It is no shock to learn that a 2022 study found that those who found religion important were less likely “to seek help from a secular mental health therapist… than non-religious individuals when faced with mental health challenges.” Traditionally, Christian believers have been more likely to seek help from their priest or pastor or to utilise faith based or spiritual approaches to mental health issues.
Before proceeding further, let me emphasise that I am a big believer in the effectiveness of certain religious and spiritual approaches to our emotional and mental wellbeing. As a child and adolescent, I experienced first hand the power and relief of my mother’s prayers. Soon I learnt to pray myself and more than once felt the peace and security of knowing and trusting in God’s providence and protection. I have felt the uplifting and transforming experience of God’s mercy and forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession and the abiding peace that comes from the Eucharist and adoration. God’s grace is primary and ever present in each soul’s journey of healing and growth.
My question is not whether these practices are effective and transformative… they are. Rather, my question is whether there is room (or even necessity) for contemporary psychological therapy and counselling for Christians dealing with various emotional and mental issues. Can non-faith-based therapies help?
Sometimes, you will hear the comment from well meaning believers that someone who is living in the fullness of the Christian life should not be experiencing depression or anxiety. A Catholic might say, “Anyone who is living in a state of grace, going to Mass and confession regularly should not be experiencing depression.” A Christian may quote St Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice in the Lord always” or Christ’s command to not worry as proofs that a believer is not to experience depression or anxiety.
Yet the reality is that there are many who pray regularly, go to daily Mass, go regularly to confession, receive prayer from other believers, and who try to live a life of charity and faith who still find themselves dealing with various mental issues. Undoubtedly their devotion and discipline in these faith practices give them an abundance of grace and help, but the fight against these overwhelming emotions remains a daily battle for them.
Take for example the many young people who are struggling with pornography addiction. Having found themselves caught up in a compulsive behaviour, they sincerely desire to escape it; they pray, go to confession regularly, go to Mass and yet still find themselves caught up in a behaviour they detest.
While these spiritual disciplines are indispensable, it must be remembered that the human person consists of soul AND body. If someone was suffering a disease, they could rightly pray for relief or healing from the disease, but common sense would require that they also seek medical treatment. Similarly, in treating mental issues, a person should not only consider spiritual causes and responses, but possible physical causes such as chemical imbalances, psychological causes such as distortions in thought and social causes such as isolation. This is where therapy with a Christian counsellor who supports clients holistically can help.
An example of this can be seen in therapy for addiction. An effective holistic treatment for addiction would take a multi-faceted approach. Not only would one seek help and grace from God to overcome the addiction, but would put practical strategies in place to mitigate or avoid triggers for addiction, such as removing the object of addiction, seek to identify and heal the painful emotions from which the addicted person is trying to escape, assess the social environment of the addicted person, and would attempt to educate the addicted person as to the cycle of addiction. Indeed, two of the most important factors in overcoming addiction are receiving therapy and being part of a recovery group.
Similarly, the depressed or anxious should definitely seek God’s help to overcome these issues through prayer, Sacraments and other spiritual practices. At the same time, the physical, psychological and social elements should not be ignored but identified and addressed appropriately.
For the Christian, counselling (particularly with a counsellor who shares their religious views) should not be seen as competing with or an alternative to time tested spiritual practices, but as a helpful complement and integrated approach to addressing mental health issues.
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