Igros Moshe (YD II #57) Question Treating mental illmess with therapist who is a heretic or irreligious? Answer In my opinion one should not go to them for treatment since the treatment is not through drugs but through speaking to determine what bad thoughts the person is suffering from. The therapist gives advice based on that evaluation. Consequently there is concern that he will say to do things which are against the Torah or modesty. The reason they are typically used in medical issues is because there drugs are used for treatment which are not related to ideology and beliefs. The prohibition to be cured by heretics is only because of the concern that they will utilize the name of idolatry. The concern here is that they will say heresy and nivul peh. However in the case of a professional that the parents are confident that he won’t say anything against religion then it might be possible to trust him not to lie. Consequently it is best to find a religious therapist but if there isn’t one to have him promise not to talk about religion.
Nivul peh...as in subjects of a sxual nature?
ReplyDeleteLet's say someone has anxiety but does not want to use psychiatric drugs. It's a question of trial and error.
There may be therapists who focus on the subconscious.
Is discussing childhood, parents etc a problem halachically?
But it's interesting that Rav Moshe recognises the field of psychology.
Rav shach considered it all heretical