Anthony R. De Orio, D. Min., M. S.
Biography
Dr. De Orio is a Michigan Limited License Psychologist (A limited license permits practice under the supervision of a Michigan licensed psychologist.)
Dr. De Orio completed a clinical internship at Huron Valley Center, a maximum-security psychiatric prison hospital, and treats anger and rage behaviors. He has fostered healing among clergymen and women through clinical skill, extensive ministry and ecclesiastical experience. He has helped people achieve wholeness who were struggling with marital difficulties, male sexual abuse, substance and sexual addictions. He has treated various age populations including high school students, young adults and the elderly. He has been a psychology adjunct faculty at Madonna University. He and his wife have three children.
Excerpts from an Interview
Q. Dr. De Orio, how do you find meaning in your work as a psychologist?
A. I find meaning as a psychologist by understanding each person and his/her story as a sacred mystery. Each person is unique. Through a lens of unconditional love, I am able to enter into a person’s joys, sorrows and traumas. As I empathize and learn from each person, I am able to use myself, my heart and my gifts to create a possibility of transformation for that person. What a wondrous profession to be a part of.
Q. Where do you find the strength to deal with other people's pain and suffering you encounter daily?
A. I find strength through consistent physical exercise, reading and reflection, time to play and have fun, meet with good friends to talk, unburden and enjoy. In addition, prayer is a great self-soother!
Q. How do you integrate the science of psychology with Christian values as a therapist at the Family Counseling Center?
A. Integration is a difficult word to unpack and illustrate between two great systems – Christianity and Science. The author of both systems is the same! Perhaps it is better for me to think in terms of mutual enlightenment with these two systems. Christianity gives the basis for values. Christianity (and its values) yields the great why and wherefore of humanity and the world. What does this mean?
- God is the cause of all causes and the end of all ends. God is good; all that he has created including humanity, sexuality, matter etc, are good. We come from a living personal God and we will end in him. This living God is for humanity.
- I am able to live with meaning, responsibility and involvement in the world.
- I can sustain new awareness, motivations, attitudes, actions, and aims.
- Specific values include, ensure respect for human dignity even to the point of loving one’s enemies, freedom against all oppression, justice against all injustice, struggle against selfishness and peace against all strife.
These values find their origin and life in the Spirit of the living God in Christ.
With these values defined and in mind I start with my science of psychology with each patient and proceed to help, heal, mend and inform. Both domains of psychology and religion can become a great source of discernment and transformation for both patient and therapist alike.
Q. What do you say to clients who are not Christian who seek services from you?
A. Since I start with my science of psychology with each patient this is not a question that concerns me. Where religion needs to be dealt with specifically for the patient then therapy incorporates this need.