In this live episode of the Being Human podcast, Dr Greg Bottaro reflects on his Australian speaking tour and highlights Shawn van der Linden’s role in shaping and hosting the national program across multiple cities. Shawn appears as a featured guest in conversation with Dr Bottaro and Sr Katherine Stone (Missionaries of God’s Love), offering an on the ground perspective on the pastoral and cultural realities of Catholic mental health work in Australia.
Across the discussion, Shawn brings his clinical and pastoral experience into a clear vision of accompaniment that integrates psychological depth with Catholic faith, without reducing either. He speaks candidly about the challenges many Australians face in naming faith within therapeutic spaces, and the cost of having to self censor spiritual language in moments where it is most needed. He also shares how the Raphael Network has grown into a significant point of connection for Catholic mental health professionals who are hungry for integration, community, and a more faithful standard of care.
The conversation moves from cultural secularism to practical healing, emphasizing relationship as the primary vehicle of transformation. Shawn’s comments highlight identity as beloved son or daughter, trust as the antidote to anxiety, and the value of parts work as a compassionate and clinically grounded way of approaching shame, addiction, and interior conflict. His contribution also reinforces the need for formation and support for those who accompany others, especially in environments where faith is treated as unwelcome or irrelevant.
This episode was recorded live in Canberra and features Shawn as CatholicPsych Institute’s International Programs Director, speaking into the intersection of faith, psychology, and the concrete reality of pastoral care in Australia.
Originally released on the Being Human podcast by the CatholicPsych Institute.