Question 1

How do I ensure a safe, nonjudgemental space for Clients?

Accepted Answer

1. Rules/commitments recited and agreed upon by both Chaplain and Client in the beginning of each session
2. Exercise self-awareness of personal biases and limitations
3. Continually build a referral network of professionals
4. Refer Clients w/ medical etiologies (defined by DSM5)
5. Refer substance abuse / physically abusive Clients to Clinical Counselors
6. Advocate for the privacy / confidentiality of Clients

Question 2

How do I envision the ideal therapeutic relationship with my Clients?

Accepted Answer

1. Honest / genuine
2. Committed
3. A partnership in the healing process (for the Client)
4. A partnership in the healing process (for the Community)

Question 3

What are my core values and beliefs about counseling and healing?

Accepted Answer

1. Human life consists of a functioning psyche / thinking mind (pseuche, or spirit), beating heart with air in the lungs (pneuma, or spirit), and a body of flesh (soma) that allows the human being to behave, or interact with the world around him/her.
2. There is no metaphysical, immortal consciousness residing in the body—often referred to as a "soul." A "soul" is a living life, described above. Psycho-spiritual health is achieved by harmonious, synergistic function between all aspects of the human being.
3. Psychology can be used to assess and assist with disturbances (or psycho-spiritual imbalances) in an organically healthy Client, by assessing the conscious critical mind (for cognitive distortions), the less conscious beliefs and values (for irrational beliefs, personal values violations, and deficits in spiritual [or basic] needs), with maladapted behaviors.
4. Healing is expected when realignment is achieved,  through making adjustments to the thought processes, beliefs / values / spiritual needs, and behavioral patterns, with the Client's goals squarely in mind.

Question 4

What are my unique strengths and expertise as a Chaplain / Interfaith Counselor?

Accepted Answer

1. Life experience, to include deployments in the infantry, years of service as a medic and a nurse, as well as a leader—in the military and in the Church.
2. Counseling skills / Coaching Certifications in: Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (Preferential REBT), Neurolinguistic Programming, and more. 
3. Evidence-based Approaches, such as Prepare-Enrich® Marital Assessment Tool, and Grief Recovery Method®.
4. The ability to be as religious (or unreligious) as the Client wants to be—prayer is always conducted internally, and offered externally once in each session.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of my work?

Accepted Answer

My primary purpose as a Chaplain / Interfaith Counselor, is to reduce and prevent unnecessary psycho-spiritual suffering in the world around me, and to advocate for psycho-spiritual health.

Question 6

Who are the Clients I aim to serve?

Accepted Answer

I serve Soldiers, DA/DOD Civilians, and DEERS registered dependents.