Orthodox Christian caregivers are a diverse group. Your caregiving may be defined by your occupation, such as physician, nurse, counselor, occupational therapist, social worker, chaplain, or clergy. Caregivers also include nonprofessionals such as those serving in various parish and community ministries.
An inter-jurisdictional organization, the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion (OCAMPR), serves to support those in the healing arts and sciences and to discuss how the Orthodox healing traditions interface with contemporary theories and practices of care. Members share a love for Christ and a holistic view of personhood and sacredness inherent in the Orthodox faith.
I invite you to learn more about OCAMPR at www.ocampr.org. The Annual Conference is open to all and will be held November 7 – 9 at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL (Chicago area). This year’s theme is “Isolation. Violence. Hope and Communion.”
I cannot adequately express what an impact OCAMPR has been to both my personal faith and also to my professional practice of psychology. Integrating Christian truths into the therapeutic process, as well as specifically incorporating Orthodox theology and the Church’s healing wisdom, has helped me to become a more sensitive, insightful, and effective clinician, and a more committed Orthodox Christian.
