"No counselor worth their salt would try to convince one way or the other that there is or isn't a heaven. "
That depends.
The key is 'worth their salt' Here we have a Christian Telephone counselling service called "Living Hope" That's exactly the kind of thing they would do,. I learned about them from a couple of their ex clients. Eg "you're a Christian aren't you? How can you possibly be depressed" They would not suggest abortion as an option to say a pregnant teen.
Having been a telephone counsellor, I agree that a good telephone counsellor is non directive. That is not the case with psychologists and psychiatrists; such counselling tends to be directive.. EG They will challenge delusional beliefs. In our friend's case, they would try to discover the underlying cause of the fear.
My current psychiatrist challenged my atheism, very briefly, very lightly in the early stages of my treatment.. My perception was and is that she thought some kind of spiritual belief would be of therapeutic value. She in no way suggested any specific beliefs. Nor has he treatment been tinged with obvious Christian beliefs.
Over the years, I have seen a 'goodly number' of shrinks and psychologists. Have been seeing my current psychiatrist for five years. These day it is every few months, for 'maintenance'.
That depends.
The key is 'worth their salt' Here we have a Christian Telephone counselling service called "Living Hope" That's exactly the kind of thing they would do,. I learned about them from a couple of their ex clients. Eg "you're a Christian aren't you? How can you possibly be depressed" They would not suggest abortion as an option to say a pregnant teen.
Having been a telephone counsellor, I agree that a good telephone counsellor is non directive. That is not the case with psychologists and psychiatrists; such counselling tends to be directive.. EG They will challenge delusional beliefs. In our friend's case, they would try to discover the underlying cause of the fear.
My current psychiatrist challenged my atheism, very briefly, very lightly in the early stages of my treatment.. My perception was and is that she thought some kind of spiritual belief would be of therapeutic value. She in no way suggested any specific beliefs. Nor has he treatment been tinged with obvious Christian beliefs.
Over the years, I have seen a 'goodly number' of shrinks and psychologists. Have been seeing my current psychiatrist for five years. These day it is every few months, for 'maintenance'.
