Ep. 420 - When Validation Isn't Love: An Orthodox Psychologist on Truth and Healing with Dr. Anastasia Stewart

In this episode, Buck sits down with Dr. Anastasia Stewart, an Orthodox Christian psychologist and trauma specialist, to explore the relationship between modern psychology and the healing tradition of the Orthodox Church. Together they discuss where psychology contains genuine insights—and where it falls short without Christ. Drawing on decades of experience treating trauma, PTSD, women's mental health, and veterans, Dr. Stewart explains why empathy without truth can become enabling, why validation isn't always loving, and why genuine healing requires both compassion and repentance. The conversation explores the limits of therapeutic culture, the role of clergy and clinicians in caring for the whole person, spiritual warfare, trauma, externalizing responsibility, and the Orthodox understanding of becoming whole through Christ. Whether you're a clinician, a priest, or simply someone seeking healing, this conversation offers a thoughtful and deeply Orthodox vision of the human person and the path toward true restoration. Topics include: * Orthodoxy and modern psychology * Why validation isn't always love * Trauma, PTSD, and the healing of the soul * The limits of secular therapy * Spiritual warfare and psychological suffering * The role of clergy and clinicians About Dr. Anastasia Stewart Dr. Anastasia Stewart is an Orthodox Christian psychologist specializing in trauma, PTSD, women's mental health, and evidence-based clinical treatment. She earned dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Communication Studies from UCLA before completing her Ph.D. in Psychology at Washington State University. Her clinical training includes Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the National Center for PTSD. During her career with the VA, she helped develop one of the nation's early Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programs, became the first psychologist embedded in a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program, and developed an interprofessional postdoctoral fellowship program. She later founded Triangle Services Consulting, where she continues her clinical work, consultation, and professional mentoring while pioneering an approach that thoughtfully integrates Orthodox Christian anthropology with contemporary psychological practice.   If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend.   Your support helps us continue exploring faith, culture, and the pursuit of truth through conversations with Orthodox clergy, scholars, clinicians, and cultural commentators. www.patreon.com/counterflow Sponsor: Podsworth App: https://podsworth.com  Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order! Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast! Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: https://youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA  Full Ad Read AFTER processing: https://youtu.be/J6trRTgmpwE Visit my website: https://www.counterflowpodcast.com  Leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! Thanks!