Psychologists collaborating with clergy

If a patient adheres to religious values and practices, should the treating psychologist get input from a clergyperson? How frequent is clergy-psychol ogist collaboration? What obstacles impede such collaboration? An explorato ry survey questionnaire was sent to 200 clergy, 200 psychologists intereste d in religious issues, and 200 psychologists selected without regard to rel igious interests or values. Four themes were assessed: types of collaborati ve activities, frequency of collaboration, obstacles to collaboration, and ways to enhance collaboration. Strategies for promoting clergy-psychologist collaboration include challenging unidirectional referral assumptions, bui lding trust through proximity and familiarity, and considering the importan ce of shared values and beliefs.