When is it right to turn to psychology instead of spirituality?

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Before I go on I’d like to say that I dont neccesarily believe in psychology (or like some aspects of it).For example I dont believe in the Elektra or Oedipus complex.I’m not not saying that I doubt neurological doings and interactions (such as with the five senses) have a significant part in how the human mind and human nature works.What I disagree with is that thoughts,behaviour and some actions can be explained as the result of rules in a system which is supposedly a science ( and not a very “hard science”) at that becuase for one thing the human mind is** highly** variable in how subjective and empirical it is.That being siad though I wont deny that are times when someone would require psychological help for a disorder or condition that they have(even though spirituality does still help).For example if they have epilespy,Asparager syndrome or developmental dyspraxia then they’d need professional psychological help to analyze their problems.However there are also times when certain matters (particulary of a social nature) such as an identity crisis (t least in my opinion) can be resolved with an adherence of spirituality and how your belief system would address the problem.My question is though,when do you know that it’s right to do this?.Thank you very much so for your time.
 
I think psychological issues should be treated with psychology and spiritual issues treated with spirituality. Spirituality easily becomes a “crutch” when one uses it as a cure-all. To my mind, an identity crisis is a psychological issue which needs psychological treatment by therapy and counseling. While spirituality may be comforting in the face of an issue like that, what I have found in individuals is that the improper use of spirituality to treat psychological issues merely leads to very spiritual, yet mentally unstable people with suppressed issues that are even more complicated and difficult to correct.
 
To be honest, I don’t think I believe in anything in psychology. It’s a load of **** to me. You are right about it not being a hard science.

The interactions between drugs and chemical receptors is not a tenet of psychology, it’s a tenet of biology and chemistry.
 
FaithBuild18 said:
The interactions between drugs and chemical receptors is not a tenet of psychology, it’s a tenet of biology and chemistry.
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The interactions between drugs and chemical receptors is a tenet of physiological psychology, an important subdivision within psychology.
 
It depends on the situation.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel is both a psychologist and a very spiritually-oriented priest.

He writes a couple of books each year. They are worth reading to pick up various insights.\

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Groeschel

Possibly, 41 books:

franciscanfriars.com/books/benedict_books.htm

Generally, for psychology to work, the patient/client needs to have some sort of mental/ psychological resources available. Something to work with.

Sometimes a psychologist can actually train a client to provide that person with skills.

It all depends.
 
sidetrack said:
Before I go on I’d like to say that I dont neccesarily believe in psychology (or like some aspects of it).For example I dont believe in the Elektra or Oedipus complex.I’m not not saying that I doubt neurological doings and interactions (such as with the five senses) have a significant part in how the human mind and human nature works.What I disagree with is that thoughts,behaviour and some actions can be explained as the result of rules in a system which is supposedly a science ( and not a very “hard science”) at that becuase for one thing the human mind is** highly** variable in how subjective and empirical it is.That being siad though I wont deny that are times when someone would require psychological help for a disorder or condition that they have(even though spirituality does still help).For example if they have epilespy,Asparager syndrome or developmental dyspraxia then they’d need professional psychological help to analyze their problems.However there are also times when certain matters (particulary of a social nature) such as an identity crisis (t least in my opinion) can be resolved with an adherence of spirituality and how your belief system would address the problem.My question is though,when do you know that it’s right to do this?.Thank you very much so for your time.
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Hi Sidetrack,

I don’t see it as either-or. Therapists, however, should be able to show, objectively, that their approach has something to offer before people spend three figures per hour. Demonstrable success rates are important.

Freudian psychology is not commonly used nowadays.

Epilepsy in particular is more of a medical situation. Developmental problems like Asperger’s are also a different sort of thing than the sort of problems that cause adults to seek out a therapist.

It is right to seek therapy when your judgement tells you that you will get your money’s worth from it. Those with limited budgets need to be extra careful, since the expense can interfere with very important financial needs like saving or avoiding debt. Therapists with a Catholic approach are best when they can show high success, but more important is just to avoid any therapist who would undermine ones faith or moral code. Such therpaists are definitely out there; I would see marriage therapy as a big danger zone.

Just my view of the question.

