image of Kelly Collins
"Spiritual health care is about helping people connect with the best parts of their lives, especially when they’re in a crisis."
Credit
Matthew Manor

When she first started training to be a spiritual health practitioner, it wasn’t long before Kelly Collins was telling her supervisor:  “I want your job.”

That certainty remains strong after 10 years of spiritual health care training, practice and teaching in various health-care settings, including a new role as spiritual health director at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Those ten years have taught her that supporting spiritual health is largely about helping people answer one particular question.

“What makes life meaningful for the person?  Is it a religious belief? Relationships? Work? Hobbies? I’ve heard loads of stories about fishing and the best places to fish!  If that’s where people find meaning in their lives—where they find hope and the will to continue on—then that’s where I go there with them. 

“Patients in hospital can spend lots time looking up at the ceiling thinking about old hurts and relationships but good times, too. Spiritual health care is about helping them connect with the best parts of their lives, especially when they’re in a crisis. 

“Introducing yourself as a spiritual health practitioner isn’t about proselytizing—sometimes we have to reassure patients about that.  What we’re really saying is, ‘I’m here to listen. I’m open to your story.’ If the situation is chaotic, then we’re a grounding force. We help give the person or family the space to grieve or be angry and afraid.”

The spiritual health practitioner role is more integral to patient care than ever before, says Collins, who is also a psychotherapist and an ordained chaplain.

“We’re more integrated into clinical teams, where we’re recognized as professionals who provide care to the part of person you can’t touch, where there can be emotional or spiritual distress.”

Does she think she brings a superpower to her job?

“I’ve been described as the pier where boats can anchor and weather the storm. I think that image works for me. And it’s a good way to think about all spiritual health practitioners.”