Choosing a non-Catholic Therapist

[TotusTuusForever]

I have a lot of issue pertaining to abuse I incurred as a a child from my parents, brother and strangers. I deeply desire healing from the issues that are plaguing my life. So, I found a therapist who seems to know exactly what I am going through. She has been featured on PBS, and a bunch of other publications. But, I am pretty sure she uses new age-y techniques and I am wondering, is this is a deal breaker as a Catholic? Some of the techniques include hypnosis among others (including jungian psychology). Her specialty deals specifically with the issues I am dealing with and is the only therapist in my area who seems to understand these specific problems. Thoughts? It worries me, to be honest.

 

[Lou2U]

If you’re really unsure you should talk to your Priest. And if you think she may be wanting to use techniques you’re uncomfortable with, tell her this and explain. Come up with a solution together.

Catholics are fine to go to non-Catholic therapists. I hope she can help you overcome the struggles in your past. I’m sorry you went through that

 

[TheLittleLady]

I promise your Diocese/Catholic Charities has the name of therapists who understand the trauma of abuse.

 

[DarkLight]

While technically true, dioceses can be pretty big. For me, my diocese would have resources, if I could drive 90 minutes each way once a week during working hours.

It’s worth a check, but your resources are going to depend on your area. And unfortunately it’s too easy for therapists to just hang out “abuse” on their shingle without the sort of serious training they really need.

 

[TheLittleLady]

I should have been more clear. I do not mean going physically to someone who works for the Diocese, my suggestion is to contact them about therapists in your own area.

 

[DarkLight]

No, I understood. My point was that the ones my diocese is aware of are in the major urban areas that aren’t actually close to me. Not in the smaller areas around where I actually live. You can pick between someone who’s Catholic and someone who specializes in abuse, but you’re not going to get both without significant travel.

 

[TheLittleLady]

We are fortunate, our Diocese has updated on info on therapists who are simply experts in various things. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a “this is a Catholic” notation on any of the people, it is simply therapists who are known to be solid. A Catholic does not have to only see Catholic docs, but, I would run away from new age practitioners.

 

[DarkLight]

I would too, although I’d check to make sure it was actually new age first. I’m familiar with some cases where the transfer was the other way around - rather than therapy adopting new age techniques, new age practitioners adopted and pseudospiritualized therapy techniques.

 

[TotusTuusForever]

For those who have been abused by narcissists (especially covert ones) going to a regular therapist runs the risk of being harmed by the therapist if they do not fully understand the dynamic of a narc relationship. Therapists often tell survivors of this type of abuse to try to try to build bridges with their abuser instead of validating the fact that the abuser is psychologically dangerous to the client. I have had personal experiences of being told I wasn’t handling the situation correctly when I had no other options but to end contact with my abuser. So, I am very wary of choosing a therapist. I want to feel confident they have the clients best interest in mind. It is not as black and white as most think it is.