If a patient adheres to religious values and practices, should the treating psychologist get input from a clergyperson? How frequent is clergy-psychologist collaboration? What obstacles impede such collaboration? An exploratory survey questionnaire was sent to 200 clergy, 200 psychologists interested in religious issues, and 200 psychologists selected without regard to religious interests or values. Four themes were assessed: types of collaborative activities, frequency of collaboration, obstacles to collaboration, and ways to enhance collaboration. Strategies for promoting clergypsychologist collaboration include challenging unidirectional referral assumptions, building trust through proximity and familiarity, and considering the importance of shared values and beliefs. When did you last reflect on the range of other professionals with whom you have regular contact? Who was on the list? Other psychologists, a couple psychiatrists, a few social workers, some teachers (if you work with children), and some primary care physicians-and maybe some nurses? Any clergy? The professional practice of psychology has changed over past decades, and the amount of professional collaboration has expanded (
V alues A f f e c t in g C o l l a b o r a t io n A m o n g P s y c h o l o g is t s a n d Ev a n g e l ic a l C lergy The relationship between psychology and religion has a long historical foundation. Oden (1987) notes: Long before psychology was a distinct profession, pastors engaged in activities that required psychological wisdom. Pastors have struggled for the health of persons and the life of souls in ways that anticipate and resemble contemporary psychotherapies. (p. 5)
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