great’s Theology of the Body. With his wife, Lisa, he hosts More2Life Radio, a call-in advice program heard M-F at 10 am E/ 9amC on almost 400 stations affiliated with the EWTN radio network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 130.
Dr. Popcak is certified as both a pastoral counselor and pastoral counseling trainer by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, and a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (FAAPC), He holds degrees in human services, clinical social work, theology, and psychology.
In addition to his ministry and broadcasting work, Dr. Popcak serves as the Executive Director of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life, a partnership with Holy Cross Family Ministries dedicated to promoting family spirituality and well-being through original research, professional training, and resource development. He is the former Chair of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies Program at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He has served as an adjunct professor of both psychology and graduate theology at Franciscan University.
Dr. Popcak and Lisa are the developers of Catholic Households on Mission, a digital platform dedicated to helping families become dynamic domestic churches. They also serve on the US Catholic Conference of Bishops National Advisory Board for Marriage and Family Ministry. In 2022, he and Lisa were invited by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life to deliver the opening keynote at the Rome World Meeting of Families.
Dr. Popcak’s articles appear regularly in various Catholic periodicals. His work has been featured on FoxNews, NPR’s Here and Now, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Ladies Home Journal, and The National Enquirer.
Michael Jarecki, M.A., LPC, is a senior pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. Michael has degrees in psychology, theology, and counseling from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he learned to blend a strong understanding of the Faith with equally strong pastoral skills. He is a member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors) and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. He has undergone extensive post-graduate training in pastoral counseling approaches to emotional, relational, and spiritual problems. Before his tenure with Pastoral Solutions, he worked at Catholic Social Services in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, at Girls and Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska, and in private practice.
Karin Lynne Quirk MSSA, LISW-S, is a senior pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Karin holds a Master of Science degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University, with a concentration in children, youth and families. Karin has extensive experience offering faith-based support to people recovering from abortion trauma, abuse, and unwanted divorce. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Karin worked in community mental health settings such as the Catholic Community League, Catholic Family Services, Summit County Family Services, and Aultman Hospital Emergency and Psychiatric Units. She has training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy and pastoral counseling approaches to emotional and spiritual disorders.
Dave McClow, M.Div., LCSW, LMFT, is a senior pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Dave has written on spirituality and wellness for Catholic Exchange, Patheos, and Today’s Catholic, He has a particular interest in the Catholic understanding of masculinity and fatherhood. He has developed the Abba Prayer & Challenge for Men. For over 30 years, he has been helping individuals, couples, and teams change in various settings: inpatient psychiatric and addictions, employee assistance, outpatient community mental health, and statewide technical assistance centers. He has extensive experience helping people find faith-based responses to emotional problems.
Joshua Hawrot, M.A., L.P.C.C., is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Joshua holds a Masters in Arts for Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is certified in Theophostic Prayer Ministry. He and his wife, Cruz, are leaders in the marriage preparation program for the Diocese of Steubenville, OH., and serve as a lead teaching couple for Engaged Encounter. Joshua has received extensive training and supervision in applying Catholic pastoral counseling approaches to problems related to emotional and relational health. His experience and professional training enable him to help people achieve greater healing, integration, and strength in their lives and relationships. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Joshua served as supervising therapist in partial hospital programs and outpatient counseling settings. He was trained in Cognitive-Based Trauma Therapy and practiced intensive therapy with individuals, couples, and families suffering from moderate to severe diagnoses.
Robert Taylor, MS, MSW, LCSW, is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Robert holds Master’s degrees in Social Work/Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has had extensive training in pastoral counseling interventions for emotional and relational problems and in assisting people in overcoming pornography. He and his wife have been certified Natural Family Planning instructors for the Couple to Couple League since 2002. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Robert served as a senior counselor with the Good Samaritan Counseling Center for the Diocese of Peoria. Robert has broad experience working with individuals, couples, and families and has training in gerontology.
