Reply To: “Frum” therapist

The פסק doesn’t differentiate between a psychiatrist or a psychologist in stating that a מין or כופר (atheist or non religious) should not be consulted. Interestingly, he states that possibly, if they are a respected professional, the parents of the patient can rely on his word that he wont discuss matters related to religion or faith with the child. But if possibly, a “frum” psychiatrist should be found.
I’m not a huge fan of being מדייק in the אגרות משה; its widely accepted that they were heavily edited by his grandchildren.
However, it appears that the situation that ר’ משה זצ”ל was referring to was a parent seeking care for their child. In that situation, the parent is able to advocate for the child and hopefully moniter the care they are receiving. Less meaningfully, while in the body of the תשובה he refers to both psychiatrists and psychologists, but in the actual ruling that allows treatment by a non religous practitioner who will respect parental boundaries, he only mentions psychiatrists, and states that a שומר תירה would be preferable if s suitable one can be found.
I would be curious as to what his opinion would have been of adults seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist independently, and whether he would have insisted on using a “frum” therapist with limited training instead of a board certified psychiatrist.