Posttraumatic stress, mental health professionals, and the clergy: a need for collaboration, training, and research.
This article addresses the need for improved clergy-mental health professional collaboration in the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Tens of millions of North Americans with personal problems seek the counsel of clergy. There is an absence of research on the function of clergy as helpers with the traumatized and on the psychological dynamics of religious coping among the traumatized. Psychological trauma presents the mental health and religious communities with unique opportunities to work together in the best interest of those they serve.
Department of Psychology, Hawaii State Hospital, Kaneohe 96744, USA.
A J
AJ
Weaver
H G
HG
Koenig
F M
FM
Ochberg
D018672:Community Health Planning; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D009656:North America; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000534:rehabilitation*