The Spirit of Care

29/04/2026

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of three very different, but deeply connected conversations.

One was a community talk reflecting on our family’s healthcare journey. Another was a workshop with social workers and chaplaincy, exploring how spirituality can be approached within multidisciplinary care. The third was an occupational therapy session, looking at how these themes can be thoughtfully integrated into everyday practice.

These thoughts shared by participants meant a lot to me. They're a reminder of how important it is to create space for these conversations. Whether we are talking about lived experience, grief, or spirituality in practice, people are often carrying much more than what is spoken.

Thank you to those who were part of these spaces, and who contributed with such openness and thoughtfulness.

23/04/2026

Although my public speaking topics often touch on heavy and sad experiences, there is something deeply encouraging about seeing people realise that we CAN do more as health professionals to support our clients more holistically. Care does not have to stop at diagnosis and treatment plans.

When we acknowledge a person's spirituality - especially in those moments of shock and suffering - we can support them in a way that feels more human and more complete.

I offer workshops for healthcare teams, and also speak at community events.
Enquiries can be made via my website: thespiritofcare.com.

16/04/2026

"Are we crossing a professional boundary if clients talk to us about their spiritual beliefs?”
“Would I lose my job if management found out that spirituality was being discussed?”
I've heard these types of questions and comments many times from health professionals, and fair enough. It's not the obvious part of the clinical role, so is it even allowed?
The truth is, ignoring spirituality leaves a gap in truly holistic care. But how do we go about incorporating these conversations with confidence in our daily care?
Read more in my latest article --> https://thespiritofcare.com/2026/03/10/spiritual-education-for-holistic-healthcare-practice/
and keep an eye out for my upcoming workshops and events.

Consider subscribing to my monthly newsletter if you haven't already. That's where we keep the conversations alive.

14/04/2026

Part 2 || I also shared how Emily perceived death and how she made sense of her mortality during a very confusing and scary time.

It became clear to me, very early on, that she had a sense of what was happening. A quiet awareness that went far beyond what we, as adults, sometimes expect children to understand.

Children are often deeply attuned to the realities around them. They deserve to be supported through these moments with honesty, care, and sensitivity.

This is why spiritual support in healthcare matters. Not as an add-on, but as part of how we walk alongside children and families through the entire journey.

13/04/2026

I’m running a short online lunchtime session next Monday 20th April, hosted by the Becoming Collective: 'Making Space for Meaning: Talking About Spirituality in OT Practice'

This session draws on my PhD research exploring how Australian occupational therapists understand and integrate spirituality within everyday practice.

We’ll explore:
• Key features of spirituality in occupational therapy
• The diverse spiritual themes clients may raise in therapy
• Practical ways therapists can approach conversations about spirituality

This is a space for reflection, discussion, and building confidence in engaging with an often-present but sometimes under-explored dimension of practice.

I’d love you to join us - sign up link in the comments 💛

06/04/2026

Making space for meaning. Please come along to this CPD event learn more about how body, mind and spirit can fit within healthcare: April 20th online. Hosted by The Becoming Collective. Link in the comments!

17/03/2026

Holistic healthcare asks us to see more than symptoms. It asks us to recognise the whole person and how they make sense of their diagnosis, mortality and suffering.
This month's article on thespiritofcare.com explores how health professionals can begin to bring spirituality into healthcare practice with greater confidence and care.

Read more at https://tinyurl.com/55p7kkn7

PS - If you're not subscribed to my monthly newsletter yet, do so via the "Connect" page on my website - https://thespiritofcare.com/contact

16/03/2026

A wonderful morning at Wollongong Hospital running a workshop on spirituality in healthcare together with chaplaincy coordinator Sarah Kinstead.

In this interactive session with social workers we explored what spirituality can look like in everyday clinical practice. We discussed simple ways health professionals can respectfully ask clients about spiritual concerns, how spirituality often appears in ordinary clinical conversations, and when referral to chaplaincy can be helpful.

One of the most powerful moments came when several participants shared that this was the first time spirituality had ever been discussed in their professional training or workplace.

Once the conversation began, health professionals shared stories from their own practice and reflected on how often clients speak about meaning, belief, hope, suffering and identity during their healthcare journeys.

It was encouraging to see how open and thoughtful the discussion became when there was space to explore these topics together.

Thank you to the social work team for such a rich discussion, and to Sarah for organising this workshop.

13/03/2026

Let’s pave the way for holistic healthcare by including spirituality in the conversation. We need guidelines, examples and training.

And trust me, the destination is worth it 🤗

New article on the website at thespiritofcare.com

12/03/2026

Next Monday CPD online event - In 2021, I began a PhD to do research into how spirituality can be integrated into healthcare. I did this because I've always found talking about this topic to be awkward! I've now published multiple research findings, and am in the last few months of this PhD journey.

Please come along to learn more about how body, mind and spirit can fit within healthcare: April 20th online. Hosted by The Becoming Collective. Link in the comments!

04/03/2026