by Rev. Brynn White, the Outpatient Chaplain
When Healing Calls: Rocco’s Healing Journey and the Stigma Barrier
I’d just finished giving the benediction and dismissing the congregation when I saw a frail, older gentleman with a cane making a beeline toward me. “Oh, no, what did I say?” I quickly reviewed the sermon content in my head. As he approached, to my great relief, a smile broke across his face. “Do you schedule individual sessions? I need to see you! Everything you said really hit home with me! I’m Rocco, by the way.”
I’d preached a sermon that day about coming home to one’s True Self, to find healing and happiness inside rather than “out there.” Rocco was at a place in his life where he was done looking for healing outside himself, done searching for short-lived gratification in external things. He was ready to move within—to that often hidden and sometimes scary terrain of the “inner landscape.” The beloved John O’Donohue referred to this as one’s “interiority.”
Rocco was an inpatient where I served as the supervisory chaplain. He struggled with addiction, multiple mental health diagnoses, and significant grief. As a chaplain serving in a facility whose main priority is mental health, most of my career has focused on mental health. So, I felt confident that Rocco and I would engage in some meaningful work together. Rocco could have seen a therapist, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist while at my facility, but he chose to meet with me weekly—a privilege that was truly all mine.
That was a long time ago, and Rocco and I did some great work together. With his willingness to engage his pain in the service of healing, my “on the ground” experience, along with my mental health specialization, Rocco was able to navigate through his grief and loss. He began to explore what living a more awakened and meaningful life looked like, and even re-engaged hopes and dreams he thought had died long ago.
The pervasiveness of mental health challenges in our society—anxiety, depression, grief, trauma—is well known. Yet, for all of those suffering from these maladies of the human spirit, as many as 83% of those who could benefit from treatment or support do not seek it (National Council on Aging).
“As many as 83% of those who could benefit
from treatment or support do not seek it.”
Despite a societal shift toward normalizing the reality of a world that struggles with mental health, a significant stigma still acts as a barrier to care for those suffering. In fact, one survey suggests that 3 out of 5 people struggling with mental illness do not seek help out of fear of how they’ll be perceived by others (Rethink Mental Illness Survey). Chaplaincy, though, is less stigmatizing. Clergy are often seen as more approachable and can serve as an alternative for those who fear stigmatization. The field of chaplaincy, specifically those like me who are adequately trained and prepared, is uniquely positioned to bridge this gap in care for mental and emotional well-being. Chaplains who are trained in mental health offer a safe, confidential, and holistic approach to mental and emotional well-being for those who might otherwise avoid professional help.
The Trust Factor: Why People Turn to Clergy First
My work in mental health has blessed me with wonderful professional and personal relationships with therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Many of them embrace “third wave” psychological approaches to mental health treatment, which offer a more holistic focus beyond just one’s thoughts. This expanded view incorporates mindfulness, acceptance, and values, emphasizing the whole person. Despite this evolution in therapy, a significant stigma often remains connected to traditional mental health practitioners.
Not only do the statistics I shared previously confirm this, but my career as a chaplain for veterans further solidified this point: studies in the military found that service members were more likely to speak with a chaplain than the unit psychologist. This phenomenon holds true in civilian life as well. Let’s explore some possible reasons why:
- Trust and Comfort: Given the societal perception of clergy as a refuge, studies show that 25-40% of Americans have sought support from clergy.
- Accessibility: Clergy are often remarkably accessible. You can walk off the street and talk to an imam, priest, rabbi, and so forth. Similarly, in healthcare and military settings, you can often walk directly into a chaplain’s office, sit down, and share your deepest concerns without an appointment. To see a psychiatrist or psychologist, one usually has to navigate a system involving insurance, scheduling, waiting lists, and so forth. That’s simply not the case for chaplains.
- “Clergy Privilege” and Confidentiality: Depending on the state in which they serve, clergy are often bound by confidentiality (some exceptions do apply). Think about the spirit of confession in Catholicism: you can share anything, and it remains between you, the priest, and your higher power. While this also holds true for military chaplains, it is important to note that healthcare chaplains in institutions sometimes have mandated reporting requirements. For me personally, being a mandated reporter takes precedence over any clergy privilege I might hold in certain situations, ensuring client safety and adherence to professional standards.
