Burn out. Two words that haunt those in high stress jobs, especially in the medical profession. Long hours and the literal life-and-death nature of the field creates expectations to not only be on call at all hours, but to be at one’s best, even at 3:00 AM after a twenty-hour shift. So much energy is devoted to the care of others that self-care is forgotten.
Yet, more are noticing and research confirms that self-care is needed, not only for personal sanity but also for quality of work. Unwell medical professionals are not the best at treating others. And this self-care includes not just rest, food, and water, but a deeper care, one that tends the spiritual side as well.
To both the spiritually active and the spiritually resistant, hospital chaplain William Dorman offers a guide to understand a more comprehensive, full-bodied self-care. Each chapter begins with case studies, concrete experiences that help unpack abstract concepts which bring much needed peace to stressed individuals. Dorman also structures each chapter to end with prayers and action steps, which offer more concrete ways to care for the self.
From working as a hospital chaplain for over 18 years, and serving as the director of chaplaincy services for the largest integrated health care system in New Mexico, Rev. Dorman recognizes the stresses that come to those who have made it their profession to heal others. Healers need healing too—and this guide is the first step.

William E. Dorman, DMin, graduated from Phillips University in Enid, OK with three majors: religion, English, and philosophy. He graduated from Vanderbilt University’s School of Divinity, earning the MDiv and DMin degrees with honors. His areas of concentration were scripture, theology, and pastoral counseling. In his career, Reverend Dr. Dorman has served in a variety of settings: local congregation ministry, hospital chaplaincy, hospice care, and now as an adult military family life counselor. His passion for ideas and helping people are his underlying energies in these settings.

“This book is a great resource for anyone who provides care at the bedside and who feels the spiritual weight of their work. It would serve well as the text for a discussion group or for a class teaching spirituality as part of whole-self-care. For chaplains, it could be used as a health care Rosetta Stone, becoming the medium by which the rich imagery and spiritual power of religiously shaped spiritual exercises can be decoded and offered as sustenance to harried clinicians (APC Pastoral Care Competencies 3, 7, 8, and 9). Clergy and pastoral counselors who care for health care professionals in their communities will gain insight into the sometimes hard to articulate experiences that trouble and uplift those seeking guidance.” —Keith Goheen, BCC, Chaplain, Beebe Healthcare (APC™ Forum, March 2017, Vol. 19 No. 2)

“A carefully woven collection of case studies, intelligent advice, and direct ways to engage in the spiritual, Restoring the Healer is a great guide to anyone in the medical field who is on the verge of burnout and recognizes a need for self-care.” —Harold G. Koenig, MD, director of the Duke University Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health

“As a physician coach, I sought out Dr. William Dorman’s sage advice on restoring the well-being of many of my colleagues. I’m so delighted he has now captured the essence of his experiences in Restoring the Healer. I highly recommend Bill’s new book for all health care professionals for their own well-being in a highly stressful industry.” —William H. Brady, MD, MBA, MSc, physician coach and health care economist

“When I personally met Bill here in Albuquerque, I found him to be an exceptional human being, so the quality of his book is no surprise!” —Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation

“Chaplain Dorman has crafted a wise and compassionate spiritual care primer. His deep knowledge of the clinical environment, especially its language and culture, are evident in the structure of every chapter. His sensitivity to the demands and needs of the people who practice in the hospital setting warms every page. . . . This book is a great resource for anyone who provides care at the bedside and who feels the spiritual weight of their work. It would serve well as the text for a discussion group or for a class teaching spirituality as part of whole-self-care. For chaplains, it could be used as a health care Rosetta Stone, becoming the medium by which the rich imagery and spiritual power of religiously shaped spiritual exercises can be decoded and offered as sustenance to harried clinicians (APC Pastoral Care Competencies 3, 7, 8, and 9). Clergy and pastoral counselors who care for health care professionals in their communities will gain insight into the sometimes hard to articulate experiences that trouble and uplift those seeking guidance.” Keith Goheen BCC, Chaplain, Beebe Healthcare, Lewes, DE