Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, Ph.D., focuses her research on the joint treatment of mental and physical health. She has research interests in the areas of clergy health, hepatitis C, substance abuse, and integration of care within systems. As someone trained in both clinical and community psychology, Rae Jean is interested in the impact of systems on individuals, and also in the environmental contexts experienced by individuals. Currently, Rae Jean is co-Principal Investigator of the Duke University Clergy Health Initiative, which seeks to understand and improve the health of United Methodist clergy in North Carolina, and includes a two-year holistic health intervention for clergy called Spirited Life.
Rae Jean is also PI, with Andrew Muir, MD, using the multiple PI mechanism, on an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial testing an innovative integrated treatment model for persons with hepatitis C and alcohol use (Hep ART). The treatment model integrates mental and physical health care through enhanced systems at the clinic level (e.g., placing addictions therapists on-site in liver clinics) and through therapy content (e.g., sessions discussing liver health, nutrition, stress, and alcohol use).