- Community Connections: Clergy in the community, and professional chaplains serving in healthcare institutions, tend to be deeply connected to local resources. They can often provide referrals and information about support groups, food banks, financial assistance outlets, and more, offering a broader net of support.
“Studies in the military found that service members were more likely to speak with a chaplain than the unit psychologist. This phenomenon holds true in civilian life as well.”
Working with a professional chaplain ensures a holistic approach, one that doesn’t just focus on the problem or symptom at hand, but on the entirety of your well-being. Keep reading to learn more about how chaplaincy can be a unique path to healing.
Chaplaincy: A Holistic Approach to Healing
While it’s crucial for chaplains to “stay in their lane”—assessing appropriately and making referrals when necessary—there’s a vast and deep territory we can explore with clients that truly addresses the whole person. In my work within an organization that prioritizes treatment for mental health, trauma, and substance use disorder, I’ve consistently found that when I meet with someone struggling with addiction, there’s always much more happening beneath the surface. And they know it, too. They understand their struggle with addiction is often driven by something deeper than just the substance itself.
Much of my work, therefore, involves:
- Emotional Support & Compassionate Listening: At its core, our work as chaplains involves active listening, empathy, and creating a safe space for clients. If you’ve ever truly been heard—really heard—you understand the profound value of this. This listening is characterized by a non-critical, non-judgmental presence that can hold even the hardest stories.
- Addressing Grief and Loss: Chaplains provide comfort and guidance through periods of loss, often integrating spiritual frameworks to help clients find meaning amidst their pain.
- Navigating Trauma: While chaplains typically don’t engage in “trauma processing” (through modalities like exposure therapy, for example), we absolutely help clients navigate trauma from a spiritual perspective. This is central to our work, as deeply held values and beliefs about how life “should be” are often shattered by traumatic experiences. Whether a client is overtly religious or has been subtly influenced by society’s religious conditioning, this is a significant part of a chaplain’s work.
- Addiction Recovery Support: Chaplains also play a central role in recovery efforts. For most people, focusing on spiritual growth, purpose, and community connection are key components to maintaining long-term sobriety.
- Coping Strategies & Resilience Building: We help clients develop inner resources for managing stress and adversity through various techniques drawn from diverse spiritual traditions. Personally, I like to incorporate recent biofeedback research and practices into my work, given the emerging insights into our brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity.
- Meaning-Making and Purpose: This is another hallmark of our client work—helping individuals find meaning in their struggles and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose.
- Existential Questions: Depending on a client’s story, their trauma history, or their struggles with addiction or mental health challenges, creating space to explore life’s big questions—suffering, hope, purpose, and death—in a safe and supportive environment is also crucial to the work I do.
You can find a deeper dive into a chaplain’s role and contribution here, where I have an entire blog entry dedicated to this topic.
Chaplains and the Spiritual Connection Factor
More and more research beautifully demonstrates a strong correlation between well-being and embodying healthy spirituality. (It’s important to emphasize “healthy,” as there’s a phenomenon called “negative religious coping” that’s beyond the scope of this entry to address.) A quick Google search for “overall benefits of spirituality” will show countless studies supporting this connection.
Therapists and psychologists, however, aren’t typically trained in theology or spirituality. Just as chaplains can venture into dangerous territory by attempting to engage in deep trauma processing without specialized training, traditional mental health practitioners can wade into similarly choppy waters when trying to work through a client’s trauma through a spiritual lens without proper education and experience. Both disciplines risk causing unintended harm when they trek beyond their core training—and in the realm of the spiritual, there are far too many pitfalls to stumble into.
Given the growing body of research highlighting the benefits of spirituality, working with a professionally trained chaplain can be incredibly advantageous. Here are some key research points that underscore the positive impact of spirituality on overall health:
- Lower rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use.
- A negative association with anxiety and depressive symptoms.
- Better overall quality of life.
- Protective effects against suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
- Reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced coping with mental health challenges by providing meaning, social support, and effective strategies.
- Greater relaxation and self-awareness through practices like meditation, prayer, and similar techniques.
- Enhanced peace and quality of life when living with cancer or chronic illness.
- Lower blood pressure, increased immunity, and longer lifespans, which can ultimately lead to lower healthcare costs.
