Christian Therapist

[Fadeaway]

I am on disability now, but I got the paperwork for my cat 2 years before I got on disability. I did a google search for you and could not find anything stating you had to be on disability to have a therapy animal. However, I saw plenty of things stating a PTSD diagnosis qualified.

I have had to move a lot recently due to my husbands job and I don't really keep track of the paperwork, so I have had to get multiple letters in the last few years. In fact I have to get a new one tomorrow because I am moving again. I'll ask my therapist about whether there is a disability requirement when I see her tomorrow

 

[falling_wave]

@falling_wave as a Catholic, I can only assume the reason you feel this way, is...

Now that I think of it I had seen years ago in her profile she did her undergrad at a Catholic school. I never put two and two together but that would explain it. I'm perfectly good with her being a catholic. I always thought it was her mannerism which makes no sense really but is all positive.

 

[Rosalia]

I am on disability now, but I got the paperwork for my cat 2 years before I got on disability. I did a...

I'd really appreciate that! Thank you! It's just tough because some days I feel like they're nothing wrong with me at all and then there's days like today when I feel like I never want to leave my house ever again. Some days trying to apply for disability doesn't sound so bad. My symptoms aren't nearly bad enough for me to qualify and I know I'll probably be okay, but I just spiral so hard sometimes to the point where I just want to curl up into a ball and disappear. I don't know how I ever managed without my boyfriend. Today was a bad day. :'(

 

[Suzetig]

I think there's a difference between a therapist who happens to be a Christian and someone who practices as a Christian therapist. The first should keep their faith system well out of your therapy - in both instances where my therapist was a Christian I found out because of a throw away comment rather than because they introduced it into session. Christian therapists/counsellors however have a theory and process of work where their faith is inherent to their practice because it informs their understanding of human growth and development, psychopathology and healing. I'm happy to work with the first group and run like hell from the second.

 

[Kailani]

I have had 3 christian therapists; all very sweet but only found one to be really helpful and i think she was a therapist who just happened to be christian. Pastors have been far better. if you have had bad experiences, maybe u need another therapist; just therapist; denomination unknown. So sorry you are stressed by her apparent flakiness!!! i also would go to medical docs with the letter she gave; they know the law.

 

[Fadeaway]

After talking with my T, is it possible that your T is confusing a service animal with an emotional support or therapy animal? You do not have to be disabled for a therapy animal. Therapy animals are just that a therapy or treatment. Your therapist would not need to put you on disability to tell you to practice mindfulness or grounding exercises.

For someone with depression their treatment could include anti-depressants and spending time caring for their animal to give meaning to their life. Part of my treatment is that when I am feeling anxious I am to hold my cat on my lap and concentrate on the feel of her fur and and the sound of her purr.

A service animal on the other hand is an animal that has been trained to perform a specific task or tasks.

 

[Rosalia]

After talking with my T, is it possible that your T is confusing a service animal with an emotional sup...

That's what I said! But she said no, it was for emotional support animals. She did she spoke to two other therapists and a lawyer. But the thing is, I just don't trust her anymore. I told her I wasn't coming back in our last appointment. I didn't tell her my full reasoning, but I think she could figure it out.

 

[deleted]

Yes! I was wondering this happened only in my area or if others were having the same problem. I personally had two previous therapists who were Christians and they did not help me at all unfortunately. They were very nice people but they spent our sessions talking about the "power of prayer" or things like that (which I had been praying for over 3 years will no help) not helpful at all. I finally found a good, unbiased therapist and my recovery has taken off!

 

[kmfdm]

Unfortunately your therapist was within her rights to refuse to give you legally binding paperwork. It happens all the time with doctors. That is, some doctors will refuse to fill out disability paperwork for patients and others will refuse to take on patients who have issues related to accidents and such that are going to litigation. My advice? Go to a doctor and get a note from an M.D. They have far more clout in the world than therapists, and something is much more likely to be seen as medically necessary if it comes from a medical doctor and not some fluffy therapist.

 

[Rosalia]

Unfortunately your therapist was within her rights to refuse to give you legally binding paperwork. It happens all the t...

Medical doctors do not have the authority to write a prescription for an emotional support animal. It must come from a mental health professional who is currently treating me for PTSD. My previous therapist had no qualms with writing legally binding letters. He didn't believe that ESAs were beneficial to treating PTSD, and that's why he never wrote me the letter, which is totally within his rights. What I don't understand is why a therapist would write a letter to a landlord without expecting scrutiny. Why would she not check first whether or not it was within her power to write that letter before actually doing so? And I still don't buy her reasoning, because it's the first I've heard of it after doing extensive research.

 

[kmfdm]

Medical doctors do not have the authority to write a prescription for an emotional support animal. It mu...

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat for PTSD. A psychiatrist who treats you for PTSD can recommend an emotional support animal. I'm not sure where you're getting this information from, but it does not seem to be correct. A medical doctor has more power than a therapist. They have ultimate "prescription power" while therapists have very little. In the world of disabilities, therapist input is oftentimes not even necessary as doctors have the ultimate say. Many organizations including the government only care what the MD has to say as a therapist is unqualified to diagnose or prescribe anything official.