Discussion My therapist want to convert me back to islam

[Anhaedra]

Hello. For context, I live in Egypt where the majority of the population are muslims. I started having sessions weekly with this therapist about 3 months ago when I got hospitalized for suicide ideation.
I want go into details of each session but in general she's a good therapist and a good person to talk to. However, almost every session she asks me about my religious beliefs, and my answer is the same everytime: I dont believe in god or an afterlife. I thought she would not comment on it but no. She called my beliefs "bad ideas" that needs to be treated. Every time she advices me to pray and read the Quran, and she asks me everytime if I did so but I tell her that I didnt.
I thought that was all she would do but I was wrong. Today she told me that on the next session she would bring a Sheikh (its like a muslim priest) to try to convince me back into islam. I told her that I dont want to meet with him but she said she already set the appointment.
After the session I felt so angry with her and decided not to go to her again but my parents recommended to keep going to her sessions as they saw improvements in my mental state.
I dont know what should I do now. Should I just meet with that Sheikh or not? Im more inclined to not go to her again if she insists on asking religious questions again.

 

[Dot]

Guss = up 2 u

If tht therpst hs bn helpng in othr wys & if meetng wth Sheik wll mke hr stp thn cn undrstnd goin2 thru wth meetng & tellng hr t/ stp aftr tht

@ th/ sme tme sh/ = nt respctng ur boundris whch = bg issu tbf & sh/ = pushng relign on u whn relign = caus of trma fr mny ppl

S/ cn undrstnd wantng t/ lk arnd fr othr therpsts

 

[LapseInTime]

Judging by the inclusion of such nudges to convert, I would really question what kind of "therapist" she is; therapy is about mental issues, not religious beliefs. If anything needs fixing, I don't think it should be the latter. Incorporating a Sheikh in your sessions; why? Is he part of the therapeutic process? Is the point of therapy to actually make you feel better or to get you to be a muslim? By what you said, it sounds like she's trying to kill two birds with one stone when she should be focusing purely on mental health and letting you decide whatever YOU want to do with regards to spirituality/religion.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

The problem is, both - the therapist and the sheikh - are brainwashed and believe that Islam is the one and only true religion and everyone who isn't Muslim will burn in hell. They are indoctrinated and don't have an objective view on the topic.

I don't think they can force you to believe that you don't believe in and anyway it won't help the mental health in my opinion rather the opposite. Everyone is free to believe whatever they want.

Maybe you can tell them if their almighty god created you the way you are he's the only one who has the power to change that - that, if a god exists at all.

 

[Innereye]

If she's imposing a treatment modality you haven't consented to then it's time to find another therapist. One without religious affiliation.

However, it might be a good idea to lie and say that you've reconverted yourself beforehand to avoid being labeled as an apostate.

 

[Buffy]

Meeting a sheikh is not worth your time. There is nothing the sheikh will do that will change your mind.

That therapist's main goal is not to help you in the way you need and want. Her primary motive is to bring you back to Islam. That seems to be her biggest concern, given how she is constantly pestering you about praying and reading the Quran even though you told her you're not a muslim anymore. She might see your suicidal ideation as a result of being an ex-Muslim. Many Muslims think that way. I think it's best to find another therapist.

 

[star.trip]

I'm very sorry that you are somehow forced to believe in something you don't believe in. I understand what you feel in some way I have lived that but with another religion. You can tell your therapist that for now you aren't ready to listen to what that sheikh wants to tell you, that you prefer to postpone it for when you really feel it. In theory, therapists just help you feel good about yourself but respect the person's beliefs. I thought therapists, didn't get into matters of beliefs. Lots of encouragement

 

[Anhaedra]

Meeting a sheikh is not worth your time. There is nothing the sheikh will do that will change your mind.

That therapist's main goal is not to help you in the way you need and want. Her primary motive is to bring you back to Islam. That seems to be her biggest concern, given how she is constantly pestering you about praying and reading the Quran even though you told her you're not a muslim anymore. She might see your suicidal ideation as a result of being an ex-Muslim. Many Muslims think that way. I think it's best to find another therapist.

