Q&A: Psychological Treatment?
Psychological Treatment?
Question
Hello, Rabbi,
As a Jew, I’m hesitant about using psychology as a therapeutic tool — is my concern justified?
Let me explain:
Not long ago I went to a psychologist… I told him that I had come, among other reasons, because of a major difficulty I experience in trying to achieve my goals in my studies.
After listening carefully, and much to my surprise, the psychologist recommended that I “let go” because “why keep making an effort if the pain is so great?” I was a bit stunned, but I listened to him to the end.
Later he told me that I need to recognize my unique qualities and my special distinctiveness in relation to my surroundings. After he emphasized and repeated the idea, I told him that thoughts of this kind border on idolatry.
To that he replied: “If that’s the case, then I have nothing to offer you except idolatry.”
Maybe this was just one therapist? That doesn’t sound likely.
Answer
First, I don’t see what this has to do with idolatry. You may simply disagree with his approach, or think it doesn’t suit you. So what? Sometimes it really is correct to recommend that someone let go of something. It is beyond me what idolatry you saw here.
Secondly, what does this have to do with Judaism? You may simply disagree with his approach, or think it doesn’t suit you. So leave him. But it has no connection to Judaism. By the way, it is quite possible that he told you he had nothing to offer you not because that advice was the only thing he had. If you had said that it didn’t seem right to you or didn’t fit you, he might have tried something else. It may be that he was put off by your labeling him as idolatry — and concluded that with such an approach he had no one to work with (and rightly so, in my opinion).
Third, not all therapists are the same. He gives you advice, and you have the right not to accept it or to leave him. Why should that mean disqualifying all of psychology? I’ve already written several times that personally I don’t have all that much confidence in psychology and psychologists, unrelated to Judaism and idolatry, but apparently there are cases where it helps. If there is a problem, it is worth trying them. That is certainly better than doing nothing at all.
In conclusion, if you feel you have a problem, I do suggest that you try a psychologist. You should listen to what he says, but you do not have to agree with him. But it is worth not dismissing it outright, and trying to ignore your initial biases against psychology. Go with it and try to make progress. If there is something that doesn’t seem right to you — just tell him. Without idolatry and intimidating labels. If you feel it isn’t helping, tell him that, and if it continues you can leave or look for someone else. There are also religious psychologists, and that may make it easier for you to accept them (and not see them as idol worshippers).
Discussion on Answer
Psychiatry is no less far-fetched than psychology. Both fields are mostly pseudoscience. In my opinion, only the behavioral school might deserve to be treated differently.
A,
The results on the ground show otherwise. Psychiatric intervention can save lives, literally. As for the effectiveness of talk therapy, that’s something one can debate, but regarding medication treatment one can simply present statistical data on its successes. I work with a large number of people whose lives were completely transformed by medication. For example: a person who was unable to carry on a normal conversation with me because of possession by a dead person who had taken over him, is able after taking the medication to talk with me for hours, go to work, and enjoy his life.
The effectiveness of medication beyond the placebo effect in antidepressants is not sufficiently known. The harm from medication often outweighs the benefit.
There is no scientific evidence at all for the biochemical theory.
New findings even weaken the theory.
I suggest you read the series of articles on Psychology Hebrew, “Psychoactive Drugs Are Not What You Thought.”
I personally know quite a few people who were harmed by the medications.
Studies show that they increase the risk of suicidality, anhedonia, PSSD, and more.
And worst of all, today they give them to everyone, even if they don’t really need them. Sorry, but the field is very problematic and quite primitive.
By the way, the best successes come from the cognitive-behavioral field.
Anonymous,
I think it would be worthwhile to bring this up with the therapist. It may be that you didn’t like his idea; maybe he’s wrong and maybe not. In any case, it’s worth raising it with him. The golden rule in therapy is that the client decides, not the psychologist. Psychologists also make mistakes (just like our mom and dad do…).
One more thing: you can always consult a doctor (a psychiatrist); usually medication-based solutions are helpful.
Wishing you success!