"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Exceptions
There are notable exceptions where secular therapy can be effective. Examples follow.
First: The most obvious example is certain pediatric disorders. If, for example, your child's pediatrician recommends behavioral, educational, family or other specialized therapies for your child's Autism Spectrum Disorder, follow his instructions without delay. Specialized treatments are available that can make a big difference in your child's life.
Exception: I would not agree to giving the child psychotropic drugs.
However, like many other disorders, the cause may be demonic. In such cases, it is necessary to cast out the demon(s).
Second: Talking to anyone who is supportive, including a compassionate secular therapist, will likely be helpful. Expressing your feelings, when you feel the need, releases pent up emotions and reduces stress.
Even serious psychotic disorders can show major improvement, without drugs, as a result of caring, supportive, personal relationships and conflict resolution. The Open Dialogue method, which originated in Finland, is a particularly salient example. Unfortunately, I've never seen this model practiced in the United States.
Third: Support groups can be useful, even secular ones. Especially when the group consists of individuals with a common concern. These can provide useful advice and insights, enable you to learn how to better relate to other people and help you to better cope with stressful events.
Fourth: drug and alcohol programs. Many people benefit from secular programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) or Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.). These programs provide useful support, encouragement and accountability. One outstanding quality of A.A. is that they encourage you to have an accountability partner or "sponsor." This is an extremely valuable element which is lacking in some otherwise good Christian drug and alcohol programs. However, Christian drug and alcohol programs produce superior results.
Fifth: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This is the best secular therapeutic model widely used. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is helpful for a variety of issues. The important thing to note here is that your self-talk is very important. And this is true whether you're a Christian or not.
Information on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely available on the internet.
Two cautions, in regard to CBT, follow.
1) While CBT is the best secular therapy, it does not work as well as the Bible. The information on this website produces superior results.
2) Anything that distracts you, for very long, from the Word of God, including CBT homework assignments, will be detrimental to your making progress. {1 Corinthians 1:17, 2:5}
Sixth: bereavement. Bereavement clients report satisfaction with, and lasting benefits from, secular therapy. These clients simply need a compassionate listener, and most secular therapists are able to fulfill this need. The only real concern here is that clients often end up being given psychotropic drugs, which are especially inappropriate for bereavement clients.
Seventh: Sometimes, secular therapists can identify the cause of a problem and provide useful suggestions. One of my neighbors developed painful blisters on his toes which his doctor had no treatment for. The neighbor was referred to a psychologist. The psychologist noted that the blisters had developed only after his client had started doing volunteer work at a suicide prevention program. The psychologist suggested that he discontinue this volunteer work—which he did. The blisters soon went away.
Finally: some cautions.
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." {Colossians 2:8 NKJV}
Everything you learn in therapy is not true or even helpful. Therapy, especially psychoanalytic therapy, can be very harmful.
If your therapist encourages you to share every thought that comes in to your mind, WATCH OUT. No one should do this.
If your therapist teaches you anything contrary to the Bible, it's time to look for someone else.
Counseling, without a biblical framework, can be damaging.
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