God Bless,
Joan
 
Robert_Sock said:
The interactions between drugs and chemical receptors is a tenet of physiological psychology, an important subdivision within psychology.
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You tell 'em, Robert! I think most people who criticize psychology don’t really understand what the field encompasses, that is, the many different branches (interconnected, but with a different focus) that form what is called the science of psychology. Half of all psychologists, including myself, have NOTHING to do with treating abnormal disorders. If one isn’t a clinical psychologist or a physiological psychologist, good luck explaining to non-psychologists what you do for a living.
 
When I was struggling with my spirituality many years ago, I went to a psychologist for psychological help in order to get me back on track for spiritual growth. If your psychological state is adversely affecting your spirituality, then you should get some type of psychological help (counseling…I don’t mean that you should apply Fruedian theories to yourself).

As Monte RCMS points out, some Priests have alot of excperience in psychology and can help in that area from a spiritual perspective. 🙂
 
passus said:
I think psychological issues should be treated with psychology and spiritual issues treated with spirituality. Spirituality easily becomes a “crutch” when one uses it as a cure-all. To my mind, an identity crisis is a psychological issue which needs psychological treatment by therapy and counseling. While spirituality may be comforting in the face of an issue like that, what I have found in individuals is that the improper use of spirituality to treat psychological issues merely leads to very spiritual, yet mentally unstable people with suppressed issues that are even more complicated and difficult to correct.
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QFT.
 
I suspect any approach to the human that excludes from part of the equation an essential aspect of that person is suspect.

I mean I imagine a clinical psychologist is trained to spot potential physiological problems. A psychiatrist is trained to spot more behavioral problems (formed habits, reinforcements, anxiety about "future’ events - hard to say that is truly physiological, though it might be seen in physiological indicators)…and so forth.

But an approach that ignores the soul, the will, and so forth seems like it would end up with big limits.

Psychology seems,just based on reading newspapers, devoid of mention of the soul, and increasingly the will, even.

This is a defective study and treatment of man.

We have a body, intellect, will, emotions, and a soul. Really good priests are trained to consider the integral person in their counseling and spiritual direction.

A very good priest is able to examine a person from a set of points.
  • How ordered or disorded is a person’s thinking (intellect)
  • How ordered or disorded is a person’s emotions
  • How ordered or disorded is a person’s physical self (tiredness, apparent weakness, disease, etc…what “load” is the body presenting on the overall person).
  • How ordered or disordered is a perons’s will? (and ‘who’ is in charge of this person…who’s 'making decisions…the will, or emotions, the body…etc.)
  • And how ordered and disorded is a person’s soul…?
 
I would much rather see aspects of Psychology in the Catholic Church treated strictly with the Moral and Spiritual teachings of the Church. No more No less.

Secular Psychology today is filled with excessive Humanism and Moral Relativism.

As someone already noted Father Groeschel being a Psychologist; I would be far much more inclined to trust him and his “spiritual direction” than some other unknown prelates.

And I say this without bias but on reputation alone.

Peace
Chris
 
Before I go on I’d like to say that I dont neccesarily believe in psychology (or like some aspects of it).For example I dont believe in the Elektra or Oedipus complex.I’m not not saying that I doubt neurological doings and interactions (such as with the five senses) have a significant part in how the human mind and human nature works.What I disagree with is that thoughts,behaviour and some actions can be explained as the result of rules in a system which is supposedly a science ( and not a very “hard science”) at that becuase for one thing the human mind is highly variable in how subjective and empirical it is.That being siad though I wont deny that are times when someone would require psychological help for a disorder or condition that they have(even though spirituality does still help).For example if they have epilespy,Asparager syndrome or developmental dyspraxia then they’d need professional psychological help to analyze their problems.However there are also times when certain matters (particulary of a social nature) such as an identity crisis (t least in my opinion) can be resolved with an adherence of spirituality and how your belief system would address the problem.My question is though,when do you know that it’s right to do this?.Thank you very much so for your time.
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I know a priest who recommends that those seeking treatment from a psychologist simultaneously seek spiritual direction. Sometimes, aspects of popular psychology can be contrary to the virtues we strive to live out as Catholics.

