Therapy vs. Confession

During a recent conversation with friends, the subject of therapy came up. I was surprised by the number of friends I have that see a therapist on a regular basis. While I agree that therapy is cathartic, it is difficult for me to commit to therapy long-term (kind of ironic…I mean, how can I address my commitment issues if I can't commit to seeing my therapist on a long-term basis?) Discussing therapy is no longer taboo…my generation openly talks about therapy in the same way they might talk about the weather. I am also a strong advocate for therapy…I feel anyone can benefit from it regardless of the person's current well-being (or for that matter, lack thereof). The act of confiding in a trusted, objective and nonjudgmental person is comforting. After a good therapy session I walk away feeling the same way I felt as a child after Confession (confessing your sins to a Catholic priest)…light, pure, and absolved. I no longer go to confession (Yes, Father, it's been about 10 years since my last confession) because I no longer consider myself Catholic. No offense to priests, but I think Confession is a hoax. For example, in high school after confessing to having premarital sex with my then long-term boyfriend, the priest asked me how many times I had committed that particular sin. I don't recall my answer (though I am sure I lied…what was I supposed to say…umm 59.5 times?) but I felt it was very inappropriate for the priest to ask for specifics...I mean seriously, what difference does it make if it was once or a thousand times? On another occasion I had a different priest ask me for the details/specifics of messing around with my then boyfriend (I am sure he went home and jacked-off afterwards). With therapy, you actually get honest and positive feedback without having to say 100 Hail Mary's afterwards or worry about the priest getting off on your sins. At least with therapy, you are given the tools to help change your life. My conversation with friends prompted me to schedule an appointment to check in with my therapist next week and thank God once again I am no longer Catholic.