Wednesday
CounselingIs professional counseling inconsistent with religious belief?
Faith, Reason, and Care of the Soul
by Martin Lynch
By Martin Lynch
I read something in the news the other day that disturbed me pretty profoundly. It was a brief report on MSNBC.com summarizing a recent study led by a team from Baylor University and published in the journal, Mental Health, Religion, and Culture.
The study found that 32% of Christian Church members who approached their pastor for help with a mental health issue were told they did not have a mental illness. Notably, these were people who had already been diagnosed by a licensed practitioner as having a serious disorder, such as depression or schizophrenia. The reason this disturbs me is that when pastors (or celebrities) suggest that mental illness is not ‘real’ (for now, let’s agree that ‘real’ means ‘worthy of attention’) people suffer – for example, mothers with post partum depression go untreated, – and it’s not clear who if anyone benefits in the end.
For over a century the human soul (psyche in classical terms) has been the object of turf wars between the religious clergy and practitioners of the various mental health professions (chiefly psychiatry and psychology), with each side on occasion denouncing the other as frauds and charlatans. Those who represent the religious establishment have sometimes viewed the emerging mental health professions as a threat, both to the faith of their flock and to the practice of pastoral care. In part this is understandable, given that psychological theory from Freud onward has often defined itself in opposition to religious belief, claiming that the latter is ‘backward,’ ‘neurotic,’ and – here’s the deadliest and at the same time least defensible claim – ‘unscientific.’ In the early years, especially, the new ‘doctors of the soul’ often spoke about their theories with a dogmatism that rivaled that of their most fundamentalist religious counterparts. Many were quite articulate about seeing psychotherapy as taking the place of the confessional. (One of Freud’s patients quipped that the new ‘talking cure’ was in the hands of the therapist what confession had been in the hands of the Catholic clergy.)
In this light, it perhaps comes as no surprise that some among the clergy are less than enthusiastic about sending their parishioners to nonbelievers for therapy.
So here’s the problem with all of this, as I see it: there is no irreconcilable difference between religion and psychology, between religion and therapy.
At an intellectual level, the problems that have historically divided religious and mental health practitioners have to do with one’s anthropological starting point: what does it mean to be human? Are we body, mind (soul), spirit? Which of these, ultimately, is ‘real’ (again, ‘worthy of attention’)?
At an emotional level, it’s all about protecting one’s ‘turf’ (the care of souls) and one’s truth-claims (the soul is eternal versus the soul is an epiphenomenon).
In point of fact, however, the dichotomy is a false one. Psychologists who state that religion is an irrelevant illusion or, worse, a harmful delusion may be speaking accurately when referring to specific cases they have seen in their clinics. But they step outside the bounds of scientific rigor when they argue from the specific to the general, and imply, as one of my psychology professors did many years ago, that there is no God, and therefore those who act as if there were are psychologically unbalanced. (The problem with this claim is that science cannot either prove or disprove the existence of God.)
But the days when such remarks could be made in the classroom unchallenged are largely over, and not only for reasons of political correctness in a litigious society. This is, as we say in the business, an empirical question, but I am quite certain that many mental health professionals would self-identify (though perhaps not to their colleagues, but one step at a time) as religious believers, perhaps even regular participants at religious services. Indeed, studies are being conducted and books are being written and college courses are being taught about the many fruitful intersections between religion and psychology. Scientific psychology no longer denies the (what to many was self-evident) importance of the religious dimension in human life. At the same time, many religious leaders and religious bodies openly recognize the reality of emotional distress and the importance of treating it by those properly trained. (The question of whether mental illness itself is ‘real’ or ‘constructed’ goes beyond the scope of these initial remarks, but again, let’s agree that ‘real’ means ‘worthy of attention.’) In any case, many of those sitting in the pews remain untouched by the turf wars of their elders and continue to frequent both the confessional and the therapist’s couch, making their own implicit decision about the anthropology of human nature.
What do you think? Are you as energized by this issue as I am? Are religion and therapy inherently at odds with each other? What if anything are we in the mental health professions doing wrong that we still engender such fear and mistrust by some in the religious community?
Post Tags: Counseling, mental illness, religion
Nov 10, 2008
Reply
A predisposition to clinical depression runs throughout my family (as does a deep commitment to personal spirituality, though I will refrain from intimating there is a direct correlation!…), so this topic “energizes” or “ignites” me, as well.
Sadly, while medical science recently has come to acknowledge (if not understand) the positive role prayer and spirituality play in a person’s health and recovery from illness (doctors in most universities are now at least exposed to such concepts); while counselors and psychiatrists are now studying the interaction between spirituality and mental health; and while ministers in many faith communities are encouraged to study mental health counseling techniques (my previous pastor had his MS in Counseling), many mental health professionals and clergy still look upon each other with some suspicion, if not outright contempt.
It has been my personal experience that when I’ve mentioned my personal devotions to my counselor, though there has been no overt verbal reaction, I’ve been met with a slightly bemused look. And when I’ve talked of having gone for counseling to members of my faith community, I’ve been met with somewhat startled expressions.
Over a span of 25 years, I watched my maternal grandmother retreat from life and happiness, due to clinical depression. Her sister (spouse of a clergyman) insisted that if her religious life were in order, she would not be depressed. So, Grandma prayed and didn’t seek professional help (imagine the impact of this action: her prayers apparently were not answered, as her condition did not improve, so guilt and loss of trust heaped on top of the resident depression, worsening the situation!). When she finally ended up in a long-term care facility, the staff immediately diagnosed the problem and prescribed antidepressants; the improvement was marked. She regained much of her lost memory, once again resumed caring for the wellbeing of others, and in general, returned to her normally outgoing personality. How tragic, I think, that she lost at least 15 years of enjoyment in life due to this ongoing conflict between religion and medical science.
