Therapy and being a Christian

[Maharg]

I am going through a period of feeling upset at the moment and I am seeeking therapy to help e with this. Has anyone else done this - and how do you make sure it is consistent with your faith - how important is it that the other person is Christian, and how do you make sure you have the right person for you?

Therapy doesn't seem to feature in the Bible - and I want to get God's help with my problems. I think talking to someone would really help me, but i don't want to put it before prayer.

Any advice gratefully received

maharg

 

[JulesM]

Hi Maharg

I have had secular therapy and although I wasn't a christian at that time, there was nothing in it that would have sat uncomfortably with my faith. Currently though I have christian counselling, as some of my issues were God related. This works for me as we have lots of prayer time, and the HS is ever present to continue his healing and restoration in me.
Personally I think you need God involved in your therapy and your issues. You may just prefer to have friends pray with you and have therpay separate, but if you can make God the centre of your discussions (as in christian therapy) all the better.

Good luck.

 

[Rafael]

Another person full of the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus Christ would be the best place for Christian counsel, IMO.

Isa 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I see a secular shrink. However, like JulesM, there isn't anything that compromises my faith. I started seeing her before I was a Christian, and she's the first dr. that I've ever felt comfortable with. I believe God led me to this therapist even though it's not "Christian Therapy" that I'm receiving. The one I see isn't full of psychobabble. I've come a long way and have learned a lot about myself and then read the Bible or go to certain verses and it all seems to be coming together.

I think you'll just know if the therapist is the right one for you. Remember, just because they state their "Christian" therapists, doesn't always mean they are.

 

[rainbowprism]

If they make you feel better fine, but I disagree with any secular shrink who tells you that you 'need to forgive yourself' for whatever issue...that's God's job and you need to 'let Him forgive you and accept His grace'. Just MHO

 

[bliz]

I have worked with both. To my surprise, the therapist that was the very best for me was a non-Christian guy. Before then, I was pretty well convinced that I needed to talk only to Christian women.

If a therapist is good, they will help you sort out what is of value to you and help you function better, taking that into major consideration. That does not mean that they won't challenge you to discover how much you really believe what you say you believe! That's an important part of the process. Many of us are wedded to certain beliefs - I had a happy childhood. My Dad always loved me. - that sometimes turn out not to be so true. And others turn out to be very true.

Neither lable, Christian or Non-Christian guarantees you a good therapist or a good fit. Prayerfully keep an open mind and ask for God's leading. He will not leave you floundering with your decision.

 

[TheMainException]

I've done it, and although my therapist was a Christian, we hardly ever talked about God...so I don't think that it's terribly necessary...but it would be good if you could have a Christian counselor to help you...and don't forget, I'll be praying for you! With love, Lauren

 

[Maharg]

Thanks everyone. Saw my therapist for the second time today. Seem to be gettting on quite well and I think it is helping. I'm seeing a Christian counsellor tomorrow so I am going to compare the experience with the other counsellor and do what seems right. I'll let you know how I get on.

Maharg
xx

 

[daveleau]

Pro 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Pro 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

I would highly recommend a Christian counselor. It doesn't have to from someone that does it for a living. Most pastors are trained in counseling and there are many churches that have members schooled in this area as well. Secular therapists often rely on worldly ideology and can lead you in the wrong direction. They are also very quick to offer drugs as a treatment. I am not saying these drugs are not needed, but they are highly over-prescribed and they have heavy side-effects like lethargy and sexual side-effects, which can cause issues between you and your husband if you are married. Christian counselors often guide people toward better paths and have a Biblical basis.

I hope things make a turn for the better.
God bless,
Dave

 

[Maharg]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the advice. I am hoping to try and get a supportive relationship going with an elder from my church, another Christian who is a bit more secure in his/her faith than I am. I want to carry on with my counsellor, too, at the moment though. I'm hoping that the two things together will really help.

I have quite an anti-medication stance so I am unlikely ever to take anti-depressants or anything like that. My doctor prescribed some but I haven't been taking them as I'd rather deal with the cause of the depression than the symptoms.

I'm seeing a Christian counsellor this morning so I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.

Maharg

 

[Nazarite]

Hey,

I just happened to be browsing this section and thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I happen to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and I also happen to be a Christian. I would tend to agree with some of those who have already posted that might suggest a secular therapist. Depending upon your matter of concern, it may not matter whether your therapist is a Christian. One of the most important concerns is that you find someone with whom you feel comfortable / safe and one that values therapy as a collaborative process rather than something that is "done to you."

That being said, a therapist who understands you because he or she is a Christian is a tremendous benefit. I believe that at our very core it is life that we lack and therefore this abscence of true life can only be satisfied through the source of life. "And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst'" (John 6:35). Obviously the core problem for each of us is a spiritual one.

I recognize that in order to address the spiritual issues it is often necessary to work from the outside to the inside; like concentric circles on a target moving from ring to ring until we reach the "bullseye." Jesus often worked in such a way. He recognized the other needs that people had (physical, emotional, social, and economic) and he addressed them first as a sign of empathy before going to the heart of the matter, "WE LACK LIFE."

I also recognize that well meaning people have neglected to follow this example. Some religious folks have scoffed at the therapeutic community that can often be guilty of treating only those needs which are seen (i.e. symptoms). That is a legitimate complaint. However, I also recognize the hypocrisy that can be evident in those same religious types who only want to talk about spritual problems that exist within us while neglecting obvious needs like the physical, social, emotional, and economic ones mentioned earlier.

Basically, look for someone who will encourage a treatment process that will offer clinical insight into stated problems who is credible and will give references. They should be willing to discuss how they were trained and be willing to answer any questions about the process in general. The best case scenario will include a person who balances their work with Biblical insight so that you can better utilize God's inspired word to deal with life's most challenging problems with real and practical strategies.

Eric