yytz:
Some re-education needed here.
Psychology professors and atheism. This has little to no effect on clinical practice. For the greatest part, professors are academics, not clinicians. Furthermore, the ethical standards for all mental health professions (in many areas the laws regulating the practice, as well) prohibit any interference with the client’s value or belief system. If a psychologist or other therapist were to try convincing a client to abandon his/her faith, they would be sanctioned and perhaps lose their license. You are correct when the influence is more subtle, but that is in conflict with the training and professional standards.
Medication – it is either needed, or it is contraindicated. This forum is not a place where to pronounce whether medication is good, not good, or just a last resort. Even the non-medically trained therapists need to know when medication needs to be considered an option. To be anti medication is purely irresponsible. When it is not needed, it should not be taken.
You wrote: “My own view is that medications should be used far less than they are, because of side effects, dependency, and the evidence showing that non-medical interventions (exercise, meditation, prayer, even dark chocolate) work as well or better than medications in improving mood.”
All medications, including OTC ones,have side effects. None should ever be used unless they are indicated. The physician prescribes a medication with considering the balance between the risks (side effects) and benefits. Other opinions do not matter here. Dependency is a risk for only certain classes of medications. SSRI’s, for instance, do not carry dependency risk. There are a few case studies that found some technical aspects of physical dependency, but not at a level that is a challenge to overcome. Otherwise, dependency is usually not a factor. If symptoms return after stopping a medication, it indicates that it is still needed, not dependency. Non-medical interventions are sometimes effective. I have benefited from them myself. For certain conditions, they might be the treatment of choice. It is not appropriate to consider these as replacements for the other therapeutic methods. Exercise, prayer, and meditation are fabulous with wonderful results. It is the rare exception that these are substitutes for medication when it is needed.
Improving mood can involve many factors. Words of chizuk can be precious. So can humor. Yet, these are not treatments, but temporary methods of relief. Use them all you like, but do not into the anti-therapy mode, as it will not help much.