When secular counseling and faith collide - for Christians?

Question

I've been in counseling and on medications for three years, diagnosed with bipolar II and panic disorder & PTSD. I accept the diagnoses, as there's a clear family history. There's no doubt the meds have helped me. But often I come away from therapy sessions (with a counselor I really like) with a feeling that putting the suggested skills, according to a secular mental health view, would be in opposition to what the bible says.

For example, I seems to attract individuals who are needy, and guess I'm an easy mark. I have a tendency to take on people as "projects" when they're down & out, or I feel they are vulnerable, alone or have been taken advantage of. End result is that they become very dependent, and I soon begin to feel trapped and not liking them very much. To the world, the simple solution is to remove myself from these situations, but in my own heart that often feels like an unmerciful concept according to scripture. I get confused. I wonder if I should just pray. Thoughts?

***Just to let everyone who's answered me know, all of you have been very positive, supportive and helpful. I am very appreciative. God bless you!***

Answer 1

As a woman who took classes in Christian Counseling I can tell you what part of the problem is.... secular counseling. You need to find someone who offers counseling from a biblical perspective. It puts a whole new spin on things, and as a Christian it's really the only way you're going to get what you need. I used to be severly depressed and was on anti-depressants for a very long time. When I got my spiritual life on track and learned the biblical solutions for my problems I was able to stop taking the "happy pills" and just be happy in Jesus! The medicine did help me - it helped me to not care what my problems were - but it didn't help me to solve my problems. I encourage you to find a Christian counselor and try that out. I'm concerned for you, please keep me posted!

Answer 2

God bless you, you are a good person. Maybe you try to take people and their stuff on as projects because you might not feel that you have control over your own life, and helping others through their stuff may make you feel more in control. Just know that sometimes others have to go through "stuff" in order to grow, just like you do. So pray about what you want to do, but do what God leads you to do. None of us can "fix" another person.

Also, start speaking the Word over your life--who you really are in Christ. Here are some scriptures for you to speak over yourself:
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:6
Luke 9:1
Psalm 149:4
Ephesians 1:3
Philippians 4:6
Ephesians 5:29
1 John 4:17
Philippians 4:11
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Galationas 5:22-23
1 Peter 2:24
Isaiah 44:2
Romans 6:13
Romans 8:28
Acts 13:47
1 John 5:4-5
1 Peter 5:10
Ephesians 3:16
Luke 12:24

These are just a few, there are many many more. Try not to speak negative things over yourself (don't give Satan any ground), speak positive things. God bless you!

Answer 3

Helping others who are in need is never wrong. Of course you and your resources are limited. So help where you can and DON’T worry about the rest! Depression indicates a conflict within yourself. I guess a Psychiatrist can tell you that.
Your compassion is good. Keep it up! However compassion should be accompanied by forgiveness, which is the more difficult part.
Try to forgive those who appear to “take advantage” of you, AND forgive yourself for being imperfect!
When you give or help do it because YOU WANT TO do so from your heart, not for reward.
Don’t feel guilty because at times you can’t help or you think that “helping” was not appropriate in a situation.
Just laying blame on yourself, or on others for that matter, is wrong.
LOOK AT how much “wrong” is caused by your own action or thinking.
Don't feel guilty about something you did not do or cause.
If you made a mistake, recognize it as such. If you can correct it do so!
If not acknowledge it to yourself and resolve to avoid it in the future.
If others may be affected make sure to apologize and try to make up for it if that is possible.
Ask for forgiveness from yourself and your creator.
Beyond that, always try to make the best out a situation and learn to avoid bad results by positive thinking.

Answer 4

Satan is alive and real. He can use guilt to disable a Christian. As well as any seeming form of mental problems.You may really need medication. You may not. You may need to see a Christian counselor. Caution::::: there are just as many "quacks" in Christian counseling as the secular counseling. Even a real good secular counselor may be looking in the wrong place for the "cause" of your problem. I would find some Christian counselors and look at them for a long time before choosing. Just because someone says they are a Christian does not necessarily mean that they know what they are talking about.

Answer 5

Wow! I can hardly believe I came across this today! It's like looking in the mirror at myself! I don't suffer from bipolar or PTSD, but I have been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety disorder with panic attacks and mild agoraphobia. My greatest desire is to reach out and be there for those who are in so much pain, but I am actually supported in this idea by the therapist (and friend) I see. You must listen to God for your answer but, you must also remember, that God does not wanting you sick and in pain, emotionally or physically. If you need to back down a little and not take so much on to stay healthy, then do so. Every little bit you do is a tremendous blessing to you and to the one you're "helping". God will truly bless you and, if you sincerely ask Him, He will let you know His will for you. God bless!

Answer 6

Secularists will tell you it is bad to put yourself out there and be who you are to be. It is bad, it will hurt others, the real you will offend others......WHAT!?!?!?!?

My friend let me tell you, the feelings deep in your heart tell you that you are supposed to be something greater. Something of God. The secular counselors will spit in the face of God and hold you back. They do not want you to be great, but submissive and passive. You are called to be active, you are called to be something greater. If you are sensing that what you are getting from the Bible is not what the secular counselors are telling you then I would ask you to seek out a Christian Counselor. They WILL edify you - they will put you into that place of who God designed you to be. They know for a fact that God has a great plan for you.

Okay, I am not a counselor and please take my advice with a grain of salt. But, find a Christian Counselor - keep with the meds and get away from the secular realm. Christian counselors will get you on the pathway to healthy living faster than a secularist.

Answer 7

I do the exact same thing, down and outers have always drawn to me like magnets because I can meet them at their level, I hear you on bipolar, the meds are good, don't let anyone say otherwise. It isn't easy just to walk away from people who have come to trust and rely on you. All i can say is seek balance, spend more of your time with a good friend who picks you up than you do with "projects". God bless you for your love, Jesus truly smiles on your compassion, it's OK to look out for yourself at the same time, find a good friend or friends who can help you carry this burden.
All the best

Answer 8

Heyyyyyyyy. My friend.

My wife had the exact same thing. !!

There are Christian counseling. Contrary to what anyone tells you. God, has allowed for Medicine by everyone.

LUKE was a physician. hellooooo? God, knows your needs and God, will direct you for the appropriate help.

DON'T EVER..EVER...EVER.... LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT.

treating a Bi-polar is no different than treating Diabetes.

Stay on your Med's my friend. Every bipolar person has the same downfall, they take it on themselves to get off Med's. YOU will devastate your own life. I have worked in that field several years.
There is NO conflict scripturally or otherwise. Don't let anyone tell you this.

Answer 9

Dear Leila

You are LITERATE , you are inquisitive
you accept help . Their aint nothing much
wrong with u !

All u have to do , is leave the scriptures alone
till u r about 85....

Meantime , have Courage , believe in yrself
, look in the mirror in the morning , and say
"I AM NUMBER 1 , AND IF SUMONE 'WANTS'
MY HELP, THEY CAN A S K .
Dont go "looking" for it.....

Good Luck from Orion Man....

Answer 10

Praying helps me.

I am thinking that you have to know your limits within your Mental health and how many people you can help, you have to set limits to keep your own sanity, I don't think doing that is going against the word of God at all.

Bless you for helping others, and good luck in all of your works.

Peace!