Judi Phillips, MS, LMHC is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Judi holds a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Purdue University. As a pastoral counselor, Judi is passionate about helping individuals, couples, families, and parents recognize God’s plan for living abundant lives in communion with one another. Judi is trained as a Fertility Care Practitioner with the Creighton Model and has served her local diocese in this capacity since 2006. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Judi was a mental health counselor with experience in community mental health and private practice serving individuals, couples, families, and parents. Judi’s training and clinical expertise centered on attachment-related issues and posttraumatic stress related to abuse, neglect, and other traumatic life experiences.
James S. Livingston, M.Div., M.A. L.P.C.C. is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, James is fluent in Spanish. He holds a Master’s in Divinity from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and a Master’s of Arts in Counseling from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He also completed advanced graduate studies on the fundamentals of prayer, discernment/spiritual direction, and Theology of the Body at Creighton University. James specializes in helping people find faithful solutions to marriage, family, and personal problems. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, James worked in various mental health settings, including as an in-home family therapist and counselor in outpatient and partial hospitalization programs.
Drew Anderson, MSW., LCSW is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Drew holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a pastoral counselor, Drew is passionate about helping those who have experienced trauma find God’s peace, love, and healing. Drew and his wife are Natural Family Planning educators. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Drew worked in various settings, including private practice, inpatient and outpatient counseling centers, and tele-mental health counseling. While working for the Veterans Administration, he was trained to work with combat Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He also was trained in Acceptance Commitment Therapy, which he used on a treatment team that helped Veterans cope with chronic medical conditions like Type 2 diabetes.
Jacob Popcak, M.A., L.P.C., is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Jacob holds a Masters in Arts for Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has spoken across the country about Pope Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and has trained at the Theology of the Body Institute (TOB 1-3). He is the former co-host of the Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN, where, in addition to hosting and interviewing newsmakers both in the Church and around the world, he presented practical meditations on the gospels. He is a published author who has contributed writings on the intersections of faith, psychology, and art/beauty to multiple publications, including Our Sunday Visitor Press. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Jacob served as a therapist in various outpatient counseling settings where he practiced intensive therapy with individuals, couples, children, trauma patients, and families suffering various emotional and relational problems. He received advanced training in marriage therapy from the Gottman Institute, training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Beck Institute), and holds certifications in both Christian Counseling (Franciscan University of Steubenville) and treating online addictions (Zur Institute).
Rachael Isaac, MSW, LCSW, CPT, is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Rachael holds a master’s degree in social work (Clinical Specialization) from the University of Pittsburgh. As a pastoral counselor, she is passionate about helping people discover God’s plan for a more fulfilling and purposeful life. She serves as the editor and contributing writer for the Pastoral Solutions Institute blog, Faith On The Couch, on Patheos.com. Before joining the Pastoral Solutions Institute, Rachael worked in various outpatient mental health and counseling settings. She has received additional advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Gottman Relational Therapy, and the neurobiology of attachment and trauma.
Mark Kolodziej, Ph.D., CCPA, ACTA, (pronounced “kuh-LOW-zhee”) is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Mark has degrees in Christian counseling psychology, counseling psychology, adult learning, and developmental psychology. He is a certified Theology of the Body educator (TOB Institute) and has completed training in traumatology and level 3 Gottman Couple Counseling. Mark specializes in helping Catholics find faithful answers to relationship and family problems, pre and post-abortion challenges, career and learning challenges, and spiritual, personality, and emotional issues. He has developed faith-based recovery programs in pornography, domestic violence, anger management, and living a purposeful life. Mark has also served as a pastoral care consultant for several dioceses.
