[Martina]

I have to switch providers because of insurance, and there is only one psychiatrist I am allowed to see now (I'm in a small town). In his yellow page ad, it says "Compassionate Christian Mental Healthcare." That's great....unless you're not Christian. I am basically Atheist. I respect everyone's beliefs, but I'm just afraid I may have religion shoved down my throat again.

I sent him an email (he has his email in the yellow page ad) to ask just how much religion gets into his practice. But even if he responds well....what would you think? Would someone who advertises his Christianity be able to treat an Atheist without religion getting in the way?

He will be doing medication management only, I'll see someone else for therapy. Although I'm sure there will be a little bit of talking.

I guess I have no choice since he's the only one in-network...I was just curious what you think.

[bachir]

just real quick here. my very first therapist was a christian therapist and he never even tried to push his values or beliefs on me. i hope your search goes well. take care

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by Martina

I respect everyone's beliefs, but I'm just afraid I may have religion shoved down my throat again.

Would someone who advertises his Christianity be able to treat an Atheist without religion getting in the way?

Yes, I personally believe that this T will be able to see you as a patient and help you from a medical stand point with out his religious views getting in the way... him advertising that he is a Christian is there for those that want a Christian therapist.

Many people see Christian T with out ever knowing - You are in Safe Hands.

[perpetuallysad]

Martina, I had a similar experience, except with a t instead. She specifically only does "Christ based counseling" and was not open to therapy that didn't center on Christianity. It was very upsetting and frustrating to me. I also live in a small town and this has limited my ability to have any therapy to a 30 min session once a month with a pdoc in another town. I am also an atheist and was very uncomfortable with the situation. I hope he's more open like these other posts have suggested. Good luck.

[Yoda]

One of my therapist in a group therapy program kept telling me I needed to rely on god and my problems would be solved. I was polite initially and told her I was agnostic but thanks for the idea. But she was adamant that god was what I needed so then I said god is magical thinking and when she kept on and on I told her to keep her god delusion to herself.

I don't care if somebody else believes in a god but when they try to force me to believe as they do it annoys me. In this case my therapy was negatively impacted by my therapist's wish for me to believe what she believed.

I know not all Christians are like that though. My son saw a Pdoc for several years that I knew personally. We had gone to college together and attended the same church (where I was baptized) and we were casual friends. He had a bible on his desk and I dreaded him asking me if I still went to church but he never discussed religion with me or my son. I think by having the bible visible on his desk his clients would know what he believed and they could discuss spiritual things if they wished.

I hope your experience is more like the latter.

Let us know how it goes.

[Alexandria04]

I have to agree that he probably advertises as a Christian for those that want to work with someone that is, but it shouldn't keep him from giving you the help, support, encouragement etc. that you need just because you are not a Christian. I certainly hope this is the case anyway and that you can see him without any problems. I have actually been trying to figure out whether my T is a Christian or not, she gave me a really good article called "Exposing the myth that Christians shouldn't have mental health problems" but she's also talked about evolution and was asking about my Animals and Religion project for school (that was about Cherokee religion) and seemed pretty open and accepting about that. I almost want to ask her, but I don't have the guts Anyway, that is neither here nor there, I think he will see you and be able to help you. Let us know!

[(JD)]

I don't think this will be a problem for medication management. Generally a therapist advertises this way because of the type of therapy they have been trained in, and use. Many Christian psychologists have a wide variety of therapeutic measures they can utilize, and while they may access God on your behalf, are fully capable of helping without your exact faith in God. The main issue I would see is if a patient could believe anything a Christian doctor says, if one were an atheist and the therapist advertised his/her religious belief system. I agree that there are many ChristiN doctors that only let you know if you ask, or if it is relative to a Strong belief he/she has. (such as a reason not to suicide).

None of that seems relevant in your case. TC

[splitimage]

I really hope it works out and that he's professional enough not to push his beliefs on you. As other's have said it's most likely he says it in order to attract clients who are looking for someone that can make Christianity part of their therapy. To me it's not different than therapists who advertise themselves as LGBTQ friendly.

Good luck.

--splitimage

[Scolaiocht]

I've noticed one of the reasons some will advertise themselves is to give those who are of Christian faith more of a connection, not so much push away those who aren't of the Christian faith. (As others have said, as I go back and re-read posts )

I would say give him a chance and see how he handles therapy. If you feel he's pushing beliefs on you, then staying with him may not be a viable option.

[Amazonmom]

Not all Christians behave in a boorish fashion. Some of us are actually downright pleasant. It will probably work out okay- the doc is probably not going to be able to keep contracts with insurance companies if he was pushing religion on the clients.

Some Christian medical professionals advertise that way because there are Christians who prefer to be treated by someone who shares their beliefs. Doesn't mean much beyond that.

[buttrfli42481]

Are you not allowed to go out of your town for help? My entire treatment team is in different cities, the farthest I drive is 40mins. If he truely respects his patients, he wouldn't bring religion up unless they did. I know that at least one of my Ts are Christian, and I like that. She knows that I am a Christian, but never tries to force her views on me. If he tries to talk religion to you, you have every right to say you do not believe that way and that you would appreciate it if he wouldn't talk about it anymore. Everyone has a right to their opinions and also has the right to disagree with others. That is part of being an American. Be greatful you don't live in a country that "requires" you to be a certain religion. I hope you are able to get the help you need from someone who is willing to help regardless of religous beliefs.

My first T was from a catholic group but she was unpleasant for different reasons.

