Member Login

Welcome to the Psychodynamic Chaplaincy Division

The Psychodynamic Chaplaincy Division of the Spiritual Care Association focuses on the inner, psychological, and soulful dimensions of care. It serves a wide array of professionals—chaplains, social workers, nurses, first responders, psychologists, and others—who seek to integrate psychodynamic theory into their spiritual care practice.

Why Psychodynamic Chaplaincy?

Have you ever walked away from a patient interaction sensing you did well—but wondering if something deeper was possible? Many seasoned chaplains reach a point in their career where they desire more depth, more nuance, and more tools in their spiritual care toolkit.

This division is for those who feel that call.

Who This Is For

We welcome all spiritual care providers and allied professionals—chaplains, nurses, psychologists, and social workers—who are looking to deepen their practice through psychodynamic approaches. This work appeals to those who seek a broader palette for healing, one that includes the psychological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

What Is Psychodynamic Chaplaincy?

Psychodynamic chaplaincy is a spiritual care approach rooted in psychological theory. It is distinct yet interconnected with related disciplines such as:

  • Pastoral psychodynamic psychotherapy
  • Spiritually integrated psychotherapy
  • Clinical pastoral psychotherapy
  • Pastoral counseling

It brings together the inner workings of the soul (psyche) and the principles of psychodynamic theory to inform how we engage in healing relationships.

Understanding Psychodynamics

The term “psychodynamics” borrows from “thermodynamics”—both deal with the flow and transformation of energy. Psychodynamically, this energy refers to unconscious drives and instincts shaped by our past, manifesting in the present.
Core elements include:

  • Early life experiences
  • Dreams and symbols
  • Relationships with self, others, and the divine
Foundational Thinkers and Theories
This field draws on a deep well of psychological theory and practice, including:
  • Sigmund Freud – Psychoanalysis
  • Carl Jung – Analytical Psychology
  • Melanie Klein – Object Relations
  • John Bowlby – Attachment Theory
  • Erik Erikson – Psychosocial Development
  • Eric Berne – Transactional Analysis (Parent/Adult/Child ego states)
  • Anna Freud – Ego Psychology and Defense Mechanisms
  • Donald Winnicott – True Self / False Self
  • Wilfred Bion – Containment and unconscious group processes
These thinkers inform how psychodynamic chaplains understand the formation of self, patterns of behavior, and healing relationships.
Core Skills of a Psychodynamic Chaplain
Psychodynamic-trained chaplains are equipped to recognize and work with:
  • Transference and countertransference
  • Parallel process and isomorphism
  • Unconscious drives, instincts, and emotional patterns
  • The interplay of past and present in patient behavior
  • The role of embedded vs. deliberative theology in shaping belief systems
They understand the unconscious self as dynamic and evolving, and they use self-awareness as a primary tool in spiritual care.
The Role of the Self in Healing
Psychodynamic chaplains are deeply self-reflective. They recognize:
  • The power of self-knowledge in pastoral care
  • The impact of relationship dynamics over time
  • The importance of appropriate self-disclosure
  • How to bring calm, presence, and containment to emotionally charged environments
By viewing the self as the primary instrument of care, they become grounded healers—attuned to the psychodynamics at play within themselves and in the healing relationships they foster.

A Home for Healers of the Soul

At its core, psychodynamic chaplaincy is about soul healing. It offers a profound way to meet others in their suffering, and to accompany them toward integration and wholeness.

This is the depth of healing that seasoned chaplains long to offer.

If this speaks to you—you’ve found your home.
Scroll to Top