New Therapist and Religion

[ringil]

It’s not the term, it’s the behavior, which can be easily recognized in people’s questions, answers and actions. If the therapist recognized ‘scrupulous’ behavior either during the session, or as the patient described it during the session, he’d know it for what it was even if he called it something else.

There is a clinical descriptor “religiously pre-occupied” which denotes a level of obsessiveness regarding aspects of religious behavior or thought which interferes which the client’s functioning.

Clinical “religious pre-occupation” is normally seen in folks suffereing from delusions and these religious-related delusions and behaviors will cause marked distress.

 

[DJK100]

After much searching, I found a therapist near my new home that I could afford. However, there is a big - glaring - problem.

I went to my first session earlier today, and I mentioned that I was Catholic in response to the ‘tell me about yourself’ schpiel.

As soon as I finished, the therapist said that she thinks I have a lot of potential, but I need to let go of my ‘security blanket’. I asked her what she meant.

Apparently, I’m using religion as a ‘crutch’ to help me deal with my life. If I were strong, I would let go of these outdated modes of thinking.

Generally, she spent the second half of the session talking about how religion was bad for me, and how she was going to help me break free from that.

I have no intention of going back (even though it means trying to find another therapist in the city who doesn’t cost an arm and a leg), but I was curious, has anyone else had an experience like this? Is there some kind of board I can report her to?

Ask her where in the DSM that it says Religion is a mental illness and then kindly ask her to stop foisting her own personal problems with religion on you when in fact it has been a source of strength in your life.