Should Christians Get Therapy?
Mental health is one of the most talked-about topics in our generation; Research shows that 1:5 of people suffer from depression.
With the conversation on the rise, people want to know if they are on a spectrum, others have self-diagnosed (ADHD & Depression being the most diagnosed).
In all of these conversations around mental health, one question lingers in the Christian community; should a Christian (Born again, tongue-speaking demon binding Christian) get therapy?
So let us get into it.
First, what is psychotherapy?
According to the American psychiatry association, psychotherapy is a way to help people with a wide variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. The aim is to help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing. It also helps understand the unwanted feelings and behaviors a person might have.
I believe there has been a considerable gap between mental health and the church for a long time. The attitude expressed by some Christians is that if you struggle with depression and anxiety (or just any mental/emotional condition), you need to pray it away. I’ve also noticed in some settings that people are shamed for going to therapy. They have lost faith in God and succumbed to “the pressures of this world.”
Some Christian folks have called mental health conditions “the devil’s disease to keep your mind busy from focusing on God.” If these medical conditions are the devil’s disease, shouldn’t therapy be considered GOD’S counterplan?
Because we know that for everything God makes, the devil tries to thwarts, but God corrects and restructures.
Now, when we started embracing the idea of therapy (rather slowly), seeking therapy outside anywhere but the church has been frowned upon.
But with therapy,
People close to you –including your church elders– might not have the skill set. You need a professional bound by an oath to help you. With a professional, you don’t have to worry about becoming a sermon topic or the gist of the pastor’s family.
You might hurt the person you are speaking to. Sometimes the people we need to heal from are church folks, you cant be seeking healing where you were hurt. You leave there hurt and hurt the person you spoke to.
A neutral party is necessary. Period. A judgment-free zone.
In the course of my medical practice and life as a Christian, one thing I’ve learned is faith and therapy (and all medical practice) are not mutually exclusive. Listen, therapy does not reject God’s word; the Bible encourages us to seek counsel! This is why Jesus left us with a counselor before he left earth. When you go to therapy, you’re seeking counsel.
“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life” — proverbs 19:20
Going for therapy doesn’t mean you have failed spiritually; you are only acknowledging help offered by God. After all, God is the one who gives wisdom to Men.
There’s a myth that counselors/therapists are secular or don’t believe in God and will try to impose their views on you. The job of a therapist is not to impose but to help you facilitate processing your thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and circumstances. Therapists are generally ‘hope peddlers.’ A therapist is more of a guide and less of an adviser, so they can’t convert you into their belief system. It is unethical.
Now, I know some of us would feel more comfortable visiting a therapist who shares the same views as you, and that’s completely fine. At the end of this article, I will state a few therapists I can recommend; feel free to do your research and find yours.
Now, here are a few reasons why I think Christians should get therapy;
It engages our capacity to grow in a healthy/caring relationship: A healed person can form relationships. Being saved doesn’t automatically wipe out your past hurts; You + Jesus + therapy = a whole man! I’ve listened to many young people complain about how toxic church folks are. But maybe it’s because said folks haven’t been given a chance to process childhood traumas, family and church hurt. Remember, hurt people hurt people even when they aren’t trying.
Wisdom consists of two parts: — knowledge of the world and knowledge of self. Knowing yourself and God more exposes gaps in which you need to grow. I’ve noticed that as humans, we always focus on one, either self or God. Neglecting either party has never worked for anyone. Talking to someone exposes parts that need to be tended to. The best part, they give you exercises in therapy that can help you work through these blind spots.
Helps us practice transparency, humility, and taking responsibility. When you go to therapy, you must be honest, not just to your therapist but also to yourself. It is easier to point out errors in other people; treatment ensures you do it to yourself and provides you resources and avenues to correct/fix that.
Helps you process occurrences of the past. Time doesn’t heal all wounds; it tends to hide them; when triggered, they resurface. In therapy, you have to deal with your emotions head-on!
In summary, therapy is tested, tried, and trusted. There is no shame in seeking help to assist you in navigating this chaotic world and the bad experiences that the world throws at us. You might need to get on medications in some cases, which is completely fine. Better to be a whole person physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Yes, the joy we have as the father gave Christians to us, and the world can’t take it away; and when we are faced with trials, we pray, we seek therapy, and we are better for it.
Sources
1. Better help (betterhelp.com)
2. Paul & Caroline Udenyi ministries
3. Vanessa Inyang (marriage counselor)
4. Dr. Sophie (IG: )
These are sources I have personally tested and can vouch for. While there are other sources.
~ Dr. Loveth Ejeh
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