Spiritual Care in Psychological Suffering: How a Research Collaboration Informs Integrative Practice not only talks about transcending disciplinary boundaries but actually does it! Well-grounded in their own scientific research as well as the literature more broadly, this team of psychologists, psychiatrists, and chaplains has been working together now for almost a decade to help people in psychiatric crisis. What you will read herein is both a model for successful collaboration as well as a treasure trove of integrative research with real clinical outcomes resulting from such collaboration. An outstanding example of just what can be done when we extend our disciplinary reach. Well-worth the read.

Peter C. Hill, Biola University

I am so excited to see this creative, scholarly, and thought-provoking volume! It was inspiring to read about such a dynamic collaborative relationship between chaplains, psychologists, and psychiatrists in a faith-based treatment setting. The book provides a rich, in-depth set of discussions, including an excellent overview of research studies conducted in this clinical setting on topics such as forgiveness, spiritual struggles, religious comfort, patience, and afterlife beliefs. The book also extends beyond a pure research focus to provide an insider view of how this partnership began and how it has evolved over time, along with many helpful suggestions for clinical work and collaboration, and with attention to vital issues of social justice. I heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in the integration of spirituality, religion, and mental health care.

Julie J. Exline, Case Western Reserve University

Our hurting world desperately needs the kind of integrative healing described by Abernethy and colleagues in this book—Spiritual Care in Psychological Suffering. I am deeply heartened by their insightful interdisciplinary approach drawing on the best of psychological research and spiritual care wisdom. We need more of this kind of collaborative work among mental health practitioners, chaplains, and clergy. This book can provide both practical strategies for spiritually integrative mental health while also describing a process for building this kind of interdisciplinary community. I will be using it for my own clinical practice and within psychology and spirituality training contexts.

Steven J. Sandage, Boston University

Effective teams are an essential ingredient for conducting research that can inform and support spiritual care. This book describes a notable ten-year partnership between psychology researchers at Fuller Seminary and Graduate School of Psychology and chaplains at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. It shares some of the important theoretical and clinical insights that emerged from their collaboration. This partnership serves as an important model for advancing evidence-based spiritual care in mental health and other contexts.

George Fitchett, Rush University Medical Center

With deep respect for people facing psychiatric crisis, this team—spanning psychology, psychiatry, and chaplaincy—studied spiritual intersections with mental health. Their research and reflections are a needed contribution for competent and compassionate care when people need it most.

Harold Koenig, Duke University

Abernethy’s edited book, Spiritual Care in Psychological Suffering, is a brilliant collaborative project that could help shift psychologist-psychiatrist-chaplain-clergy interactions. It’s personal. I loved the chapter by Eastburg and Gooden laying out their professional and personal history. It’s research-based, and the research is well-conceived, conducted, and conveyed. It’s practical. The chapters on the tribulations and jubilations of a ten-year, ten-professional collaboration are down-to-earth and spiritually minded. It’s a good read for chaplain, researcher, and mental health provider. I recommend it.

Everett L. Worthington, Virginia Commonwealth University