Spiritual Care and Counseling for Patients and Families
When someone is in the hospital, many feelings can come up—fear, sadness, hope, confusion, and questions about faith and meaning. Sojourn offers spiritual and emotional support for patients and their families.
Our spiritual care clinicians are here to listen, sit with you, and support you during hard moments. You do not need to be religious. We will meet you with respect and care wherever you are.
What Is Spiritual Care?
Spiritual care is support for your emotions, mind, and spirit. It can help with:
- Serious illness or injury
- Grief and loss
- End-of-life comfort and questions
- Religious or spiritual questions
- Support for family members and loved ones
- Feeling lonely or alone in the hospital
Spiritual care is not therapy and not religious teaching. It is a caring presence for whatever you are going through.
“The chaplain was there when I felt like I had no hope. They helped me find something to hold onto, even in the darkest moments.”
Patient
Who We Serve
Patients
We support patients of all faiths and those who do not identify with any tradition.
Families and Loved Ones
Illness affects families too. We support loved ones who are worried, grieving, or making hard decisions.
You are not alone.
Some people are in the hospital without visitors. Others feel lonely even when people care about them. Spiritual care clinicians can visit, listen, and sit with you so you don’t have to be alone.
You can talk, be quiet, pray, share memories, or just have someone with you for a while.
“The chaplain helped us feel less alone during my cancer treatment. The compassion offered to both my mother and me meant so much.”
Patient
Our Approach
Sojourn’s spiritual care clinicians are trained to offer care that is:
- Kind and nonjudgmental
- Respectful of all beliefs and cultures
- Welcoming to people of all identities and backgrounds
- Sensitive to trauma, grief, and stress
- Supportive of religious, spiritual, and non-religious views
We will not try to change your beliefs. Our role is to support what matters to you.
How to Request Spiritual Care
If you or your loved one is a patient at San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, you can ask for spiritual care at any time.
Tell your nurse, social worker, or doctor that you would like to see a chaplain or spiritual care clinician. You can also ask for someone from your own faith tradition, if you wish.
Why Spiritual Care Matters
Being in the hospital can feel overwhelming. Spiritual care gives you a space to talk, pray, reflect, or simply sit with someone who will listen. Many people find it helpful during illness, crisis, and end-of-life care.
“The chaplain listened without judgment and stayed with me when I didn’t know what to say.”
Patient
Request Care
If you would like spiritual care for yourself or a loved one, please ask your care team to request a chaplain.
