Mr. A, worldly knowledge, practice, and in your case, your job do not have to contradict the Godly view. What we do here, is what brings us to God. I will try to, in a short time, to explain why I feel your job, if done right ( I am sure it is), is God’s work.

Mental illness is real:
A close relative of mine, has a number of mental defects/illnesses that often prevent her from having total control of her actions. I will not list any specific illnesses, but I will say that her problems fit the description of many a mainstream mental illness thought to be bogus. But she is not possessed by Satan, she has bad DNA ( proven with a DNA test). I can imagine that people in the not so distant past would think her possessed. For she often bursts out saying things that don’t make sense- including making up new words, gets foam in the corners of her mouth from speaking and worrying too much, and is prone to falling and seizing on the floor. I thank God someone understands that there is something wrong in her brain and is utilizing drugs to improve neurological function. Not only is her illness is under control, but she continues to surpass all projections as medical treatment and therapies continue to improve over the years.

It’s dangerous to assume that mental illness is otherwise; imagine if we considered other illnesses to be demonic:

Example 1:
Empirical science, through it diligence, has not only identified bacteria, but found cures for the many illnesses it causes. I would find it madness and amoral (negligence or suicide), for an otherwise healthy person, to refuse or be refused antibiotics if the excuse was “it’s demonic and requiring only prayer; it’s in God’s hands”.

Example 2:
Take a person who practices bad diet, is overweight, and does not exercise. Was their heart attack from demonic possession or clogged arteries? I don’t need diet or exercise, I need prayer.

What these examples mean:

As far as we know regarding mental illness, there is no difference between mental illness and any other illness. Like bacteria, we empirically see it and are doing our best to empirically treat it. I have no qualms with the religious idea that a person via bad choices can cause or make depression or many other mental illnesses worse and by extension of reason, allow or further the devil’s influence. The devil may very well be enacting on someone in a way to give or promote mental illness (or any illness for that matter), but rest assured, like a bacterial infection, there is an actual illness that needs treatment. But say somehow the Devil works just through the soul and not through the body , it is severally dangerous to assume this. Imagine if we assumed that every fat person who goes to McDonalds is possessed by the devil to go there. Most if not all people at McDonalds are not possessed but probably have serious health issues(although the drive through has made me wonder at times) and the same is for mental illness. We need to help these people. Would it be right to pray to end world hunger while simultaneously getting rid of food pantries and outreach program because they promote the devils work by making us think the problem is not of this world?

God gave us talents that can be used for good or for evil. Fat McDonald people need help. So do the mentally ill. Their need prayer, therapy, and medical intervention. Mr. A ,your ability to be good therapist, to help people overcome a mental illness ,is a calling and gift from God. I know that you have been a great help to me.

The world needs Mr. A to continue his good works. I need to know there is a world in which people like Mr. A are out there helping people.

Conclusion:
Go ahead a pray for every one who has any illness. Pray for guidance. Pray for me who might have just really pissed Mr. A off. Just don’t forget that the mentally ill need real treatment. I am sure then that the Devil would love us only to pray for others while ignoring physical action. We have only this world in order to build ourselves up by doing that that which is good and right. Remember, that quote ‘whatever you do to the least of my people, you do to me’?. We find God by doing what is right, by helping others. Most of us were not all meant to live in a monastery, ignoring this world. If you do the right thing in this world, you learn to be closer to the next. Why else to we live? I am sure Mr. A , that for you it is to be saved, but being saved does not mean sitting around. Every action we take on this earth can bring us closer to higher understanding, all we have to do is maintain our focus.