"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
The Problem With Psychotherapy
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ (Colossians 2:8 NASB)."
I was introduced to someone at a church Bible study for the purpose of getting my perspective on her mental health issues. The woman was in her sixties and was suffering from depression. Bereavement issues were a salient concern. She was not suicidal.
She was seeing a secular psychologist and psychiatrist. Here was her treatment plan.
- Individual psychotherapy.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.
- Psychotropic medication.
She found the psychotherapy helpful. Her therapist would simply listen as she expressed her feelings, the painful emotions she was experiencing. The therapist would simply reflect back on what was said to keep the conversation going. It was, as she put it, "just like talking to a friend." No suggestions were offered.
This, in and of itself, was helpful. This is generally the best way to help someone experiencing bereavement. Bereavement will resolve itself over time. And expressing your emotions to a receptive listener—who doesn't offer a lot of advice—is definitely helpful.
Nothing more was really needed. And this is an area of ministry that Christians can do for one another (Galatians 6:2).
The other two parts of the treatment plan were of concern.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This, had she started it, would have been at a hospital outpatient program. Classroom instruction would have been combined with homework assignments. Unhelpful thought patterns or 'cognitive distortions' would be identified. And she would have been taught to be aware of these thoughts and to substitute more appropriate thoughts.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is generally regarded as the best form of psychotherapy—and there are a number of variations.
However, it is not as effective as the Bible. And focusing on CBT would get her focus off of the Bible—which is where it really needed to be.
Psychotropic medication: Psychotropic drugs are usually a really bad idea in any case. But they are especially inappropriate for someone with bereavement issues. Bereavement is painful. But you really do need to experience the painful depression in order to heal. The pain will diminish over time.
Psychotropic drugs can prevent this from happening. So, she should not be taking them.
I told her what I thought—and she was receptive to the information provided.
One word of caution: Abruptly discontinuing some psychotropic drugs can be dangerous. And I advised her of this.
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