Posted by whiterabbit on July 7, 2003, at 11:07:55
In reply to Therapist Question, posted by giget on July 7, 2003, at 10:08:26
I'm mystified by your therapist's intentions. Maybe I'll ask my own therapist why your guy would do such a thing, if he was giving you a hard time for a specific therapist-like reason or if possibly your therapist has a personal bias against your particular religion. There are a few religions I'm not so wild about myself, BUT I believe in religious freedom UP to a point, I don't have an "anything goes" attitude. Like for instance, those people who watch their children
die for lack of medical attention because they believe the power of prayer alone will do the healing. When their children die, I think those people should go to prison. That's what I think.But unless you're involved in a situation like that, your religion is none of your therapist's business & I can't come up with any good reasons myself why your therapist would disapprove of something that brings you comfort & adds meaning to your life.
Still, if your therapist has been good for you up to this point, maybe you should reconsider ditching him right away. Maybe you misinterpreted his meaning or motive, or maybe the guy was just having a terrible day & he let it get the best of him. If I was you, I would forget the religious discussion altogether - there's a reason that traditionally, religion & politics weren't discussed in polite company. Unless you're having a problem (besides him) that involves your religious beliefs, then why bring it up at all?
You're paying good money for your therapist's time & you shouldn't have to use it defending your religious preferences.If you're so upset that you can't force yourself to just let it go, write him a letter explaining your feelings & bring it with you to your next appointment. Don't give it to him until you're ready to leave, or you'll be paying for the time it takes for him to read & digest the letter & come up with his response, which is what you're trying to avoid. If he brings up the subject tell him you would prefer not to discuss religion right now and go on to the next subject.
THEN you can discuss your letter during the session after that, if you want to. You should be able to talk about whatever YOU want to talk about because it's your dime. That's what I think.
-Gracie
poster:whiterabbit
thread:239837
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030704/msgs/239840.html