- A greater sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Beyond Diagnosis: Embracing Your Whole Self with a Chaplain
As you’ve likely realized, working with a trained, professional chaplain like myself can be profoundly therapeutic because we offer a unique perspective on life’s struggles. While traditional therapy typically focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders using specific therapeutic modalities, chaplaincy often centers on spiritual and existential well-being, meaning-making, and coping through spiritual resources.
“While traditional therapy typically focuses on diagnosing and treating mental disorders using specific therapeutic modalities, chaplaincy often centers on spiritual and existential well-being, meaning-making,
and coping through spiritual resources.”
A crucial distinction in chaplaincy is that we do not diagnose. This is incredibly important, as it makes us less prone to pathologizing. The less I categorize you by a diagnosis, the less you see your beautiful Essence as that label—that diagnosis, that trauma, that shame, that guilt. (It’s worth noting that the field of psychology is also shifting on this; for instance, what was once termed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD—implying something is pathologically “wrong” with you when you react to a trauma trigger—is increasingly being reframed as “post-traumatic stress,” with an emerging focus on growth related to this stress.)
Professional chaplains view your journey through a different lens. When I work in tandem with a psychologist, for example, they might be guiding a client through intensive trauma processing that temporarily evokes heightened emotions, hypervigilance, and feelings of unsafety—all part of the process. When I engage with that same client, we might focus on returning to presence, mindfulness, and reconnecting with their True Self. Helping a client return to and begin embodying their Essence empowers them to process trauma from a place within that can actually hold that pain and suffering (rather than working solely from that “wounded” part that may feel overwhelmed). Sometimes, a client believes they are that wounded part, having forgotten that there is a deeper Essence within.
“Sometimes, a client believes they are that wounded part,
having forgotten that there is a deeper Essence within.”
Depending on a client’s progress, we might even begin to view pain and suffering as a teacher—not as an enemy that has only wrecked our lives, but as something that can genuinely foster resilience, courage, a deeper perception of Self, and ultimately offer greater wisdom and perspective in life. (Note: This work is typically undertaken only once a client has sufficiently reconnected with their True Self, which is capable of this deeper work.)
It is worth noting that you don’t have to be spiritual or religious to work with a chaplain. In fact, most of the work I do is with clients who would describe themselves as not religious at all, or in very non-traditional terms.
Your Path to Holistic Healing Starts Here
You’ve read Rocco’s story and explored the compelling reasons why many individuals, like him, find profound healing with a chaplain. We’ve delved into the persistent stigma surrounding traditional mental health care, the innate trust people place in chaplains, and the powerful, evidence-based link between healthy spirituality and overall well-being. We’ve also highlighted how a professional chaplain offers a unique, non-pathologizing, holistic approach, gently guiding you to reconnect with your True Self and foster resilience, purpose, and inner wisdom.
Perhaps you’ve found yourself nodding along, recognizing your own struggles or the hesitation you’ve felt in seeking support. The good news is, you don’t have to navigate life’s toughest challenges alone, nor do you have to conform to a specific mold of “therapy” if it doesn’t resonate with you. Remember, you don’t even need to be religious or identify with any particular spiritual tradition to benefit from chaplaincy. My commitment is to meet you exactly where you are, offering a confidential, compassionate space where your whole self is honored. And here’s another key point: you don’t have to choose between a chaplain and a traditional mental health provider—you can work with both simultaneously. In fact, this collaborative approach can often be one of the most beneficial paths for healing and thriving.
Important Note: Chaplaincy does not replace care for dire mental health crises, such as suicidal or homicidal ideation, or any diagnosis that severely threatens one’s life and well-being. A professional chaplain will always refer and work in collaboration with psychiatrists or other appropriate mental health professionals in such cases.
If you’re ready to explore a path to well-being that prioritizes your inner landscape, addresses the root of your struggles, and embraces your inherent capacity for healing, I invite you to consider outpatient chaplaincy with a professionally trained chaplain who specializes in mental health. It’s an opportunity to engage with your pain in the service of growth, just as Rocco did, and discover a more awakened, meaningful life.
You deserve support on your journey. Don’t let uncertainty or stigma stand in the way of your holistic healing.
Take that brave first step. Go to The Outpatient Chaplain at http://www.outpatientchaplain.com to learn more about my services, find a virtual group, or schedule an appointment. Let’s start the conversation about how I can help you navigate life’s challenges with compassion and expert guidance.
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