Is Dialectical Behavioral Psychotherapy OK for Catholic?

[TerryCat]

I have severe life long mental illness. Having had two rounds of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), I am worried if I should enroll in a specialized DBT intensive program my therapist recommended. The founder of DBT is a devout Catholic who studied at Catholic university and also taught there. Yet, she has reportedly a Zen instructor and has been taught meditation techniques by a Roman Catholic priest and her Zen instructor. Articles say DBT is based in Zen Buddhism. I don’t understand her practicing Catholicism and Buddhism. Mindfulness with radical acceptance and non-judgment stance is a guiding key compotent in this therapy. It is a very widely used therapy, said to be evidence-based, and highly-recommended to me. I looked on-line at a group therapy room where I was considering attending and there was a very large statue head of a Buddha placed prominently in the room. I did not feel comfortable. Why is it OK to put Buddha there but not Jesus Christ too? I need serious help with my life-threatening illness and have suffered so long. I feel like I have to put both feet in this DBT thing to make it work for me but I don’t want to do anything contradictory or hurtful to living the best Catholic life I can or most of all offending God. Thank you for reading and any feedback. God Bless!

 

[Cruciferi]

Bad luck . broken mirror Catholic Living

We are sincerely sorry to hear of your struggles. However, the CA Forums are unfortunately not set up to provide intensive spiritual counseling. Our best advice is for you to seek out a good priest on the local level who knows you or can get to know you because he’ll be treating you in the most fruitful counseling environment: a three-dimensional one. You may also wish to consider getting other support on the local level from a licensed counselor who is respectful of your Catholic Faith. Regard…

I need serious help with my life-threatening illness and have suffered so long.

Please understand that we cannot offer Medical Advice here. Consult your Physician and or get a Second Opinion.

 

[Herculees]

I, too, deal with a mental illness and find I can NOT allow myself to participate in DBT because of it’s focus on Buddhism. Some have tried to convince me to the contrary but for me it is contrary to what I believe. I would suggest participating in individual and/or group psychotherapy. You might also check into whether there are any mental health support groups near you! In the United States many of the states have DBSA groups (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance). DBSA groups are for individuals with any type of mental health disorder i.e. depression, bipolar, psychotic, schizophrenia, dysthymia, anxiety, etc. and many groups allow friends and family to attend. To find DBSA groups in the U.S. go to: www.secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/PageServer?pagename=home

 

[Tis_Bearself]

OP, as Cruciferi said, this is a medical issue, not one for the forum.

Please talk to your doctors and mental health professionals and follow their advice.