What do spiritual health practitioners do?

Spiritual health practitioners foster spiritual wellbeing. This is the experience of connection with self, others, and with what is understood as ultimate/Other for an individual. Integral to spiritual well-being is a sense of meaning and purpose

Spiritual health practitioners also support other care providers in understanding the role of a patient and family beliefs when it comes to choices in treatment and expressions of spiritual need.

• Listen deeply to patient/family stories
• Support patients and families in coping with spiritual distress (the experience of loss of connection and meaning) that may arise during times of injury, illness or disease
• Promote parents and families spiritual wellbeing through:
  • Spiritual reflection - namely reflection on personal beliefs, values, identity, and questions of meaning
  • Spiritual counsel
  • Support of spiritual practices
  • Provision of meaningful rituals, ceremonies, and services
  • Assisting patients and families in their own creative expression of spirituality.

Where do spiritual health practitioners work?

Spiritual health practitioners conduct their work in many different settings and contexts, including:

• Hospitals or health care centres
• Mental health facilities or community clinics
• Specialty clinics

What are the credentials for a spiritual health practitioners?

• Spiritual health practitioners have a master's or doctorate degree and have been trained for spiritual health care through clinical pastoral education (CPE)
• Spiritual health practitioners are certified through the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC)
• Certified practitioners must have membership with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC)
• Non-certified practitioners and students may have Associate Membership with CASC.