www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall OCD

Hello,

A person that I know that needs help with OCD disorder. It was recommended for this person to see a psychotherapist. From your personal experience, do you believe that the psychotherapist has to be a Christian? Would the person with OCD get the benefit from seeing a secular psychotherapist?

Thank you

Has to be? No.

Does it help if they are at least vaguely theist? Yes.

An atheistic therapist is often going to be hostile to religious praxis involving repetitive prayers. Even some protestants will be.

The closer the therapist is in religious views to the patient, the easier it will be to maintain appropriate praxis without interference.

I think faith-based counseling is the way to go. In my area, we have several Samaritan Counseling Centers.

You could Google for your area, or call your local mental health care provider for a referral.

Catholic Charities may have a counseling service or be able to refer you to a Christian therapist.

As one coming from a family with several who were OCD, I can say that it is not OCD. It is CDO, in alphabetical order, like it's supposed to be. My mother had the worst case of it I have seen. Nothing helped, from drugs to therapy. She kept it all her life. If anything, it got worse as she got older.

One of the members of a list I have been on for years, suggested this person for someone on the list. Maybe they can help. She said they belong to the same parish. counceling [exceptionalmarriages.com]

Thank you all for your replies, Pani Rose, I'll look into the link that you referred.

God bless you all and have a nice memorial day weekend.