I'm very sorry that you are somehow forced to believe in something you don't believe in. I understand what you feel in some way I have lived that but with another religion. You can tell your therapist that for now you aren't ready to listen to what that sheikh wants to tell you, that you prefer to postpone it for when you really feel it. In theory, therapists just help you feel good about yourself but respect the person's beliefs. I thought therapists, didn't get into matters of beliefs. Lots of encouragement

Thank you all for the replies, I came to the decision that ill not go to that therapist again, and if she called me im gonna ghost her.

 

[Deleted member 8119]

Guss = up 2 u

If tht therpst hs bn helpng in othr wys & if meetng wth Sheik wll mke hr stp thn cn undrstnd goin2 thru wth meetng & tellng hr t/ stp aftr tht

@ th/ sme tme sh/ = nt respctng ur boundris whch = bg issu tbf & sh/ = pushng relign on u whn relign = caus of trma fr mny ppl

S/ cn undrstnd wantng t/ lk arnd fr othr therpsts

Dude, she called their normal, non-pathological and widely accepted in psychology beliefs "bad ideas". If she can't even respect this, I don't wanna imagine what can she do with her field. Do you really think it's acceptable to take advantage of vulnerable situations to recruit to her shitty religion? (Islam has exaggerated anxiety rates compared to the rest of religions, btw.)

It's it up to them? Ignores professionalism and pushes their beliefs into work and "it's OK if the rest helps"???

More than you know people are so indoctrinated that they convince you atheism is some sort of illness: God is always first even if it means breaking the rules of your profession. When you start from a conclusion you will literally bend any science to fit into it. And if you think it's different you haven't seen many Muslim countries. Any ex-Muslim I've ever seen confirms this.

@Anhaedra your therapist has no sense of boundaries. No respect of your choices, and it's clearly using your bad situation to have power over it. This is absolutely unacceptable and you should change therapist ASAP: this is even dangerous. Last thing you need is all this new fear and uncertainty by someone trying to control your life completely (Islam as a religion affects every single aspect of your daily life), never OK to do and very unhealthy. Say no. And never come back there.

Thank you all for the replies, I came to the decision that ill not go to that therapist again, and if she called me im gonna ghost her.

Smart move.

 

[Dot]

Dude, she called their normal, non-pathological and widely accepted in psychology beliefs "bad ideas". If she can't even respect this, I don't wanna imagine what can she do with her field. Do you really think it's acceptable to take advantage of vulnerable situations to recruit to her shitty religion? (Islam has exaggerated anxiety rates compared to the rest of religions, btw.)

It's it up to them? Ignores professionalism and pushes their beliefs into work and "it's OK if the rest helps"???

Am nt dsgreein bt am nt goin2 mke a decsn fr sme1 els whn slf d/ nt flly knw thm or thr stuatn or n.e additnl contxt

Slf notd th/ trma tht cn cme frm relign & hw boundris hve bn crossd etc whch r perfctly gd reasns fr leavng tht therpst

Thank you all for the replies, I came to the decision that ill not go to that therapist again, and if she called me im gonna ghost her.

Nce

Nt sre wht directris u hve in ur area bt cld b wrth lookng fr seculr therpsts if thre r n.e

 

[Deleted member 8119]

am nt goin2 mke a decsn fr sme1 els whn slf d/ nt flly knw thm or thr stuatn or n.e additnl contxt

I understand, but there are more therapists OP can go. It's not like it was a permanent loss.

I think mental health is extremely serious and you shouldn't conform with such a risk, you should be looking for the best ones you can find. At least with how hard mental stuff is to treat. I personally don't feel comfortable letting something I think it's so dangerous as a choice either, no one knows how would it turned up, or if she would tried to get more terrain as therapy goes on.

 

[JoysoftheEmptiness]

Hello. For context, I live in Egypt where the majority of the population are muslims. I started having sessions weekly with this therapist about 3 months ago when I got hospitalized for suicide ideation.
I want go into details of each session but in general she's a good therapist and a good person to talk to. However, almost every session she asks me about my religious beliefs, and my answer is the same everytime: I dont believe in god or an afterlife. I thought she would not comment on it but no. She called my beliefs "bad ideas" that needs to be treated. Every time she advices me to pray and read the Quran, and she asks me everytime if I did so but I tell her that I didnt.
I thought that was all she would do but I was wrong. Today she told me that on the next session she would bring a Sheikh (its like a muslim priest) to try to convince me back into islam. I told her that I dont want to meet with him but she said she already set the appointment.
After the session I felt so angry with her and decided not to go to her again but my parents recommended to keep going to her sessions as they saw improvements in my mental state.
I dont know what should I do now. Should I just meet with that Sheikh or not? Im more inclined to not go to her again if she insists on asking religious questions again.

