Routledge Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilience: Integrating Care in Disaster Relief Work

Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilience explores the interface between spiritual and psychological care in the context of disaster recovery work, drawing upon recent disasters including but not limited to, the experiences of September 11, 2001. Each of the three sections that make up the book are structured around the cycle of disaster response and focus on the relevant phase of disaster recovery work. In each section, selected topics combining spiritual and mental health factors are examined; when possible, sections are co-written by a spiritual care provider and a mental health care provider with appropriate expertise. Existing interdisciplinary collaborations, creative partnerships, gaps in care, and needed interdisciplinary work are identified and addressed, making this book both a useful reference for theory and an invaluable hands-on resource. Review "An original and notable contribution to the field of disaster studies. The focus on facilitating the essential collaborative partnerships between mental health and spiritual care providers could not be more timely or more valuable." - James Halpern, Professor of Psychology and Counseling, Director, Institute for Disaster Mental Health, State University of New York at New Paltz, USA "Creating Spiritual and Psychological Resilience is a well-researched work validated by the extensive practical experience of the contributing authors. This publication will be useful in a practical way to professionals working with trauma survivors who have experienced great emotional and spiritual upheaval in their lives as a result of catastrophic and life threatening events. The authors show a clear understanding of the importance of restoring resilience through both spiritual and psychological support. -William W. Sage, The KonTerra Group, Washington DC, New York, USA and Geneva, Switzerland "If you are a mental health or spiritual care professional who either plans to become involved in disaster relief work or wishes to expand his/her capacity to respond, this is definitely a book you will want to read. The editors have pulled together authors from a variety of professions...for chapters tha provide essential information both to professionals who may be novices regarding disaster relief work as well as those who are seasoned veterans. Well written." -Howard B. Smith, South Dakota State University (retired) in Counseling Today, April 2010 About the Author Grant H. Brenner, MD, is a graduate of the William Alanson White Institute, and assistant clinical professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (adjunct) in New York City. Daniel H. Bush, MDiv, is a chaplain and serves as an educator at several programs in Jerusalem, including Yakar, Kivunim, the Conservative Yeshiva, and Encounter. Joshua Moses, PhD, was formerly a fellow with the National Institute of Mental Health. He is currently the Director of Research for the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.