Evangelical Christian denominations do not recognize psychotherapy as a legitimate tool for helping individuals who suffer from anxiety disorders. They view those who suffer from anxiety disorders as "possessed by the Devil" or being persecuted for some evil they have committed or some sin they have not confessed. The true cause for anxiety in most of these cases is the members of these "fundamentalist" groups attempt to live such a strict, depraved lifestyle that can never be achieved; it is a constant source of stress and anxiety. There is no foundation for their beliefs in the King James version of the Bible however, they misquote verses from this bible as the basis for their beliefs. Unfortunately, women bare the hardest burden of the lifestyle these fundamentalist sects attempt to live. They separate themselves from interacting with the general society, are not allowed to cut their hair; wear cosmetics; disagree with their husbands; or take any position of authority in the church. Anxiety disorders, depression, and even PTSD are common from women who are trapped in these situations.

Psychotherapists will be viewed as "outsiders" at the very least. Taking a very calm, compassionate approach with the patient will be helpful. Change is very difficult for these patients, although they are in desperate need of relocation and rescue from the abusive, restrictive, and punitive religious atmosphere they have been living in. Working with the patient and her family may be a helpful approach, so as not to alarm the spouse that any attempt is being made to separate the patient from the husband or the church. Explaining that Anxiety has a physiological basis and further patient information can be very valuable in these circumstances.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Rebecca C. Brumm

Walden University

This would be a little broad in that not all Evangelical Christian demonstrations or members would hold to this. While there are certainly many that do so, there is also a very strong "Christian" psychotherapy network. This has changed some sincel this was published but it gets one started ...

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ571527&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ571527

A good source of information on theses topics can be found in : Psychotherapy relationships that work : evidence-based responsiveness (2nd edition) Auteur : Norcross, John C., 1957-

Éditeur : Oxford University Press(Oxford New York, 2011)

Thank you very much.

You should also consider looking at Richards and Bergin's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity.

I've found some useful material in "Religion and the Clinical Practice of Psychology" published by APA, edited by Shafranske