Quite an interesting first meeting with my Therapist.

by truthseekeriam 36 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  cofty

  Any unqualified person can dispense religious platitudes. A therapist is qualified and well paid to be far more insightful.

  I wish you well and hope you get all support you need but I would be very wary of this person.
• 

  adamah

  Unfortunately, therapists introducing religious thinking and spirituality is on the rise in a country where 75% of people claim a belief in God. It's not illegal (but it is unethical depending on your location).

  I'm thinking a diagnosis of "religious abuse" is likely more fitting for an ex-JW:

  http://www.examiner.com/article/therapist-project-offers-hope-for-religious-abuse-victims

  A recent episode of the Atheist Experience featured the ever-smiling co-host Tracie Harris provided an update on the trend of religious beliefs intruding into regular medical therapy, and "religious trauma syndrome" (the segment starts at the 3-minute mark, and RTS from leaving a cult starts at approx 12:00):

  http://blip.tv/the-atheist-experience-tv-show/atheist-experience-837-rob-poole-recap-6673691

  Adam
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I also told him I have absolutely no interest in religion period!

  That should have been enough to tell him not to introduce anything that betrays his feelings on religion: good, bad, or indifferent.

  I would have walked out and said "This is a bad fit." I think my therapist is into eastern religion. I say "I think" because it ain't about her religion when I go there.
• 

  scotoma

  I have never been to a psychotherapist or counselor, but I have watched the TV series "In Treatment".

  How do you pick a therapist?

  If the therapist is to much like you they won't be able to help you address the real conflicts in your life. They will have the same coping mechanisms and blind spots.

  If the therapist is opposite of you they will hate you and become sadistic and get some secret pleasure in creating discomfort for you

  If the therapist is simply not the kind of person you would take seriously they won't be engaging enough to put in a sincere effort.

  It seems that the ideal therapist would be somewhere in between a friend and someone who is indifferent.

  You end up switching therapists and you have to lay out a couple hundred dollars to get to know them as persons.

  It's as bad as courtship.

  If I needed a therapist I would want a free session where I could browse their professional library to see what books and therapies they reference.

  I would ask them which therapists they tend to model. Thank them for their time. Read a book or two by the therapist's favorite therapist.

  Nice thing about this method is your problem will probably be gone by the time you find your best therapist.
• 

  Simon

  A therapist should not be pushing their own beliefs, just helping you to understand and reconcile your own experiences and beliefs.

  Anyone pushing religious belief in an invisible super creature is instantly unqualified to dispatch advice and to really understand the personal challenges anyone faces in a meaningful way. Their solution is inevitably just to "trust", "pray" and "hope" more ... none are really likely to solve anyones real problems and can actively dissuade people from making important decisions in a timely manner.
• 

  steve2

  Of course, the luxury of being able to choose the "right" therapist is not one that all therapy-seekers can indulge in - especially in countries that are not so therapist-friendly. The availability of registered and qualified therapists is pretty limited in some parts of this lovely planet. And, of course, not all problems require therapists - that's a separate topic all by itself!

  In my view, there is nothing "wrong" - so to speak - with any of the variables mentioned above. They can be openly acknowledged and even "allowed for" in the orientation phase of therapy.

  As a registered clinical psychologist, trained in solution-focused and skills-based therapies, my most helpful approach is to blend openly validating the client's suffering and at the same time, gently pushing them to change behavior that is not helping them. Too much validation is not helpful as is too much pushing for change. A blend of the two is most helpful.

  The issue of therapists "sharing" there own views is a tricky one. I worry when I hear of therapists who stride into the therapy arrangement with their own views and opinions. In some instances I grant this may be important - especially when prospective clients ask direct questions. But generally therapists go easy on the opinions. I have worked successfully with a very wide range of clients over the years, including JWs who have known I am no longer in the organization. It simply was not an issue - I was able to validate their right to have their personal religious beliefs and focus on teaching a range of skills to problem-solve personal issues. What I thought about their religious affiliation was irrelevant.
• 

  truthseekeriam

  I'm taking lots of notes and continue to appreciate all of your comments.

  I did a quick search of the Therapist I visited and sure enough it did mention he can provide therapy within a faith based Chistian framework.

  After sharing some of your thoughts with my husband I really think I will keep searching. Thankfully our insurance covers quite a few in our area :)
• 

  rip van winkle

  There are a lot of wackadoodle therapists out there. A lot.

  There's one in my congregation. Of course, he was a therapist first and then became a witness. Obviously lacking critical thinking skills. A real creepy, creepy, creepy, guy. Sorta like a cross between Norman Bates and Sam Elliot. Freaky Friday every day of the week.

  Anyway,

  RUN, don't walk from the therapist pushing their own agenda ( ON YOUR FIRST VISIT!!!!) at your most vulnerable.
• 

  satinka

  Red flags are going up for me as well, like with rebel. It is indeed unethical to feed religious stuff to patients. In fact, whenever I shopped for a new therapist, I would ask, "Is this type of therapy religiously-based?" I interviewed them as they interviewed me.

  "Heavens no!" was the reply I got from the most recent therapist. "That would not be ethical!"

  My advise would be to distance yourself from any specific religion. If you feel you MUST have some religion, then do some church shopping. But, the way I see it, leaving the JWs and going right into another belief system would be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. It is most important for you to start exercising your own conscience instead of jumping on another religious bandwagon.

  "Religion is a snare and a racket" was not said in vain.

  satinka
• 

  Oubliette

  JWs are a dangerous religion, but what your therapist gave you isn't much better.

  You don't need to replace one form of religious manipulation with another.