At a previous Elder's School the following direction was given on who should offer counseling for those with problems in the congregation. The statement went like this:
"Human sources are wrong for counsel, for this reason we look to the bible as the only source. As elders we are responsible to give scriptural counsel for the sick or those who experience mental anguish."
Then the reference below was cited as the basis of this view:
*** w90 4/1 13-14 God's Word Is Truth ***
The Bible’s Counsel—Uniquely Wise
12 Today, of course, there are many sources of counsel outside the Bible. Newspapers carry advice columns, and bookstores are full of self-help books. Additionally, there are psychologists, professional counselors, and others who offer advice in different fields. But the Bible is unique in at least three aspects. First, its counsel is always beneficial. It is never mere theory, and it never works to our harm. Anyone who follows the Bible’s counsel has to agree with the psalmist when he said to God in prayer: “Your own reminders have proved very trustworthy.”—Psalm 93:5.
13 Second, the Bible has stood the test of time. (1 Peter 1:25; Isaiah 40:8) Counsel from human sources is notoriously changeable, and what is in fashion one year is often criticized the next. However, although the Bible was completed almost 2,000 years ago, it still contains the wisest counsel available, and its words are universally applicable. They apply with equal effect whether we live in Africa, in Asia, in South or North America, in Europe, or in the isles of the sea.
14 Finally, the wide range of the Bible’s counsel is unequalled. A Bible proverb says: “Jehovah himself gives wisdom,” and no matter what problem or decision we face, there is wisdom in the Bible that helps us to solve it. (Proverbs 2:6) Children, teenagers, parents, old folks, employees, employers, people in authority, all find that the wisdom in the Bible applies to them. (Proverbs 4:11) Even when we face situations that were unknown in the time of Jesus and his apostles, the Bible gives us counsel that works. For example, back in the first century, tobacco smoking was unknown in the Middle East. Today, it is widespread. Nevertheless, anyone who takes note of the Bible’s counsel to avoid being “brought under authority [or controlled] by anything” and to keep clean from “every defilement of flesh and spirit” will avoid this habit, which is both addictive and destructive to health.—1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
If you were a brother or sister who was deeply depressed, or who had been raped, or experienced child molestation, marital problems, etc... How do you think the typical elder in attendance at this school would interpret your attempt to obtain outside therapy for assistance on any specific matter described above? So if in the future WT takes the witness stand and says, "we never discourage our members from going to outside counselors to obtain assistance." I wonder if anyone will remember this "spiritual food at the proper time?"