I had in interesting session with my
therapist. The “god” question came up.
She said that believing in a god helps her
cope with things. That it also helps her become
a better person.
I asked her if without a god would she be a
terrible person otherwise?
I mentioned the parts of the bible that disturb me.
She said that she only takes into account the
good parts that help her.
She said that is “her placebo” wether its
true or not. Then she said it could even be a rock.
I said so you can believe in a rock?
She said yes if it helps me cope.
She said whatever helps us cope in life that’s
not harmful to us.
Well next session I will explain why the “god”
belief is harmful. My time with her ran out.
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42 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I'm not fully qualified yet, but I feel I could do a better job for you already.
Firstly she should forensically regress your life history and observe you, your spoken and body language. Then investigate the route through what you need for whatever your psychological answer is.
Sofabeast
Level 7
Oct 26, 2020
1
I have yet to find a secular therapist. You are right.
When you say "forensically regress your life history", are you talking about recovered memory therapy? I only ask because there is no scientific verification of recovered memory, and a ton of evidence that it leads to confabulation and the construction of false memories.
@Paul4747 No, forensic unpacking of the subject's life through observable evidence. We pick behaviours through socialisation throughout the journey of life. By observing these a good psychologist can unpack and discover hidden secrets to the triggers of our problems.
Trying to find out who we were in a past life is scientifically 'bollocks'. Why are so many people in their past lives Cleopatra or a handmaiden thereof?
At the moment the science of psychology cannot confirm that forensic unpacking of a subject's psyche will produce true answers as us psychologists will be subjective in our findings no matter how hard we try to be objective. For myself, it is the best method we have to use though. I am currently working with a number of clients where much of their life secrets have been left unstudied, yet these are crucial to producing mechanisms to give them greater autonomy, fun and control of themselves.
I thought religion was supposed to be left out of therapy? I'd get a new therapist.
UrsiMajor
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
7
Yes I agree. I will be getting a different one that’s for sure.
You going to spend your therapy session arguing with your therapist about why you think it's bad for her to believe in a god? Are you distracting yourself from what brought you to therapy in the first place?
thinkwithme
Level 7
Oct 26, 2020
6
No I’m not distracting myself from therapy.
In the one year of seeing her it’s the first time
that “god” or religion has ever come up.
She just made that one particular “god” comment.
I wasn’t going to just “agree” and things just expanded from there. I was trying to get her to think about what she was saying and how silly she sounded, and she’s the “professional”.
@Wildgreens Parts of the bible could be love one another and maybe she embraces that philosophy. Maybe to her god is the universe. Might be better for the relationship to either try to understand or accept that we don't always understand each other rather than insult her.
@thinkwithme
Thank you for sharing this advice.
That’s helpful thank you.
@Wildgreens you are welcome
I think you're getting more outta the responses to your post than your therapy session AND it costs way less. 
silverotter11
Level 9
Oct 27, 2020
4
It sounds like the therapist needs conversion therapy.
BDair
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
6
Very much so.
It's a shame that you can't find a therapist in your area who is expert in all faiths, including humanism or atheism. Is it possible you could find a tele-health session with someone more suitable to your sense of beliefs?
If not, can you explain to your current therapist, that you shouldn't have to waste your time with her defending your beliefs or proving that you've done your reserarch and like many educated people, you are seeking more refined help than a religious approach.
Can you explain that you are seeking her help for ways you can help yourself understand and cope with problems on your own, not by reliance on a mythical creature. She should know that what works for her might not work for you, so she should be able to meet you half way.
Can she nurture your feeling that strength comes from within, and you are seeking ways to make that happen? Can she validate your feelings, and help you to create a more balanced and harmonious vibe in your head regarding your troubles?
Charge her with figuring out a way she can help you in a secular manner, without invoking gods or supernatural interference as a way to blame or credit your failures and triumphs.
True help for coping with the trials of life would work for anyone whether they are a person of faith in the supernatural, or a person of faith in their own abilities to overcome the challenges, with proper guidance.
It's her job to help you see that proper guidance and not to pass the buck to a fictional character. She should be able to set aside her beliefs to meet you where you are, believing in reality and seeking natural person-owned solutions.
Julie808
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
5
Whoa! Atheism is not a belief.
@Gareth It's the pesky Oxford comma.
This is very helpful thank you, it’s something
for me to analyze for sure.
So your therapist is opening up to you, is she? Who's the real therapist in this scenario?
p-nullifidian
Level 8
Oct 27, 2020
4
Time fo a new therapist.
That was very unprofessional and unethical.
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
4
I agree.
@Wildgreens maybe she is provoking you to quit so she can scam other patients for more money than your plan pays her for
I'm sure it will help you cope to have that discussion and explain an alternate view to her. Then it's time to go, as she has violated a standard of therapeutic support.
tinkercreek
Level 8
Oct 27, 2020
3
How much do you charge this therapist for an hour?
PondartIncbendog
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
3
But you pay her ?
Buddha
Level 8
Oct 26, 2020
2
I have not been able to find a secular therapist.
I’m in the bible belt.
@Wildgreens That's enough to drive you crazy right there, ha ha
I find that using this venue to proselytize is unethical. Counselors meet people at their most vulnerable and should realize what a responsibility that is. I'm glad you're stronger than this.
Hicks66
Level 7
Oct 26, 2020
3
Thank you, first time that she ever mentioned a god
and I have been seeing her for a year.
So I was surprised.
Sounds like you reversed the roles and became the therapist to a confused believer.
Zoltans_Queen
Level 6
Oct 29, 2020
2
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