Pictured: Spiritual Care Practitioners Catherine Regush (left) and BJ Dunbar (right)
October 21, 2025
Spiritual care practitioners at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) provide compassionate support to patients and families during life’s most challenging moments.
As members of the multidisciplinary team, they play a vital role in helping to deliver holistic, patient-centered care that nurtures the mind, body and soul. By combining theological insight with modern counselling techniques, spiritual care practitioners help individuals explore concepts like identity, connection, purpose and meaning – particularly in the context of a life-changing circumstance or diagnosis.
Below are some common truths and misconceptions about spiritual care at LHSC:
Misconception: Spiritual care is only for patients who are religious
Truth: Spiritual care is not connected to a specific religion or denomination. Rather, practitioners support patients who range from deeply religious to atheist (non-religious) and everything in between.
“Many people may not realize we don’t preach about or advocate for a particular religion,” explains BJ Dunbar, spiritual care practitioner. “Instead, our role is to listen without judgment and support in a way that respects each patient’s personal values and beliefs."
Misconception: Spiritual care is religious care
Truth: Religious care is just one aspect of what spiritual care practitioners offer. Much of their work involves helping patients navigate moral or existential distress prompted by a life-changing diagnosis or end of life. It may be expressed through questions like, ‘Who am I now?’ ‘Why is this happening to me?’ or ‘What does this mean for my life and legacy?’
“In moments of crisis or transition, people often feel a strong desire to reflect and re-evaluate their priorities,” says Catherine Regush, another spiritual care practitioner at LHSC. “Spiritual care offers a safe space to explore those questions and find meaning in the midst of uncertainty.”
Misconception: Spiritual care practitioners work for local religious groups and churches
Truth: LHSC’s spiritual care practitioners are hospital employees who have a background in counselling and theology. As members of the multidisciplinary care team, they are held to the same high standards as other staff. This includes a responsibility to act in the patient’s best interest and protect them from physical, emotional and spiritual harm.
They also follow the ethical and professional guidelines set by the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care or Association for Professional Chaplains. These standards require them to honor each person’s values and dignity and respect diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
Misconception: Anyone who is spiritual or religious can offer spiritual care
Truth: Spiritual care is a specialized field that requires extensive training and certification. To qualify, they must complete a master’s degree in theology, divinity or counselling, along with a minimum number of Clinical Psychospiritual Education (formerly Clinical Pastoral Education) units.
They also undergo supervised clinical practice, complete annual continuing education credits and have their competencies periodically reassessed by a board of peers to ensure they continue to meet professional standards.
Misconception: Spiritual care services are the same for each patient
Truth: Spiritual care at LHSC is deeply personalized. Because every patient’s needs are unique, practitioners begin each interaction with a simple yet meaningful question: ‘How can I best support you today?’
This opens the door to understanding whether the patient is seeking spiritual, religious, moral or ethical support. From there, the spiritual care practitioner tailors their approach to reflect the individual’s unique circumstances. No two interactions are ever alike.
Misconception: Spiritual care is only for people who are nearing end of life
Truth: While many requests for spiritual care come near the end of life, spiritual distress can arise in any context, including during recovery. For example, someone who survives a tragic incident may ask, ‘Why was I so fortunate when others were not?’ or ‘How can I make the most of this second chance I’ve been given?’
Misconception: Spiritual care can only be provided at the bedside
Truth: Spiritual care practitioners provide support wherever patients feel most comfortable, whether that’s in their hospital room or in one of LHSC’s dedicated Sanctuary spaces. These tranquil rooms are located at University Hospital (room A1-502) and Victoria Hospital (room C3-402).
The sanctuaries are open 24/7 and offer a peaceful environment for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. Designed to be inclusive and accessible, the sanctuary at Victoria Hospital features kneeling cushions, prayer mats and space for mindfulness practices. University Hospital’s provides prayer mats and a kneeling bench.
For Indigenous patients, smudging ceremonies led by an Indigenous healer can be arranged upon request. Beyond personal use, these sacred spaces also host meaningful life events such as weddings and memorials.
Accessing spiritual care
Patients and families who wish to receive spiritual care during their time at LHSC are encouraged to speak with a member of their care team. A referral can be made on your behalf, and a spiritual care practitioner will meet with you at a location of your choosing.