Grant Freeman, MS, LMHC is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Grant holds a master’s degree in counseling from Divine Mercy University. Grant is certified in Hogan Personality Assessments, which helps individuals come to a deeper understanding of how and why they behave the way they do. Grant continues to work with entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders as a coach and consultant. He has also completed Level 2 training with the Gottmann Relationship Institute. As a pastoral counselor, Grant has a passion for facilitating personal and interpersonal development, vocational/career discernment, and helping people apply their unique personality and the Catholic faith to the challenges of daily living. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Grant served as the Director of Evangelization at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University. Grant has co-authored a parish marriage preparation program for his parish and has mentored engaged couples with his wife, Claire. In close collaboration with the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, Grant helped shape the online academic program, the Christendom@ Project. He also spent more than a decade in the classroom as a Catholic high school teacher and administrator. Combining his deep understanding of the Catholic faith and his training as a mental health counselor, Grant has dedicated his professional career to accompanying people on their daily journey toward career/relationship satisfaction, personal virtue and, ultimately, sainthood.
Andrew Proctor, MSW, MTS, LCSW is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, he has a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with a dual concentration in mental health and addictions counseling. He also holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary, where he completed his thesis on the Catholic Church’s response to the sexual revolution. As an undergraduate, he attended Marian College, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Catholic Studies with a minor in Spanish. As a pastoral counselor, Andy is passionate about helping people discover ways their Catholic faith can help them overcome life’s challenges. He particularly enjoys working with couples and families and assisting people dealing with complex grief.
Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Andy worked in various community mental health settings, including home and school-based therapy. He has worked extensively with youth and families.
Thomas Pfister, MS, LPC, CSAC is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Thomas holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in both mental health and addiction, from Marquette University. Thomas has received extensive training in Thomistic psychology (i.e., the application of the philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas to counseling psychology) and is a recognized speaker on this topic. He has also provided pastoral care to various religious orders and worked in deliverance ministry. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Thomas worked in different mental health settings serving individuals and families of all ages. In particular, he served as a counselor with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay, WI.
Tom Weishaar, M.A., L.P.C. is a pastoral counselor/mental health ministry associate. A member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (the organization accredited by the US Dept of Education to certify pastoral counselors), and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers, Tom received his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his Master of Arts in Counseling from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He is an Advanced Certified Catechist through the Catechetical Institute at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Tom has spoken at homeschooling conferences and podcasts about the father’s education role. Tom also speaks on the topic of Franciscan Marian spirituality. As a member of the Militia Immaculata and the Marian Helpers, he brings a unique Marian perspective to his work. Before joining Pastoral Solutions, Tom had a broad range of experiences working with couples, trauma & sexual assault survivors, and clients battling anxiety and depression. He received advanced training in couples therapy From the Gottman Relationship Institute. He and his wife, Jacki, reside in Steubenville, Ohio, where they homeschool their three children.
Jacob Francisco, M.A, LMHC is a pastoral counselor with CatholicCounselors,com. He is a member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. He graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelors in Theology and Philosophy. His personal mission is to bring hope and healing to those struggling with God, themselves, and others. Before joining Pastoral Solutions Institute, Jake worked with children and families in foster care, adoptions, and the juvenile justice system, which provided a wide variety of experience with trauma, anxiety, depression, and child behavioral issues. He has advanced training from the Gottman Relationship Institute in working with married couples.
Anne Brunette, M.S.W, L.C.S.W. is a pastoral counselor with CatholicCounselors.com. Anne is a graduate of the University of Iowa and has her master’s degree in social work. Her prior work includes providing outpatient and in-home therapy for adults, families, and couples. Anne helps clients find faith-based strategies to strengthen their marriages, families and other relationships and assists them in learning the skills to decrease anxiety and depression and live the abundant life that God wants for them. Trained in trauma work, she is an expert in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). Anne is also certified in working with older adults, guiding them and their families through their unique life challenges. The opportunity to combine faith with solid research brought Anne to PSI. She is passionate about participating in the process of healing through Christ and helping people pursue being who God intended them to be. She also loves participating in leadership in the Women’s Ministry in her parish and facilitating small group bible studies.
