An Air Force model of psychologist–chaplain collaboration.

Abstract

Clients bring to therapy sessions a diverse background of spiritual beliefs and religious orientations that they perceive as valuable resources and coping skills. Yet, not all psychologists know how to address effectively these beliefs and orientations. The author uses case examples to describe his experience within the United States Air Force community gained while establishing a collaborative relationship with the clergy. Recommendations include the following: how to start the collaboration, establishing a collegial relationship, pursuing continuing education on faith factors in counseling, how to utilize pastoral counselors, marketing your respect for the clergy, and capitalizing on the value of clergy in providing continuing education to psychologists. FRANK C. BUDD received his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a Lieutenant Colonel (Select) in the U.S. Air Force and serves as the 437th Behavioral Sciences Flight Commander. His research interests include disaster psychology, community education and prevention, and Christian counseling.

Confidentiality and Mental Health/Chaplaincy Collaboration

“…Recommendations specifically for DoD contexts have included creation of general, shared principles for collaboration within military settings (F. C. Budd, 1999), obtaining written consent for chaplains to talk with health care professionals and creating policies to guide the collaborative interactions (Howard & Cox, 2008). The results of this study confirm that confidentiality for chaplains is considered very important by mental health and chaplains serving in DoD settings.…”

Understanding the Role of Chaplains in Veteran Suicide Prevention Efforts

“…Health care professionals are becoming increasingly mindful of religious sensitivities among their patients, the salutary benefits associated with religion and spirituality, that most Americans and clinicians hold some type of religious beliefs, and the influence of such beliefs on the lives of those who espouse them (Budd, 1999). As these professional groups look to be more attentive to the needs of the at-risk Veterans under their care, they should remain mindful that some of the complaints voiced by at-risk Veterans may be indicative of a need for religious and/or spiritual support (Kopacz, Silver, & Bossarte, 2014).…”

Religion, Health and Confidentiality: An Exploratory Review of the Role of Chaplains

“…However, Budd noted that military psychologists (and other mental health professionals) are 'often seen as spies for the employer' (p. 553) leading to a distrust of the system, whereas trust in the chaplain's confidentiality encouraged military personnel to act proactively and explore early intervention possibilities rather than waiting until high risk and often more expensive treatment is mandated (Budd 1999). Likewise the US Assistant Secretary of Defense (Casscells 2009) also affirmed the absolute confidential role of chaplains, particularly for those deployed personnel who subsequently failed to respond to post-traumatic health assessments.…”

“…While some literature identified a paradox and cautionary note with respect to chaplaincy confidentiality and healthcare team collaboration (Fish 1978), nevertheless more contemporary literature acknowledged the benefits of such collaboration. For example, US Army psychologist LTCOL Frank Budd (1999) argued in his article An Air Force Model of Psychologist-Chaplain Collaboration that both the military psychologist and chaplain working together can highlight the benefits of collaborative prevention in preference to waiting until formal treatment for some personnel is required.…”