[sunrise]

Martina, I'd be worried too if the doc advertises himself as a Christian, as that seems a strange thing to put in an ad. (It's not like his profession is Pastoral Counselor.) Since he put it out there like that, I think it is only natural he will get questions on it. I think sending him an email was a really good idea. Then you can know in advance how much his religion enters his practice, and make your decision. I would think that as a trained practitioner, he would know how to keep his religious beliefs from impinging on his work. I think it will probably be all right. My GP is Christian and went to a fundamentalist Christian college. She is warm, funny, compassionate, and a good listener. I couldn't ask for more. She has never once brought up her religion or asked about mine.

[Sameera]

Not to say that anyone is wrong for believing in religion but why is he advertising it? As a part of the ethical guidelines set out for mental health care professionals, they aren't supposed to allow their religion or other beliefs to influence their therapy work.

Sure, I would imagine that there are people who would feel better about seeing a therapist who believes in the same faith that they do. I just have no idea how he might have missed that particular APA guideline.

Anyway, as long as he doesn't try to push religion onto you then things should be fine. If he does bring it up then just tell him that you aren't religious and that you don't feel comfortable with such a topic. He should be able to offer treatment just fine without bringing up personal beliefs.

[AkAngel]

He will gain more business than he loses as a result and so it's a net gain to advertise yourself as a Christian in the United States. I suspect he would consider it somewhat inappropriate if he was practicing in a Muslim country.

[Martina]

The closest bigger town is 75 miles away across a mountain. That won't work.

There was ONE other psychiatrist on the list.....but he was a child psychiatrist, who is actually also a child medical MD that works at the children's clinic and I just saw him for my daughter for some potty issues a while ago and I was not impressed with him as a doctor. Just didn't like him.

Or I can stay with my current psych nurse and pay about 5 times as much, since she's out-of-network. But then I don't have to switch. But we are so broke, nearly bankrupt. Paying extra seems so wrong.

They won't even let me see a family practice doctor for the meds. All mental health services have to be pre-approved, and they will ONLY let you see a psychiatrist.

I HATE INSURANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[deliquesce]

did he respond to your email?

my pdoc and therapist both work at a christian private mental health hospital. neither of them have let their beliefs interfere with my therapy and medication management.

[Sameera]

I just looked over the guidelines again. Yeah, it does say that they can express their belief as long as it does not interfere or take precedent over their ethics, standards of practice and so on.

In short, they are expected to keep religion out of it unless it is brought up by the patient, or it is clear that it will be a part of the treatment plan (if the patient agrees). They also can't let any belief in substitution for empirical evidence/research, and well the list goes on.

In short, they can advertise and practice within a particular religion, just as long as they are following all of the other ethical concerns along the way. It is only preferred that they be religion neutral.

The one guideline that I did find that forbade the practitioner from dealing in their own religion was if they are employed by certain groups, like specific governments or certain hospitals. But that is a rule of those particular groups.

@AkAngel

I understand the reason for advertising as a Christian in the US. It would work in quite a few countries. There are however ethical considerations to these things, in the US especially. In this case it is OK by what I could find. There are however some laws that govern what sort of advertising a psychologist/psychiatrist can do. I was just questioning if this fell in line with those. It seems that it does.

Anyway, my curiosity is sated. I was a bit off about the specifics of the rules but that happens.

@Martina

You can go to this guy, he can't try to get you involved with religion if you don't want to. Just tell him up front about your views and that should be the end of it. He should be capable of providing just as effective treatment without religion entering into it.

Good luck.

[possum220]

Yeah it seems kind of weird.

Having said that, whatever belief system a therapist has shouldn't impact on their ability to give therapy. Check out their qualifications. Meet them and see if you feel comfortable with them as this is the basis of good communication and good therapy.

I have a few differences of opinion with my T but its no big deal. He is a competent, caring and capable person. We accept each other.

So go and chat, like you would with any T and decide from there.

Hope it goes well.

[deliquesce]

good advice, possum!!!

if it doesnt work out, you dont have to see this pdoc forever. and at least you'll know that you tried the more affordable option.

[Typo]

My T advertises as a Christian T, I found that a bit anxiety inducing before I saw her for the first time, (since I"m not of the Christian faith) But she has never tried to push her faith on me, and she is okay with mine and respects my beliefs. I too live in a small area, and my options are limited, and in fact every T on my insurance adveritses as a Christian T, of course I"m really use to this since I live in a small Southren rural area and it's the norm around here. Everyone advertises that they are Christian, what a Christian grocery store does I'm not quite certain, but we do have one of those here...seemed the same as every other grocery store I've been in...and everyone was nice and friendly like every other grocery store I've been too. (my point being, it doesn't change the function of what a grocery store or Pdoc does, it just lets others of the same faith know it's around and it's a place they can go to discuss conflicts with a Christian outlook if they ask for it)

I don't think the Pdoc will give you any trouble, espcially since you are going to see him just for medication management, I think someone else said, they advertise that way not to turn people of diffrent faiths away but to let others of the same faith know they are around.

Best Wishes
Typo

If I wanted a Christian professional, I would be inclined to ask why bother since at least theoretically I can talk to the head Christians any time I want to now.

[pachyderm]

How many T's or psychiatrists have you seen who advertise themselves as being atheists?

[Rhapsody]

I personally think to much is being read into this... he advertised as he did to let people that want a "christian only therapist" know that he is one... he is not going to push his personal beliefs onto his clients.

I do not push my beliefs onto others, but I do advertise on my shirt and my car.

[birdcrazy]

I had a problem with this. I had a tdoc for the longest time and he finally brought up religion. I said I wasn't religious anymore, and he proceeded to try to impose his views on me. Stuff like that is just unprofessional.