Spirituality and Psychotherapy

[Stu]

If your son is better as a result of the interactions with the therapist, that is the main thing. The problem with therapists who rely too heavily on religious or spiritual concepts is that they have a tendency to ignore the science. This was, at its heart, the issue between Jung and Freud. The Freudians went on to establish Ego Psychology and Relational Theory and enjoy a fairly healthy relationship with modern Psychiatry and Neurology, while the Jungians became marginalized and their supernatural theories became the object of scorn.

Thing is, the science is where new concepts and conceptual ways of looking at psychology comes from.

So while your son may become more grounded and find a way to navigate this world, there may be techniques or medications that would be very helpful that may not be on the radar scope for him.

The other issue here is most people are either indoctrinated into their religious position by their family, or they make a conscious choice about what they want to believe based on their life experience. The therapy session is an intimate and vulnerable place, regardless of the therapist personal beliefs it is highly unethical (in my opinion) for a therapist to be pushing a particular supernatural theory on an individual in their care.

 

[Skarekrow]

I have to chime in, but I’ll be short.

Most of you know that I give weight to a great many things that others might dismiss when it comes to the metaphysical, paranormal, PSI realm.
I think your therapist only has good intentions, which is something I would actually look for in a therapist…of course, being a competent therapist has to go hand in hand with that.
I find it rather curious that so many psychotherapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists, seem to subscribe to the metaphysical. These are arguably very intelligent people, at the very least in the sense that they have devoted many years of study to a field they have a passion for in order to get where they are.
Even those who are only Licensed Counselors, I have found the majority of whom are competent people. Personally, it is about how they and I get on together….when I was getting divorced, I actually had an INFJ counselor…that was incredibly helpful, he understood my motivations and how I thought problems through so much better IMO than another type.
Anyhow, this is really just a judgement call for you to make in regards to your own spiritual beliefs…I can say that there is a great deal that science either ignores, or dismisses without properly investigating the claims. Every so often you hear in the news something about some ancient herb or treatment that is being “rediscovered” as something worthwhile. Even if you don’t believe entirely, sometimes there is great value in stepping slightly out of our comfort zone, sometimes really wonderful things happen. Of course, the opposite could be said as well….are you a glass half full or half empty?
If you are undecided, then let this be the decider…you know yourself better than any of us here do…you know you would never put your Son in harms way…that is how I feel about my own…I would never give up on him…if my own Son got sick or developed a mental illness, I know I would try anything and everything to help him. I’m sure you feel like you have already tried just about everything that is out there…when it comes to my arthritis I get really down sometimes, because I have constant pain of some sort or another 24/7…but I feel I have no relief in sight very often…no matter how much pain I feel, I will be there for him, as long as I possibly can because I love him so incredibly much.
Some may say she overstepped her bounds…I think there may even be people who leave after learning her own beliefs…or at least thinking that they do…(that is the risk she takes)…even those therapists who believe in the metaphysical…I would also bet those same therapists don’t have beliefs too different from your own.
I wish only the best for you and your family!

 

[La Sagna]

If your son is better as a result of the interactions with the therapist, that is the main thing. The problem with therapists who rely too heavily on religious or spiritual concepts is that they have a tendency to ignore the science. This was, at its heart, the issue between Jung and Freud. The Freudians went on to establish Ego Psychology and Relational Theory and enjoy a fairly healthy relationship with modern Psychiatry and Neurology, while the Jungians became marginalized and their supernatural theories became the object of scorn.

Thing is, the science is where new concepts and conceptual ways of looking at psychology comes from.

So while your son may become more grounded and find a way to navigate this world, there may be techniques or medications that would be very helpful that may not be on the radar scope for him.

The other issue here is most people are either indoctrinated into their religious position by their family, or they make a conscious choice about what they want to believe based on their life experience. The therapy session is an intimate and vulnerable place, regardless of the therapist personal beliefs it is highly unethical (in my opinion) for a therapist to be pushing a particular supernatural theory on an individual in their care.

That is sound advice. I have to say that I don't believe that she brought up the concept of the Indigo Children with my son. I believe she took her cues from me before bringing it up. I had been explaining to her how I had always fought against teachers wanting my son to take drugs so he could fit into their idea of what a child should behave like in school. He wasn't a big troublemaker but he was fidgety and disorganized, not a good enough reason in my books to take drugs. I also told her how I didn't believe that ADHD was a disorder but a different type of personality that had just as many gifts as challenges and that I always encouraged him to be proud of who is while holding him responsible for truly inappropriate behaviour and giving him leeway to be himself. I think this is why she brought up the concept of the Indigo Child. He fits the description quite well and my positive take on ADHD is similar.

My son has always had an attraction to spirituality but from the Christian perspective. He was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith but I've never been one to put down other faiths or spiritual practices so he may be open to other concepts. At some point when he is receptive maybe I will speak to him about it.