Author: Wayne Chappelle

Journal of Psychology and Christianity,Vol. 25(3), Fall 2006, pp. 205-215
Abstract:

The following article augments the research on psychology-clergy collaboration by discussing my observations and experiences as an Air Force clinical psychologist while serving as the primary mental health provider for two expeditionary medical groups in Southwest Asia providing care to military personnel who have deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. The article is a reflection of my collaborative experiences with members of the clergy (8 Army and 4 Air Force chaplains representing Protestant and Catholic dominations) over a total of 8-months serving an estimated population of 14,000 military personnel. The article is a retrospective analysis of: (a) my reasons and efforts to establish collaboration, and (b) how collaboration positively affected the provision of mental health care on the battlefield (i.e., outreach and prevention, management of personnel at risk for suicide, and group interventions for managing traumatic experiences related to combat). Lessons learned from my experience are discussed and relevant to awide range of military and civilian settings.