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Psychological and Theological Dynamics in an Inpatient Psychiatric Chaplaincy Group

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Abstract

This article describes the structure and goals of chaplaincy groups in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The article also explores their therapeutic benefits for patients and offers a theological framework for thinking about the conversations that unfolded in these groups. The article focuses in particular on the value of discussion and reflection in a group setting, the significance of receiving and answering questions, and the experience of participating in a simple ritual to name hopes.

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Notes

  1. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a method of training chaplains and pastoral care providers that combines supervised field work with group process sessions and didactic elements. A CPE residency is a 9- or 12-month learning process, which often takes places in a hospital setting. The program’s length means that residents are generally well integrated into their assigned hospital units, which allows for extensive learning and growth.

References

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  • McAdams, D. (1993). The stories we live by: Personal myths and the making of the self. New York: William Morrow and Company.

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  • Popovsky, M., (2007). A spiritual issues discussion group for psychiatric in-patients. Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, 61 (1–2), Spring-Summer, 119–128.

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Acknowledgement

I am grateful to my CPE supervisors, the Rev. Susan Lunning and the Rev. Debra Slade, who offered guidance and support as I developed these groups. I also acknowledge Dr. Kenneth Pollack, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center, who directed me to relevant literature and shared his expertise with me, and Liz McGuire, MS, DMT-BC, LCAT, an Expressive Therapist at Westchester Medical Center with whom I co-led some of the groups and from whom I learned a great deal. I also thank Rabbi Nancy Wiener, who read and commented on a draft of this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Phelps Hospice, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, 701 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, 10591, USA

    Jo Hirschmann

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  1. Jo Hirschmann
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Correspondence to Jo Hirschmann.

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Hirschmann, J. Psychological and Theological Dynamics in an Inpatient Psychiatric Chaplaincy Group. J Relig Health 50, 964–974 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9500-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9500-x

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