http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5776120Oh my.
The mental health business is booming on Skins's island.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:41 AM
Original message
So, I finally found a new therapist and they're a "faith based" organization apparently
I swear if I didn't have irony in my life I wouldn't know what to do with myself lol. The friend of mine who hooked me up with them goes to this therapist herself and she did tell me the woman is a licensed Reverend, but will complete her PHD and will be a full psychiatrist within the year. I was assured that her faith doesn't intrude upon her work, but as I finished answering the preliminary questions on the phone today the receptionist told me and I'm trying to quote exactly here:
"Well as you know we're a faith based organization and we love the lord here"
I pretty much stopped him right there and said, "Well frankly, I don't consider myself a Christian and I was told that wouldn't be a factor in my therapy. Is that a problem?"
I was assured it is not and that they don't try to force anything down anyone's throats, but now I'm wary. Like I don't have enough trust issues with Christians or Doctors for that matter.
I told the intake guy that my spirituality probably would be a big part of our discussions but I wanted assurances that they would be viewed objectively.
Don't even get me started on how it ****s with me how a person can be a Reverend and a Psychiatrist at the same time and not go insane themselves.
For those that don't know me here on DU I consider myself an eclectic pagan, having rejected a fervent belief in Christianity over 20 years ago. So what do you think? Should I wear fire retardant clothing when I go for my sessions?
billyoc (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:43 AM
Response to Original message
1. You'd be better off with a bag of fortune cookies or a Magic 8-ball.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:44 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Problem being is that they aren't admissable evidence in a disability hearing.
Ah yes, that's why the shadowy primitive is doing this, but one already knew that.
imdjh (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:48 AM
Response to Reply #2
9. They are if you throw them at the hearing officers
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:50 AM
Response to Reply #9
15. I may have to resort to that to win
I have no faith in my lawyer either, who hasn't returned my calls in about five months. I'm not even sure he still is my lawyer.
Hmmm. Some smart lawyer's already decided the shadowy primitive's just lazy, not depressed.
Whoa_Nelly (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:44 AM
Response to Original message
3. Would have to wonder if the therapist takes those "non-believer" patient issues to the congregation, or Bible study group, so they can all pray over it
I'd be pretty skeptical about that particular therapist as well.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:46 AM
Response to Reply #3
8. If they want to pray for me let them knock their socks off I guess?
Can't hurt right? If they're praying I find Jesus, they might want to save their energy. Met him, liked him, his dad was kind of an asshole, so I had to stop going to his house.
Whoa_Nelly (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:50 AM
Response to Reply #8
14. I would be more concerned about breach of confidentiality
Personally, I would keep on moving along to find another therapist.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #14
18. I've run out of choices.
Everyone is either full or too expensive.
TCJ70 (558 posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #3
36. What makes this therapist any more likely...
...to breach confidentiality than a therapist who just attends a church? Or goes bowling? Or eats dinner? Or hangs out with friends? Or drinks? Or (insert any other thing people do here)?
Anyone can agree to confidentiality, but that doesn't mean they'll keep it. I know this is a pretty cynical thought process, but what guarantee is there, really, for confidentiality?
Whoa_Nelly (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:47 PM
Response to Reply #36
48. Am just wondering because have had (former) friends who went this route becasue of the (cult) church they joined, and during the time that they went that direction in their lives, they told me proudly about how the reverend/therapist would help them pray over their client issues with other members of the church because only God and Jesus can give the ultimate guidance and answer.
While not a therapy issue, these friends took almost two months of praying over and discussing my marriage and separation from a very abusive husband before telling me they had difficulty in deciding to tell me that he had bought a gun, AND that they were letting him stay weekends with them while they figured it out. These were friends of over 20 years to me, and only knew my (ex) husband for about two years because I had married him. My spouse at the time hated guns, stated he would never have one, and then went and bought a .357 from a pawn shop when I decided to get a restraining order against him because of his abuse toward me and my son.
The final decision to finally tell me my life and my son's life was in danger was made after spouse began attending their church and the reverend gave his final word that Jesus did indeed need to intervene in this situation, and that I should probably be told with the hope that I would seek salvation through their church as well.
Was a pretty frightening moment in my life when they finally told me about him and the gun.
They also were no longer people I could trust as friends.
It was very sad as well.
That's why I bring up the possibility of breach of confidentialty.
DemocratSinceBirth (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
4. I Think You Mean He Will Be A Full Psychologist Within The Year
A psychologist has a PhD. A psychiatrist has a M.D.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with advanced education in psychiatry.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #4
13. My bad. She is working on her M.D. then.
She's doing her residency with another doctor I used to see, that I had to fire because of, in my opinion, an extremely negligent act on his part.
Yes, I live in the shit-storm belt of the medical community.
Arugula Latte (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:46 AM
Response to Original message
7. I'd find another therapist if I were you.
As Mark Twain said: "Faith is believing what you know ain't so." Who knows what mythology will enter the therapist's thinking and influence your treatment.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #7
22. Bottom of the barrel. I don't get into therapy now my SSID case is screwed.
ColbertWatcher (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:03 PM
Response to Original message
26. Are there no other doctors?
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:04 PM
Response to Reply #26
28. If you have 200+ bucks for an hour (usually 45 minutes at best). I don't.
There's some squibble-squabbling about homocidal Buddhists, &c., &c., &c.
sailor65 (855 posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:47 PM
Response to Original message
49. Just a hunch here.....
"Problem being is that they aren't admissable evidence in a disability hearing."
"I have no faith in my lawyer either, who hasn't returned my calls in about five months. I'm not even sure he still is my lawyer."
"Bottom of the barrel. I don't get into therapy now my SSID case is screwed."
You might consider someone else for another reason entirely; a counselor who is a Christian, if genuinely so, is probably not going to be as likely to do for you what it appears you're looking for here.
If you have a genuine need and an honest case, how about dropping the fear card in the trash and give the counselor a shot, since he or she has to have the same credentials as any other counselor whose "Testimony is admissible."
Just a thought........
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 12:58 PM
Response to Reply #49
51. I've said through this whole thread that I'm going to give her a chance.
I knew before I called she was clergy, just the whole preaching on the first call thing creeped me out.
KittyWampus (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #49
64. Well, one might come to the conclusion this thread wasn't about getting advice but trashing Christians.
Mayberry Machiavelli (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #69
76. I think you may have things mixed up. You have to have an M.D. already to even BE in psychiatry.
Seems to be some confusion in what you've posted.
You have to have graduated medical school (i.e. be a doctor already) with a M.D. (allopathic) or D.O. (osteopathic) degree to enroll in a psychiatry residency, which is 4 years of "postgraduate" residency training AFTER getting the medical degree.
So if this person is "about to be a doctor" and training with someone in your community, I'm guessing the most likely situation is that they are getting a Ph.D. in Psychology and going to be a psychologist.
shadowknows69 (1000+ posts) Wed Jun-03-09 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #76
77. Actually I don't care if she's a Gypsy with a crystal ball. I just want a good therapist.
But it was my understanding from my friend that she was soon to be a full PSYCHIATRIST, whatever steps she may have had to take to get there. My friend is a mental health disability advocate so I take her word for it. As I said the error in terminology was my own ignorance.
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