When I read stuff like this, it makes me think they know EXACTLY what they're doing

This article must have passed me by before (taken from the "JWs and shrinks" thread).  Now I understand the mechanics of cult mind control, I can see precisely why they make the statements highlighted in bold.  It does make me question whether the Governing Body are cognizant of their use of mind control.  What do you think?

WT 96 9/1 Question from Readers.

Nevertheless, practical wisdom must be exercised and care taken not to forget Bible principles. (Proverbs 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:13) In the case of physical sickness, patients are faced with a variety of treatment choices, from orthodox medicine to therapies such as naturopathy, acupuncture, and homeopathy. There are also different kinds of mental-health practitioners. Among them are analytic psychotherapists and others, who may delve into the patient’s personal history to try to find reasons for irregular behavior or painful emotions. Behavioral psychotherapists may try to help the patient learn new behavior patterns. Some mental-health practitioners believe that most mental illnesses should be treated with drugs. Reportedly, others recommend diet and vitamins.

Patients and their families should use caution when considering these choices. (Proverbs 14:15) Significantly, Professor Paul McHugh, director of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said that the mental-health profession "is a rudimentary medical art. It lacks easy access to proof of its proposals even as it deals with disorders of the most complex features of human life—mind and behavior." This situation leaves the door open to eccentricity and fraud, as well as well-intentioned treatments that may do more harm than good.

It should be mentioned, too, that while psychiatrists and psychologists have professional, postgraduate degrees, many others with no professional qualifications practice without supervision as counselors or therapists. Some individuals have spent a lot of money consulting such unqualified people.

Even with a trained, qualified mental-health professional, there are things to consider. When choosing a medical doctor or surgeon, we have to be sure that he will respect our Bible-based views. Similarly, it would be dangerous to consult a mental-health professional who does not respect our religious and moral views. Many Christians are striving hard, despite mental and emotional confusion, to have "the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had." (Romans 15:5) Such are rightly concerned about the attitudes of anyone who might affect their thinking or behavior. Some practitioners view any restrictions imposed by Scriptural beliefs as unnecessary and potentially harmful to mental health. They may approve, even recommend, practices condemned in the Bible, such as homosexuality or marital infidelity.

You can read more of the article in this thread.

The article is Rife with speculation.....................OUTLAW

I remember this article. 

It made people question even further seeking out professional help when they needed it!

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/mchugh.htm

Here's the story they quoted. It's not quite in the same vein that they purported it to be.

Sometimes I think the GB sit up there and look at eachother dumbfounded at how many people are actually willing to buy into all this crap.  They probably can't believe it themselves and that's probably why they easily let people go.  They know others will come in.  Makes me wonder......wf

besides the very last sentence, i dont see the problem.

mental health providers are all too often, drug pushers.

mental health providers are all too often, drug pushers.

You were joking, right?

This is dangerous. Sometimes people who have mental illness in early stages need treatment early because waiting until the illness is fullblown can make it much more difficult to treat. Additionally, the prognosis and outcome will not be as good. Especially with psychotic disorders, they can mimick simple anxiety and depression at first. Then the loved ones and friends see gradual changes over time and become "sick" with the person, not recognizing how inappropriate the behavior of the individual is growing.

One of the Biggies that made me wake up the WTBTS' true nature was their treatment of mental illness. Their policies on mental illness were clearly dangerous. Then I watched several people with severe illnesses end up disfellowshipped and shunned, to the horror of the medical caregivers, friends, neighbors and "thinking" JWs friends of the JW sufferer.

The issue that finally made my sister decide I was an apostate, was when I told her that the Elders are not trained to treat the mentally ill: they are not mental health professionals and have no business advising on mental illness or encougaring shunning of sufferers.

"...many others with no professional qualifications practice without supervision as counselors or therapists. Some individuals have spent a lot of money consulting such unqualified people."

This says it all. If someone wants to "counsel" you or "shepherd" you, have them produce evidence of their professional qualifications before allowing them to proceed. Tell them you saw it in the 'Tower.

It should be mentioned, too, that while psychiatrists and psychologists have professional, postgraduate degrees, many others with no professional qualifications practice without supervision as counselors or therapists. Some individuals have spent a lot of money consulting such unqualified people.

Yes, the article is markedly undermining of seeking professional help. But it does identify one kernel of "truth"seen in the above quote. In help-seeking, you have a greater likelihood of getting some accountability from psychiatrists and psychologists than generic counsellors because psychiatrists and psychologists practice under supervision. There are a lot of charlatans out there and people need to be aware of the background, training and up-skilling needs of those they approach for help.

"...many others with no professional qualifications practice without supervision as counselors or therapists.

Just as Elders 'counsel' with no formal/professional qualifications? Yet JWs find this perfectly acceptable...the WT claims to hold the remedy for 'depression', yet counting all the people I know/have known who have suffered/do suffer from any kind of 'mental illness', the JWs FAR outweigh the non-JWs.

I have read the article in context on the c/d rom, and I have to say that I can find little wrong with it, apart from a misplaced confidence in their own elders to be able or willing to help the depressed souls...You would be very lucky to find one that could say the right things...

They do acknowledge the need for professional therapy.

the physician, upon request, may recommend a mental-health professional. What then? As stated, this is a decision each individual must weigh for himself. Others should not criticize or judge.

Apart from a few busybody sisters I have not known any one try to dissuade a witness from accepting Psychiatric treatment, certainly not the elders..The note of caution is not misplaced, there are many rubbish counselors out there.

I wonder if attitudes are different over here?

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To be fair, there is a side to seeking "professional"help that is potentially dangerous - especially if the service providers are not well trained (but speak as if they are) and are not registered practitioners. In my work, I see people who have entrusted their problems to a professional who hasput them througha lot of substandard procedures. The people have no recourse because the practitioners do not belong to a registered body. Buyer beware.

"It should be mentioned, too, that while psychiatrists and psychologists have professional, postgraduate degrees, many others with no professional qualifications practice without supervision as counselors or therapists. Some individuals have spent a lot of money consulting such unqualified people."

No Kidding!!!  And what about those in the KH, such as elders who set themselves up as confessors and advisers? Their armchair, no license psychological practice has harmed countless witnesses who have come to them seeking help! disgusting.