I'm religious myself, but I don't think or like the idea of religion being shoved down peoples throats. She should stick to doing her job, and leave religion out of this.

 

[Jack_Nimble]

Glad to see you decided not to see/ghost this therapist! She's a very terrible one albeit prob with good intentions. These are the dangers of religions. None are true. But all think if you're not on their team you're bad and against them.

 

[FeyB]

Thank you all for the replies, I came to the decision that ill not go to that therapist again, and if she called me im gonna ghost her.

IMO it's better if you explain the situation to your parents on how she is trying to convert you and the problem isn't therapy but THAT therapist so maybe you can change therapist.
I don't know your situation thus idk if what i said its possible to you.
best of luck <3

 

[Anhaedra]

IMO it's better if you explain the situation to your parents on how she is trying to convert you and the problem isn't therapy but THAT therapist so maybe you can change therapist.
I don't know your situation thus idk if what i said its possible to you.
best of luck <3

I can't tell my parents as they don't even know I'm an atheist. They might disown me if they knew or think I'm possessed.

 

[LaVieEnRose]

Maybe you can get therapy virtually from someone secular overseas.

 

[FireFox]

Even if you live in a muslim country your therapist is failing to adhere to medical ethics. A good therapist is not supposed to impose their personal beliefs on you. Therapists and medical professionals are supposed to be impartial.

If you wanted to convert back to Islam you would have visted a mosque and Iman and not be wasting your time at therapy.

Get a new therapist.

I'm religious myself, but I don't think or like the idea of religion being shoved down peoples throats. She should stick to doing her job, and leave religion out of this.

@JoysoftheEmptiness Even the bible said "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9:12

A therapist is supposed to be helping the person heal

 

[Cloud Busting]

I support your decision @anhedra to fire your therapist. Are you looking for another one?

I don't know anything about the separation of church and state laws in Egypt or if it's legal for a professional to push their views onto you. It's worth looking into and possibly reporting. I'd report her in America, but legally it's a safe decision here. Unsure if that's the case for you.

I know in America a court cannot legally mandate a person work a spiritual or religious program (such as the twelve steps.) That doesn't stop courts and clinics from heavily pushing the twelve steps onto people and not discussing their client's rights with them or other alternative programs.

Spirituality and religion can be helpful for many people in recovery. I find it integral to mine. I don't think this is ubiquitous and no one has the right to infringe on religious freedom. I'm sorry you went through that OP.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

@Anhaedra How r u? How is it going?

 

[Cloud Busting]

These are the dangers of religions. None are true. But all think if you're not on their team you're bad and against them.

It's not fair for any religious adherent to make broad generalizations about non-believers. It's hypocritical to criticize this, and then go on to assume all religious people are proselytizing zealots.

I think you're equating fundamentalism with religion. The two are distinct and not mutually exclusive. I would agree with you that the fundies be dangerous and wack, yo. I also support religious freedom as I am pro-choice (obviously, as I'm on SaSu after all.) I don't think religion is inherently harmful however.

I think you hold a very narrow view of religion. It's a beautifully vast and varied thing. Unitarian Universalists, for example, would reject what you've said. A fundamental principle of their beliefs is the responsible search for truth and meaning for each individual, however one defines it.

I think it's just as presumptuous to assume no religions are true as it is to assume only one is. Then again I'm agnostic so imo no one really knows.

 

[zulu123]

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I personally would find a new therapist as your current one is forcing her beliefs onto you, and at the same time not really listening to you.

 

[Square251]

As a fellow Egyptian who has went through several therapists here, with many being like yours, I'd recommend finding someone else. I'm glad you made that choice, I think it's for the best.

I know it might be difficult to find decent therapists here, but they do exist, it just might take a bit of trial and error. And there are many who don't bring Islam up so don't worry, you'll be accepted for who you are.

 

[Reflection]

Dump the therapist and dont go seeing a sheikh or something. Those people think that depression and suicidal ideation happen because of being "far from God" and other bullshit they've been fed with.