The Development and Feasibility of a Novel Group Intervention to Support Helping Professionals in Metabolizing Suffering and Engaging Strengths: The CHRYSALIS Program

ABSTRACT

This feasibility study reports on the development and initial evaluation of a novel online intervention for helping professionals (HPs; i.e. mental health professionals, chaplains, clergy) designed to (a) address occupational hazards, such as burnout and vicarious traumatization, and (b) promote well-being and flourishing at work. In contrast with competency and self-care focused models, the CHRYSALIS (Catalyzing Helping Professionals’ Resilience, VitalitY, Spirituality, Authentic Living, and Inner Strength) intervention centers the self of the provider, explores cultural and spiritual contexts, and attends to systemic challenges. As part of a larger randomized controlled trial evaluating two program formats, the group format entails eight online sessions exploring strengths that can promote well-being, including processing, relational, vitalizing, orienting, and agentic capacities. To pilot test this framework and establish proof of concept, this study analyzed data from 41 HPs who had been randomly assigned to the group condition and completed surveys at four time points. Quantitative results indicated significant reductions in vicarious traumatization and burnout as well as increased well-being and meaning in work. Qualitative results suggest the intervention fostered relational support, cultivated new perspectives, and increased engagement with strengths, positively impacting participants’ work and navigation of caregiving systems. Feedback about cohesion and group dynamic challenges in an online format informed further program development. This study provides initial support for the feasibility and efficacy of the group format of the CHRYSALIS intervention as a creative means to address HPs’ risk for occupational hazards and promote holistic formation in a relational context.

Acknowledgment

We want to express gratitude to all the group leaders involved in facilitating the program described herein, and for the feedback they provided throughout the pilot phase.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2024.2329565.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by grants from The Peale Foundation (Positive Psychology and Formation-Based Flourishing among Spiritual Leaders and Therapists) and The John Templeton Foundation (Mental Healthcare, Virtue, and Human Flourishing; No.61603).

Notes on contributors

Laura E. Captari

Laura E. Captari is an academic researcher and licensed psychologist at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute at Boston University. Elise Ji Young Choe is an academic researcher and licensed psychologist at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute. Sarah A. Crabtree is the assistant director of research and a licensed couple/marriage and family therapist at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute. Steven J. Sandage is a licensed psychologist, the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology at Boston University, and research director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Psychology. Judith A. Gerstenblith is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute. Laura B. Stein is a doctoral student at the Boston University School of Theology. Rev. Kristen R. Hydinger is a researcher at the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute. George Stavros is a licensed psychologist and executive director of the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute.