Im a christian & w/my religion going 2 a therapist is frowned upon but i really need 2 seek therapy, advice?

Question

I've been dealing with alot of depression mainly because of my past from being raped, my father tried to kill me twice and etc. I am christian and with my religion they say take everything up with God. Thats great and everything but sometimes its good to talk it out to someone who can give you good help and advice, i'm afraid my church family will find out if i start going and I will be asked to sit down from my church duties (thats what they do when you dont follow the rules of the church).

Answer 1

Depression will kill you just as dead, if not as fast as a heart attack. Religion is great if it makes you feel better, but if you need medical treatment, then get it immediately. If the members of your church have a problem with you seeing a therapist, or psychiatrist, then they have a much greater problem than you do. Do not worry about the opinions of others, only what is best for you. My family and I will be keeping you in our thoughts. Have a wonderful day.

Answer 2

Then seek therapy. God is a beautiful thing and a great source of strength, but there are some things that faith alone cannot do. Religion alone cannot teach you strategies for getting through the day, for dealing with fear and anger in effective, helpful ways, for helping you to accept the hurt and do productive things with it.

I realize there will be people who will tell you to seek comfort in the Bible, and all that, but you need more help than just a lot of Bible verses quoted at you. Therapists exist because people need them and because they fill a void that other forms of help can't address.

I have never been raped, but one of my best friends has. She is a Christian, but to this day, she sees a psychiatrist, and her doctor has helped her a lot. There is no shame in seeking the help of a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Good luck! I hope that you will get the help you need and that your family and church family will be supportive.

And if the church family isn't supportive--seek a different congregation. I'm serious about that. *Hugs*

Answer 3

I don't know what church you go to, but...What? Going to a therapist is NOT frowned on by Christians - unless there is something terribly wrong with your church!

I am a Christian counselor, and there are lots of those - so find one in your hometown if that will make you feel better about seeing a therapist. No one needs to know or find out, and they won't, unless you tell them. The therapist is not allowed, by law and the ethics of the profession, to tell anyone.

With all that you have been through, you do have a lot to talk about and get healing for...so don't wait another day, hon!

But really-- if you go to a church where you would be asked to step down from your duties or have judgmental people looking down on you because you're trying to get emotionally and mentally healed from harm done to you, I hope you'll try to find a new church where you will be loved and accepted, as you deserve to be (and as you are by Christ himself!).

Answer 4

Go see a therapist. Forget what your church says. It sounds like you have more issues than almost any minister will be able to handle; besides, their solutions are pretty much all the same, as you have experienced already: Let God handle it. Well, as a former psychiatric nurse, I can tell you "leaving it up to God" isn't going to help. If your church asks you to "sit down from [your] church duties" because you sought outside help, perhaps you need to reconsider which church to belong to. Obviously they are more concerned with controlling your behavior and limiting your contacts than they are with your health and well-being. There is a lot of help out there if you need it. Call someone, today. You'll feel better for it. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

Absolutely go see a therapist... you definitely need it and it could do you a world of good! If your church frowns upon getting help when you need it, that is not healthy. I mean, would they tell you to live with a broken arm and not seek medical help? Then why should you live with depression and not seek medical help? I would suggest leaving your church and finding people that can be more supportive... clearly making you suffer like this is not a good or godly thing to do.

Answer 6

I am a Christian and my father is a minister so my family is very religious. I do not think that it as at all wrong to go to a therapist to get help! Being able to talk things out with another human is actually suggested in the bible. I would try to find a Christian therapist if you can as you could probably talk to them more easil about every aspect of your life, which it sound like your religion is a major part of, but even a non-Christian therapist will be beneficial. Of course, you should still tell God everything and ask him for help but there is nothing wrong with using the help that he has provided for you on earth aswell.

There is a story that my dad uses in his sermons and it goes like this. A man lived in a small village at the bottom of the valley. One day there was a big storm and the valley began to flood. He managed to get onto the top of his roof and the water was rising but he was not worried. He thought to him self, 'I am a good Christian man and God will save me'. Soon a small boat came along with a few people in it and they offered to help him to safety, but he said "No, I am a good Christian man and God will save me". Next a rescua helicopter came along and shouted down at him to climb up the rope ladder but he said, "No, I am a good Christian man and God will save me". The water kept on rising and the man drowned. When he got to heaven he said to God, "God, I am a good Christian man. Why didn't you save me?" God said to him, "I sent you a boat and a helicopter. You chose not to take my help."

Sometimes we need to recognise God's help can in the form of other humans. Don't wait around for a miracle, go out and get the help that he has provided for you. I am sure that your family won't mind but if they do explain it to them the way that I have explained it to you. I am sure they will come around but if not, your health is much more important. Good luck and God bless you.

Answer 7

Sounds to me that you need a different "church" if you are expected to forget the realities of "this" life. There is nothing wrong with seeking the help of a therapist FOR there is nothing which says that God does NOT work through others. As a matter of fact, it IS how he helps us through those trained to do so. God loves you and wants you to DEAL with the circumstances of this life and I will be honest to tell you that I am a "minister" along with being a "psychologist." Unlike christian ministers, I seek the avenues of all creation which the Lord has given for answers to our lives. Do not allow others to LIMIT the powers of the Lord in your life to heal you of the past simply by their prejudices or phobic delusions. Jesus IS Lord, and he heals through those TRAINED to do so.

Answer 8

By all means, you need someone to talk to. If there is no person within the framework of your church who is qualified to give you counseling and advice, or nobody you are comfortable with, then by all means, please seek the help of a professional.

There is nothing unscriptural about that.

And depression is not something you should take lightly.

And, presuming that being raped and almost killed has nothing to do with your religion, then you should not fear a professional trying to undermine your faith.

- Bob

Answer 9

Here's what I think.

No matter how much you AGREE with whatever church you go to, you have to admit that you won't agree with it on EVERYTHING.

Pray about this. Ask God to help you decide what to do. Study the Bible. I see nowhere in the Bible that says it's wrong to seek therapy.

It sounds like you really have been through a lot in your life. My heart goes out to you. I say go with your heart, and pray about it, but I suggest at least trying therapy. I really think it will benefit you.

Or, how about a Christian counselor? Would your church see that any differently, maybe? Talk with your pastor and see what he thinks.

Best of luck.

Answer 10

There are some very excellent Christian therapists... my sister is one. I cannot understand how a Christian church would disallow a person from getting therapy. Frankly, I would find another church... and if you wish some help with that, take a look at the Billy Graham website... they can refer you to a local Bible-based church.

Please get yourself help... PLEASE!!! This church you belong to is screwed up!


Have a blessed day.