Do AAs Need Psychiatry?

A FEW months ago I became involved in a discussion about the merits of psychotherapy for members of this Fellowship. The point at issue had to do with the advisability of issuing a statement to the effect that psychotherapy, being now recognized as a treatment measure of proven value, should be accepted as quite compatible with the Twelve-Step program. I was told that many, many members of AA are receiving this type of psychiatric treatment with considerable benefit, and that the time has now arrived when they no longer need feel so ashamed of what they are doing that they must he about it, but rather should be permitted to be forthright and honest.