Among the Christian psychologists that I know, there is nothing in their work which contradicts those biblical instructions. They all admit that there is much in the world of psychotherapy and psychology that is not of God.
However, for them to reject out of hand all of modern psychological research and technique on the basis of some kind of assumed syncretism or some tenuous connection to Franz Mesmer would be like a Christian medical doctor rejecting the use of pharmacological remedies because the original term, "pharmakos," referred to potions and sorcery.
As for me, I will continue to believe that the medicine that keeps my asthma at bay is a gift to be received with thanksgiving from the same God who works in me for His good purpose. I feel the same way about the healings and deepening relationships with Christ I have seen in myself and others through Christian psychological counseling.
The medical pharmacia analogy doesn't really work because the sorcery was more about the soul. And since “psychologist” are more Doctors of the soul by definition .Medical Drs. are more about the body and cause and effect .
If a “Patient” doesn't have money to pay the psychologist what then, I certainly wouldn’t have gotten deliverance since we are using anecdotal evidence.
To ignore or reject the occult origins of “Psychotherapy” would be dangerous and foolish.
You said:”However, for them to reject out of hand all of modern psychological research and technique on the basis of some kind of assumed syncretism or some tenuous connection to Franz Mesmer
You say “all of modern research and technique” you don't think there is any syncretism in there? I hope your friends are very discerning .A tenuous connection to Frank Mesmer,I don't know about that but I do know there are many documents that reveal connections to Psychotherapy and the occult .
I say buyer beware.Jesus said many shall come in my name and deceive many.I don't know to many men I would trust my soul to.
Heck I don't know any ministers I trust.I am not saying there are not any good ones ,I just don't know them ,besides I do not think any one man should run a church,we are the body of Christ, as often happens the leader attains,rock star status.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
2Co 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2Co 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2Co 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
2Co 10:17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2Co 10:18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
2Co 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
You can have your modern psychological research and technique.Make mine the Word of God.