Family Services | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Reviews

• FM

  friendy maggot

  Nov 14, 2023
  1.0
  Although I felt like my therapist was a good person and really wanted to help, a lot of the help I received here was misguided. As someone who has anxiety and depression on and off, I sought council through LDS Family services in Lethbridge because it aligned with my values and was an affordable option for me to receive the help that I needed. However, I felt as if it was very therapist-centered and less client centered than I would have hoped, and many times I would feel like I was flailing because the therapist was trying to apply a modality, and then would forget about it the next session. It was very back and forth, and they didn't take notes (though they said this was for confidentiality purposes, which I thought was odd. You can take notes while still maintaining confidentiality). I also felt that the therapists personal experiences and spiritual beliefs often overtook sessions, beliefs that were mere speculation and not from official sources of the church, and beliefs that were not evidence based. I understand that these therapists have to ride a fine line between offering spiritual perspectives and therapeutic services, however, as someone who is passionate about evidence-based practice and the intersection it has with spirituality, I do not believe that spiritual speculation on the therapist's part is ever appropriate, in fact, it does more harm than good. Therapy is supposed to be for people to be empowered and supported by therapists to come as they are, without judgment, and to have an unbiased professional guide so that the person can draw their own conclusions about their lives (whether it be of a spiritual nature or not). I– quite honestly– don’t think that is possible when therapists aren’t able to explore their clients experience of spirituality because they have their own opinion on it. I understand now that LDS family services obviously wasn’t a right fit for me, and I understand that for many people it is the most accessible way for them to get help. I encourage you to get the help you need, 100%, but just be aware that the help you get here (at least in my experience) is very biased, and take that awareness with you as best you can if you choose to get help here.