Christians and Psychologists

Message / Question

Should Christians see psychologists? I ask because some Christians say that you shouldn’t.... why do some people say that?

Response

Psychology, like other types of medical (and paramedical) treatment, is generally a very legitimate treatment to employ. There is no doubt that some forms of treatment employed by medical professionals, may be unacceptable to many Christians (e.g. hypnosis as a form of therapy) but such treatments are in the minority.

There is a distinction, that many people fail to make, between psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychology is the study of behaviour and mind that attempt to understand the role of mental functions and social behaviour. Most psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role, practicing in clinical, counselling, or school settings. This should not be confused with Psychiatry, which is a branch of medicine devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, study and treatment of mental disorders.

It is true that some Christians speak against psychological and psychiatric treatments, except where there are clear grounds for dispute (e.g. hypnosis as mentioned above), a lot of the objections that people have is based on fear and ignorance. I would certainly counsel people to seek assistant from a psychologist if it was warranted by their circumstances and/or mental health.