28/06/2025
So, a few weeks ago, I was conducting a session on Stress Management and Wellbeing for Government officials and there were participants who started negating the concept of visiting a Therapist or a Coach for any help, saying a mother at home should be able to manage this using her wisdom and religious knowledge.
That was a powerful moment I experienced—and it reflected a very real and common belief that deserves both empathy and gentle challenge.
I noticed:
1. Cultural Conditioning: Many societies, especially in traditional or collectivist cultures, place immense value on the role of elders (particularly mothers) and religious leaders as sources of wisdom.
2. Stigma Around Therapy: Seeking help from a therapist or coach is often (mis)interpreted as a sign of weakness, illness, or lack of faith.
3. Lack of Awareness: Many people don’t actually know what therapy or coaching really involves or how they complement—not replace—religion and family wisdom.
I tried giving a respectful and bridging response which was:
> “That’s such an important point—and I deeply respect the wisdom mothers carry and the strength our faith provides us. In many homes, a mother’s guidance and religious teachings have helped generations thrive, and that should never be discounted.
But let me share a different perspective: seeking help from a therapist or coach doesn’t mean we don’t trust our faith or elders. It simply means we’re using all the resources available to grow, heal, and manage life better—just like we consult a doctor when we’re physically unwell, even if we pray and believe in God’s healing.
Coaching and therapy don’t replace our religion or values—they actually support us in applying those values with more clarity, especially during emotionally difficult times.
And sometimes, a mother herself might be emotionally overwhelmed or carrying generations of unspoken pain—who supports her? That’s where professionals come in. To hold space for healing that goes beyond surface advice.
So we’re not choosing between religion or therapy. We’re choosing both—so that we can live more aligned, peaceful, and empowered lives.”
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