Including the Ultimate: A Spiritual Focus Treatment Program in an Inpatient Psychiatric Area of a Hospital in Partnership with a Pastoral Counseling Center

Abstract

Describes how an American Association of Pastoral Counselor (AAPC) accredited pastoral counseling center and a community medical center developed an inpatient psychiatric treatment program which integrated the spiritual/religious resources of patients. Outlines the process of collaboration, some basic principles of the integration of faith resources, the ways that staff resistance surfaced and substantially was overcome, and the positive responses of patients. Notes the decision to base treatment on the religious/spiritual position of patients (rather than of therapists), the role of the therapist in this model, and some relevant isomorphic replications.