by George Hull, CPSP Diplomate Clinical Pastoral Supervision As a nation, we must do everything in our power to support and care for our veterans. This includes providing them with the best possible care, including spiritual and emotional support from chaplains in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. However, the current requirement for the position of Chaplain in the VA mandates that all candidates must have completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from a CPE center that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. While this requirement is intended to maintain high standards of professional competency and excellence in pastoral care, it is also excluding qualified chaplains who have completed their CPE training through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP). Many of these CPSP-trained chaplains are veterans themselves who have served in combat and have firsthand experience of the challenges faced by our service members. Their unique experiences and qualifications make them highly valuable and effective in providing support to veterans. However, the current requirement does not take into account the training and qualifications of CPSP-trained chaplains, which raises questions about whether the VA is fully leveraging the expertise and experience of these chaplains. The exclusion of qualified chaplains based on narrow accreditation standards is concerning, particularly given the pressing needs of our veterans. It is crucial that we review and revise the current requirements for VA chaplaincy to ensure that we are not unintentionally excluding qualified individuals. As we honor and support our nation's veterans, let us prioritize their care and support, including spiritual and emotional support from qualified chaplains. We owe it to our service members to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to provide them with the best possible care and support. Republished with permission.
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AuthorRev. Andrew Harriott is a certified Diplomate Supervisor; Clinical Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor; and clinical fellow in Hospice and Palliative Care. He is the convener of the Spuyten Duyvil, NY Chapter. Andrew has served on the CPSP Certification Committee, and he is the former Convener of the Chapter of Chapters. Andrew's clinical pastoral education training center, International Chaplain Foundation, is in New York, NY. Archives
February 2024
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