Theresa Burke – Healing every heart

Theresa Burke, PhD, is the Founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, an international outreach for help and healing after abortion.

We discuss her clinical experience of being drawn to abortion recovery through leading a therapy group for women with eating disorders. And she shares the many mental health challenges abortion trauma brings to those who experience it.

Burke notes that the isolation of Covid-19 led to many older women to seek healing from a past abortion. And now, in a post-Roe world, even more women are coming forward.

She says, “When the conscience is aborted, the truth does get distorted.” And she outlines how abortion is extreme abandonment, rather than empowerment.

Restoring connection and reconciling grief are keys to healing and recovery.

From her bio:

Theresa Burke, Ph.D., NCP, LPC, BCCP, DABFC, DAPA

Dr. Theresa Burke is the Founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, offering a unique sensory based treatment which integrates emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions. Since 1993, the Rachel’s Vineyard model has spread to 49 states and is in over 70 countries. The Rachel’s Vineyard retreat is currently offered in 22 languages, with other translations in progress. Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life/Gospel of Life Ministries.

Her books include Forbidden Grief – The Unspoken Pain of Abortion with David C. Reardon (Acorn Books).

Theresa holds an undergraduate degree in English Communications with a concentration in social work. Theresa went on to Immaculata University to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. She is a Nationally Certified Psychologist, a Certified Diplomat of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Clinical Psychotherapist, and a Diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Counselors. She holds membership in the Society for Catholic Social Scientists and the American Association of Christian Counselors. Theresa is the proud mother of five children.