Do you talk about religion in therapy?

coolibrarian · Apr 28, 2019, 09:58 AM

My T and I both converted to Christianity from Judaism. We did this at different times; I didn't know she was doing this. We were both raised in non-religious, but culturally-rich families. In therapy, we sometimes talk about faith, belief, and prayer.

healinginprogress · Apr 28, 2019, 11:57 AM

Only in passing. It's not important in my day to day life.

Apr 28, 2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggy momma

As many of you know, my T is also a Catholic priest. He teaches at the Catholic university that I go to, and I grew up Catholic. When I moved here 16 years ago he was also in a parish and I met him at church.

I've always made it a point though not to talk about religion with him. He says mass on campus once a week and I go, but that's about it. I just feel like religion is separate from therapy and I should keep them separate.

The new psychologist I'm seeing this summer while regular T is away works out of a Christian agency. When I met with him for the first time, at the end he asked if he could pray for me. I said yes, thinking he'd go home and say his bedtime prayers and toss my name in there. But nope. He started praying over me right then and there. It felt weird, but I figured for $200 an hour I'd take all the help I can get.

But...I've been struggling with my faith a lot lately and I know regular T (well both actually) believes very strongly in the integration of faith and psychology - that the two cannot be separated. So, I asked him if when he comes back in September if we can do some work around spirituality and faith.

Is that weird? Does anyone else have a Christian counsellor that they talk God with? I told him I'm actually really uncomfortable talking about religion with him, but since it's such a huge part of who I am, I don't see how I can leave it out anymore...

I respect everyone's religious beliefs, and would not mind discussing anything like that in therapy if it came up. I would not like a T to "pray over me", but would be ok if they wanted to add me to their "prayer list". I would find it very strange and uncomfortable because I do not personally practice any religion.

By the way. If you are looking for some excellent reading in the area of Christian and psychological ties, read Soul-Making by Allen Jones. Just absolutely amazing how he really takes the "religion" out of the picture, focuses on the deep spiritual aspects of Christianity (with a focus on the Desert Traditions) and brings the psychology of the human into the picture.

My favorite quote from the book, and it really crosses my mind often in my therapy environment:

"It is, perhaps, in the use and understanding of silence that the psychoanalytic and desert traditions are alike. Silence involves a kind of breakdown; an annihilation for the sake of reorganizing the way we perceive ourselves and the world. Silence, in the end, can become a healing and comfortable experience."

Anne2.0 · Apr 29, 2019, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggy momma

Is that weird? Does anyone else have a Christian counsellor that they talk God with? I told him I'm actually really uncomfortable talking about religion with him, but since it's such a huge part of who I am, I don't see how I can leave it out anymore...

I don't think it's weird at all, even though I am not a Christian. I have spoken about religion in my therapy, even though my T is not of the same faith. I have been harmed by religious people and in religious contexts and needed a safe place to talk about that. I have also studied a little Buddhism and have found incorporating these ideas into my therapy useful. I'm not very clear on the line between spirituality and religion, but my T's have welcomed discussion of all these things as obviously they are a part of who we are as humans. I'm sure that issues don't arise for everyone as they have for me, but I think considering yourself in relationship to faith and spirtuality is a worthwhile inquiry in therapy.

Rive. · Apr 29, 2019, 06:44 AM

No, I don't talk about religion in therapy. Simply because it is not relevant to me.

IF it were, by all means I would bring it up.

I would be thrown though by T praying right then and there. I would prefer them to do therapy with me in session & pray outside of session if they were so inclined. I don't want to pay for them to 'pray' for me in session. Seems a waste of therapy time to me.

Apr 29, 2019, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne2.0

I don't think it's weird at all, even though I am not a Christian. I have spoken about religion in my therapy, even though my T is not of the same faith. I have been harmed by religious people and in religious contexts and needed a safe place to talk about that. I have also studied a little Buddhism and have found incorporating these ideas into my therapy useful. I'm not very clear on the line between spirituality and religion, but my T's have welcomed discussion of all these things as obviously they are a part of who we are as humans. I'm sure that issues don't arise for everyone as they have for me, but I think considering yourself in relationship to faith and spirtuality is a worthwhile inquiry in therapy.

I don't know where the quote originates, but
"Religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell. Spiritually is for those who have been there."

Anne2.0 · Apr 29, 2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo1934

I don't know where the quote originates, but
"Religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell. Spiritually is for those who have been there."

That I like a lot. Clear bright line about the difference. Thank you

ArtleyWilkins · Apr 29, 2019, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne2.0

That I like a lot. Clear bright line about the difference. Thank you

But a bit black and white . . . (but I won't get into it as that would probably be against PC guidelines).

May 01, 2019, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starry_Night

Yes, we do. Therapist and I are both strong Christians we we talk about those things often.

Likewise... Be blessed!

nottrustin · May 02, 2019, 12:20 PM

At my appointment this week I paid attention to how often even slightly brought aspects of our faith onto our conversation. Our faith is brought into our appointments a lot. Not necessarily is it a direct discussion. But it since it is a large part of my life and I make general comments she responds likewise.

doyoutrustme · May 02, 2019, 07:39 PM

I seek out a well qualified individual and then look that they have an understanding of Judaism, preferably Jewish. I don’t like having to explain things and being Jewish is a big part of my life.

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Do you talk about religion in therapy?

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