I find it both interesting and disturbing that most religions certainly would not discourage members from seeking medical attention for cancer or diabetes or heart disease nor would they send the members to the Pastor or church leadership for assistance, but they do not view mental disease in the same light. It seems to me that those with a religious bent should be most willing to accept the body/mind/spirit connection and should be able to see that when one third (or in the case of depression, two thirds–both body and mind are adversely affected) is in a state of “dis-ease,” the whole person suffers.
It is time that both camps acknowledged their disagreements, assumed a stance of live and let live, and then also acknowledged their mutual benefits to their clients. It would be refreshing to find a counselor (whether of religious turn of mind or not) who was willing to direct her counselee (who is of a religious persuasion) to his church and/or his pastor for help and support where appropriate; and it would be equally refreshing to encounter a pastor who when confronted with an emotionally disturbed individual who clearly needed more than he had to offer would refer him to a professional.
Dec 3, 2008
Reply
Crys – Thanks so much for your comment! Hearing a personal perspective makes the issues come to life. I also would love to see more collaboration and communication among professionals who represent the religious and mental health communities.
Mar 23, 2009
Reply
Check out the following resources for more information re your topic:
1. The American Association for Christian Counseling
2. The Christian Association of Psychological Studies
3. Focus on the Family
(Each of the above organizations have conferences, journals, newsletters and resources available.)
4. The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities ( This site will lead you to at least four doctoral programs and about 45 master’s degree programs that overtly address issues involved in integrating psychology and the Christian Faith.
Aug 30, 2009
Reply
Nice write up…usually I never reply to these thing but this time I will,Thanks for the great info.
Dec 22, 2009
Reply
<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { color: #0000ff; so-language: zxx } –>
I love the personal incite, Crys. I cannot relate to this issue through personal experience like you, but nonetheless it frustrates me to no end to see that this is a real life issue that many people deal with. The extremes from both ends are as bad as each other. I would have thought that this should be a prerequisite for a clergy man or a psychologist. I come from a religious background, but have recently become fascinated by psychology in my university studies. I believe that those who do follow a faith can also gain relief from well practiced psychotherapy as I have found in the works of Dr. Prout. This professor does a great job at analyzing psychotherapy for the benefit of many individuals with a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy. This is very suitable to those who are believers. You may find a lot of usefully publications, at http://http://www.mauricefprout.com
Dec 29, 2009
Reply
<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { color: #0000ff; so-language: zxx } –>
I love the personal incite, Crys. I cannot relate to this issue through personal experience like you, but nonetheless it frustrates me to no end to see that this is a real life issue that many people deal with. The extremes from both ends are as bad as each other. Like so many things there needs to be some common ground and an understanding of one another perspective to guide them through a tough period. I believe that those who do follow a faith can also gain relief from well practiced psychotherapy as I have found in the works of Dr. Prout. This professor does a great job at analyzing psychotherapy for the benefit of many individuals with a focus on cognitive behavioral therapy. This is very suitable to those who are believers. You may find a lot of usefully publications, at http://http://www.mauricefprout.com
Mar 25, 2010
Reply
There is no conflict between counseling and faith or spirituality, its the middle men that make the problem.
Jun 2, 2010
Reply
You may want to take a look at some of the addiction literature like the blue book. It has some interesting stories about how doctors would have no answer to addiction, but the combination of group therapy and find a higher power could cure these individuals when modern medicine had failed. Not saying that your wrong, but doctors like to use their drugs first that was what they are taught. Pastors like to try their tactics of spirituality first as well.
Jun 5, 2010
Reply
There is a need to get a balance as the two cannot be separate as such.We dig in the religious books to get belief but at the same time we also go through such books and others to get professional knowledge,then when the line is cross professional counseling stem what could bring the religious side combine to the reality.A kind link up spirituality with reality.
Jun 19, 2010
Reply
How can we expect doctors to be experts in every field of medicine?
Of course they can’t be experts in say addiction unless they make it their specialty but who has time.
But we can all agree, generally they love to pull out the prescription pad.
Having said that how can we expect a holy man to know anything about mental health but we can agree that at least they should recognize that someone is asking for help and point them in the right direction.
But alas if you come across a holy man who only believes the good book then if it’s not in there then it does not exist.
Jun 20, 2010
Reply
What I believe is the mental issues we facing a lot right now because of lack of following what our religion had though us. Unless for the people that do not believe in Religion. Example : Religion is the house, while other mental treatment is within the house. You know what i mean, right?
Sep 26, 2010
Reply
Interesting article I believe that those who do follow a faith should stick to their religious background.
Sep 27, 2010
Reply
A very difficult issue, especially when as in my case you come from an European country where religion and church play an important role in overall policy matters. I’m not a religious man but despite this I understand and acknowledge how important faith can be for someone’s mental health. Of course this does not mean that religion is the only means of treating mental disorders and very often only a connection of medical treatment and faith can lead to positive results. In this sense I agree with the first commentator saying that “it is time that both camps acknowledged their disagreements, assumed a stance of live and let live, and then also acknowledged their mutual benefits to their clients”. This is possible but it needs definitely a lot of time.