From the beginning of our Church and movement, Christian Science treatment hasn't been so much "something one goes to a Christian Science practitioner for" as it has been the orderly, systematic approach to healing through prayer that every Christian Scientist expects to practice.
We do ask for help from practitioners when we feel we need it. And Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy states strongly that people should not hold back from seeking the help of an experienced Christian Scientist if they are not healing themselves. But Mrs. Eddy didn't set up some fixed category of special church members who were capable of giving Christian Science treatment and another of "ordinary" members who were not. Through the textbook, Science and Health, she made the spiritual method of treatment accessible to everyone. She expected people would always be learning it and practicing Christian Science on this basis.
If we've been thinking we are inadequate or unready or unwilling to treat ourselves and others, it is time to be a lot more discerning about such thoughts. The fact is they are not native to us. And we don't need to acquiesce in them.