Another really helpful alternative is to seek a Catholic therapist. You can go to www.catholictherapst.com to find someone who can integrate (and respect) your Catholic beliefs.
 
sidetrack said:
Before I go on I’d like to say that I dont neccesarily believe in psychology (or like some aspects of it).For example I dont believe in the Elektra or Oedipus complex.I’m not not saying that I doubt neurological doings and interactions (such as with the five senses) have a significant part in how the human mind and human nature works.What I disagree with is that thoughts,behaviour and some actions can be explained as the result of rules in a system which is supposedly a science ( and not a very “hard science”) at that becuase for one thing the human mind is** highly** variable in how subjective and empirical it is.That being siad though I wont deny that are times when someone would require psychological help for a disorder or condition that they have(even though spirituality does still help).For example if they have epilespy,Asparager syndrome or developmental dyspraxia then they’d need professional psychological help to analyze their problems.However there are also times when certain matters (particulary of a social nature) such as an identity crisis (t least in my opinion) can be resolved with an adherence of spirituality and how your belief system would address the problem.My question is though,when do you know that it’s right to do this?.Thank you very much so for your time.
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I think that psychology is needed when medication is required and/or behaviors that are part of a brain disorder are present. I believe that God allowed the development of psychiatry and psychology for a good reason. It’s when we use psychology to “explain away God” that we get in trouble. When you couple the two of them together I think you can get the maximum benefit.
 
centurionguard said:
I would much rather see aspects of Psychology in the Catholic Church treated strictly with the Moral and Spiritual teachings of the Church. No more No less.

Secular Psychology today is filled with excessive Humanism and Moral Relativism.

As someone already noted Father Groeschel being a Psychologist; I would be far much more inclined to trust him and his “spiritual direction” than some other unknown prelates.

And I say this without bias but on reputation alone.

Peace
Chris
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A good psychotherapist, of whatever psychological orientation, will not impose their own moral beliefs–humanistic or religious–on their patient. Instead, they will encourage the patient to find their own “voice,” be it religious or secular. For example, if a patient expresses a desire to be a good Catholic but is having difficulties in accepting some of the Church’s teaching, the skilled therapist will help them be what they wish to be rather than offering them alternatives. Of course, psychotherapists today should have at least a working knowledge regarding different cultural practices, religious beliefs, customs, and so forth, in order to better understand how the particular psychological challenges of their patients may relate to their cultural background.
 
When I struggled with similar questions I googled on the search term ‘catholic therapy’ and found a very helpful and devout, rooted Catholic psychiatrist.
 
Obsculta said:
When I struggled with similar questions I googled on the search term ‘catholic therapy’ and found a very helpful and devout, rooted Catholic psychiatrist.
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I researched this myself and came to the same conclusion.

However; not all Catholic psychologist like Secular psychologist are specifically trained in all professional aspects and divisions of diverse mental illness.

On another note unless you reside in a highly populated metropolitan you’ll find less and less Catholic and Secular Psychologist attenuated or trained to specific aspects of diverse mental illness. But then most should know this anyway.

I just wish there were more Catholic psychologist to go around every parish or at the very least on a diocesan level. Every priest can be and are spiritual directors and have studied aspects of psychology in their own right. In fact it should be an ongoing study.

Its sad with the growing decline in the priesthood that many priests themselves suffer with forms of psychological burnout.

And though many Parishes now have Professional Nurse members to help with some of medical and psychological needs of parishioners its not always adequate.

I’m not being negative here…just stating facts.

Most Catholics suffering from diverse forms of psychological illness are forced to resort to the growing human imperfections of secular psychotherapy.

You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not a super great supporter of imperfect human theoretical sciences dealing with the human mind.
 
@ Joan1969
“It is right to seek therapy when your judgement tells you that you will get your money’s worth from it. Those with limited budgets need to be extra careful, since the expense can interfere with very important financial needs like saving or avoiding debt. Therapists with a Catholic approach are best when they can show high success, but more important is just to avoid any therapist who would undermine ones faith or moral code. Such therpaists are definitely out there; I would see marriage therapy as a big danger zone.”

Thanks for your reply Joan.What you wrote reminded me of something I forgot to write this thread before.During a Mass for a wedding I remember that we were told that we should rely on the Church when there is problems (I think that in that case marriage problems were being refered to) becuase people like psychologists would just like our money.Considering that makes me skeptical about psychology as well.
 
A lot of psychologists pride themselves on being “value free”.

If you’re Catholic, you probably want someone who is Catholic.

Click on “find a therapist” … but not all Catholic therapists are on here, so you would need to ask around further:

catholictherapists.com/
 
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