n/t

open mind that others may believe differently than you and their time is about them, not you?

who is convinced God wants them to do something not in their best interest, for example, suppress their same sex desires? Their parents, siblings, pastor and fellow believers tell them they are going to Hell unless they "repent" and become someone they can never be.

The psychiatrist should be a blank slate. To the extent it is humanly possible, nothing about them should even be in the room. Whether they are an atheist or a buddhist or anything else, it should make absolutely no difference. They most certainly should not be wearing or displaying anything that would indicate what they are in terms of religion or anything else for that matter, unless it reflects their education, training and experience.

OTOH, if they have specific prejudices and would pre-judge someone based on those, they should be very aware of that and not participate in any treatment in which they know they can't be as neutral as humanly possible.

and I basically said the same thing.

More and more I am seeing therapists trained in the last 10 to 15 years not follow these basic protocols. They are bringing religion, non-religion, ideology, political stances, personal biases, etc. in to the therapeutic relationship.

We used to call it counter-transference, and it was the hallmark of a therapist who had not done the work on themselves before attempting to help another.

I have been an 'atheist' counselor for over 25 years now. I never discuss it, certainly not in my practice, and neither do I discuss any Buddhist teachings I have had either. I have done the personal therapy as well to know my own biases and while there are very few, I am aware of those few I may still possess.

qualifications and licensing for some who hang a shingle and call themselves "therapists".

Lack of true supervision or the expectation that you will pursue your own therapy.

It's a very bad thing, as some of the people who are working as therapists are in more distress than their patients.

Of course, you would never discuss your opinions on religion. I would expect nothing else.

I have interns who look at me cross-eyed when I ask how much personal therapy they have had? They can balk at the fact that as part of my supervision requirements, I want to discuss their issues and life not just the clients they bring to me for discussion and direction. I have a supervisor whom I work with twice a month. One hour is devoted to problem cases, and the second hour is devoted to what is happening in my life. It feels like a losing battle but I try.

At least some are getting that much.

Years ago, while seeing a therapist I brought up my problem with religions. It had to do with finding myself living in a community that was ensconced in a variety of Christian religions. Socially it was difficult to fit in. He took it personally as he was a Christian and suggested I brought it up because I wanted to insult him.

I would not go to a Christian therapist after that experience. So many people identify with their religion above all else and physical/mental health professionals can do that too.

I wouldn't see any therapist who advertised themselves as being christian or atheist or of any particular religious orientation.

it was a referral from my GP and his religion did not come up until later. Maybe one should ask about it in the first appointment.

the issues you brought with you.

Bad therapist, imo.

This was just a bad therapist.

He had not worked through his own issues and thereby reacted to yours. I am sorry you had that experience but like any profession, there are good, bad, and otherwise therapists as well.

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons and the welfare of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur among psychologists' obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm. Because psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard against personal, financial, social, organizational or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. Psychologists strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.

the question becomes completely irrelevant.

A family I used to see often in our practice (I am the NP there and I was the mom's favorite) announced at their 3rd daughter's 18 month visit that they had decided not to do anymore immunizations. This was surprising, as the 2 older daughters were fully immunized. I inquired as to the reasons, and was told that their church had told them they should not, because immunizations were polluting God's perfect creation. I knew immediately I didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of changing their minds, but I did suggest they might look at some research to check on that outlook. At the next visit, the dad showed me a book entitled Immunizations - Lies and Deception. Not exactly the literature I'd had in mind.

They continued to come to our practice, and had 2 more babies - both boys. No shots for these little guys.
the dad usually came to all the visits. One day, when the mom came in by herself with the children, one of my physician colleagues was doing the checkups on the little boys, and politely but very firmly told the mom she was putting her children at risk by not immunizing them. It was later in the afternoon. As I was getting ready to leave, one of the office nurses said, "Mrs. X is waiting for you in the parking lot." Sure enough, her van was parked right next to my car, so there was no way to avoid an encounter.

The mom burst into tears when I approached. Turned out, she really preferred to immunize her children, but their church was one of those "husband is the head of he household" churches, and she didn't feel able to stand up to him on this. She couldn't just go ahead behind his back and get the shots, because it would show up on the insurance statement, and she didn't have enough money to go to the county health department and get them at reduced cost. I felt really bad for her, but there was nothing I could do.

Not too long before they stopped coming to our practice, the eldest daughter, who was 7 at the time, sneezed while I was examining one of her siblings. She piped up, "Oh, God must have wanted me to sneeze." It bothered me that her young mind was being so conditioned, and I allowed a small professional lapse when I responded, "I think God might have bigger decisions to make than that."

Slightly OT, but not too much. 10 years ago, I went into a private driving school to register our older son for Driver's Ed. Directly behind the desk was a HUGE picture of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns. The little business card holder had a crucifix on it. There was at least one other overt Christian symbol, but I don't now remember what it was. Before starting the paperwork, I commented that their office décor made a very clear statement, and asked the proprietors if students of other faiths were welcome at their establishment. "Oh, of course," was the answer. I couldn't help but wonder, and the giant Jesus picture was rather off-putting. The place did not advertise itself as "the Christian Driving School."

Was there any discussion in your office whether this presented a case of negligence of the medical needs of the children?

...a child's health, in Illinois it is not reportable. We do have the parents sign a refusal to vaccinate statement, acknowledging that they are going against our professional advice.

'The bottom line for me is a humanistic approach to all patients, regardless of their background or creed. It’s important to respect an individual’s particular language and style of relating to their universe, in order to make a therapeutic connection. Given the pain and suffering of humanity, I understand why people are religious, even if I don’t find answers in it for myself. If others do, it is still my job to encourage that healing process in any form. And if others don’t, I am strongly there for them as well.'


Medical treatment of any sort should not be confined to those who share one's personal beliefs - whether with regard to religion, politics, or favourite football team.

There may be some patients who would only feel comfortable being treated by someone within their faith: that is up to the patient (within the limits of what medical resources are available). But a doctor should not discriminate against people because they are religious any more than they should discriminate people because they are atheist/gay/immigrants/etc.