By Jim Otremba
Catholic therapist and coach Jim Otremba is inviting participants to a transformative online retreat designed to help Catholics take authority over anxiety and negative stress. The virtual experience, titled, “Finding Peace in Christ: A Catholic virtual retreat for stress and anxiety” kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 28 and runs for four consecutive Sundays on Zoom.
“Growing up in rural Minnesota, I saw firsthand the scarcity of solid, Catholic-based mental health resources,” Otremba recalled. “This experience deeply informs my desire to offer these virtual retreats and classes. Anxiety disorders are incredibly prevalent, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives.”
Otremba navigated his own intense anxiety after experiencing miscarriages over two decades ago and says he often wished for the kind of support and information this retreat will provide.
“My passion is to empower people to overcome negative stress and anxiety using research-based interventions that are fully aligned with our Catholic faith, all from the comfort of their homes,” he said.
Rooted in both Catholic faith and modern neuroscience, the retreat blends spiritual formation, Scripture-based mindset training and brain science to create a holistic pathway to emotional wellness. Each hour-long session includes 45 minutes of teaching and 15 minutes of live Q&A with Otremba.
“The Church teaches us that healing happens when we invite Christ into the wounded places,” Otremba said. “This retreat isn’t just about coping. It’s about finding God’s peace in our minds and hearts.”
Registrants will learn to recognize anxiety’s impact, rewire responses through prayer and science-backed techniques and cultivate daily rhythms that support a resilient mindset. Early registrants (before Sept. 15) receive free access to retreat recordings and follow-up emails to help deepen the experience beyond the four weeks.
“My deepest hope is that participants will discover a profound new way of being in our stress-saturated world,” he said. “By engaging with the material and implementing the strategies we discuss, we can truly embody the ‘peace which surpasses all understanding.’”
Otremba plans to offer a series of virtual retreats including one on Catholic parenting slated for October.
“Having been a part-time stay-at-home dad since 1999, with three adult children on earth and seven children in heaven through miscarriages, I understand the unique joys and challenges of Catholic family life. I’ve been blessed to work with hundreds of families throughout my career, and I’m eager to empower as many Catholic parents as possible through this future retreat.”
Otremba, a licensed therapist and owner of The Center for Family Counseling in St. Cloud, has been featured on Relevant Radio and EWTN. He brings decades of experience integrating Catholic spirituality with psychological healing.
“If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by stress or consumed by anxiety, this retreat is for you. The inspiration for these classes came directly from the Lord during my private prayer time, and I am truly eager to witness how the Holy Spirit uses them to bring abundant healing, profound peace, and resurrection power into the lives of all who attend. Join us and experience this transformative journey!”
For more information about The Center for Family Counseling visit www.thecenterforfamilycounseling.com.