Amanda Derington, MA, LPC, LCPC, is a pastoral counselor with CatholicCounselors.com. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri- Kansas City with a master’s degree in counseling and guidance. Before joining Pastoral Solutions Institute, Amanda worked within the non-profit sector in community mental health as a therapist and program manager with specialization in substance use disorders, though has experience with a variety of life challenges, including anxiety and depression. Amanda is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) trained. Amanda has additional post graduate training in Catholic-integrated approaches to dealing with marriage, family, personal and emotional struggles. She is enthusiastic about walking with others in their search for the peace and abundance that comes from receiving the graces God desires to shower upon them.
Ron LaGro, MSW, LSW, is a pastoral counselor with CatholicCounselors.com. He is a member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. Ron earned a BA in psychology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville as well as a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Before working with Pastoral Solutions Ron served in a variety of community mental health settings including an inpatient psychiatric hospital, an emergency shelter for foster children, as clinical director for a mental health agency, and as a therapist specializing in families in crisis. Ron has received training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy as well as therapy for children with sexually maladaptive behaviors. He is trained in Gottman Relationship Therapy (Level 2) and Internal Family Systems. Ron is passionate about helping individuals use spiritual resources for healing and helping families learn to thrive together and experience their Catholic faith as the source of the warmth in their homes. He also has an interest in helping men foster a healthy understanding of masculinity.
Telecounseling FAQs
Services FAQs
Absolutely. Extensive research has been conducted on telepsychology and the results are overwhelmingly positive. Several studies have found that tele-counseling is as effective as face-to-face therapy for a wide range of problems. In fact, research has shown that many clients were even more satisfied with tele-counseling because of the increased confidentiality, convenience, and ease or keeping appointments. In light of the growing research in favor of this approach, the American Psychological Association recently released a report endorsing telepsychology’s effectiveness and outlining seven specific advantages of tele-counseling.
Despite the loss of facial cues, a large percentage of non-verbal communication is comprised of tones-of-voice, specific word choice, pauses and vocalizations ("um," "ah," etc.), and other non-verbal cues that a tele-counselor has been trained to recognize and effectively interpret. Research on tele-counseling shows that in the absence of visual cues, clients and therapists find many other ways (both verbal and non-verbal) to avoid misunderstandings and to effectively communicate subtle shifts in emotion and meaning. ([1]; [2]; [3]). Remember, for the first 100 years of psychology's history, therapists positioned clients facing away from the therapist specifically to enable clients to more easily share personal information without fear or embarrassment. Under certain circumstances, facial expressions can be more of a hindrance than a help. If you like, think of your experience in tele-counseling as a variation on the theme of Confession "behind the screen." (only without absolution, of course).
1. Alleman, J. Online counseling: The internet and mental health treatment. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 39(2).
2. Lindon, J. Psychoanalysis by telephone. In J.K. Aronson (Ed.). Use of the Telephone in Psychotherapy (pp. 3-13). Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson
3. Schaffer, S. Legal and ethical issues. In J.K. Aronson (Ed.). Use of the Telephone in Psychotherapy (pp. 442-457). Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
We can work with individuals and with couples. Husbands and wives (or any two people, i.e., Mothers/Daughters, Fathers/Sons, etc.) who wish to meet simultaneously in session may choose to use a speaker phone, or separate extensions, or in some cases, may arrange for three-way calling. This last option is especially useful for marriage counseling cases in which one spouse travels a great deal. It is not unusual for us to conduct sessions with couples where the therapist, husband, and wife are in three separate time zones.
Yes. Persons who experience hallucinations or psychosis or whose primary complaint is a serious addiction to drugs or alcohol, or who have persistent and serious thoughts about harming themselves or others should seek local mental health assistance. In all other instances, your counselor can help you determine whether your problems can be managed safely and effectively via distance counseling. In most cases, they can, but we will provide you with an absolutely honest assessment in our initial, free, informational interview. We are committed to helping you receive the help you need regardless of who provides it. Please direct all other questions to your counselor in your initial, free, informational interview.