Can I go to confession to receive counseling?

[rosemerry]

I have been depressed for a few years. My depression became so severe that I had seriously considered suicide. In confession, I revealed this as a sin to a priest. His spiritual guidance in regard to my depression/suicide contemplations really helped me.

Although I am still depressed, I see a counselor. However, my counselor does not offer me spiritual advice, as my confessor had. My confessor provided a calming counsel, while my counselor has only provided me with secular advice.

Is it acceptable to request religious/spiritual guidance in regard to personal problems, such as mental illness? Or is confession strictly for sins?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

My prayers are with you during this difficult time, and I ask CAF’s members to pray for you too.

During confession the penitent reveals sins and is absolved for them. For spiritual counsel, you may go to a priest for spiritual direction outside of confession. Confession may also be included during a spiritual direction session with a priest. But please be aware that spiritual direction should not substitute for the therapy you receive from a mental health professional. Both therapy and spiritual direction have their place in a treatment program, and neither should be neglected or substituted for the other.

God bless.