Abstract

Meeting the psychological and spiritual needs of patients is vital to supporting their wellbeing in health care settings. To develop an effective, holistic and inclusive approach to care within predominantly medical health care models, practitioners across health care disciplines must work collaboratively to understand the complex, significant relationships between their patients' medical, therapeutic and spiritual requirements.

Bridging the gap between care disciplines, the book presents an innovative vision of patient wellbeing enriched by a synthesis of psychological, spiritual and medical approaches. Prominent practitioners from a range of disciplines including nursing and psychiatry demonstrate how their psycho-spiritual approaches meet the individual needs of patients, adapting to their emotional, spiritual and religious requirements.

Accessible and enlightening, this book offers significant practical insight into the role of psychologically informed spiritual care.

Guy Harrison has produced a fascinating book which explores wide-ranging and genuinely new facets of psycho-spiritual care. This curiously compelling blend of personal research and inter-disciplinary reflection puts flesh and feeling on the bones of rigorous analysis. A truly holistic achievement which prompts rich and radical thinking.
The Revd Canon Dr Margaret Whipp, practical and pastoral theological educator, former consultant oncologist and Lead Chaplain at Oxford University Hospitals

This book will be required reading for the rapidly growing number of health care practitioners and trainees who want to know more about the contribution psychologically informed spiritual care can make to psychological health in the UK.
Accessible and engaging, it provides an excellent overview of the development of psycho-spiritual care in the context of holistic health. Harrison and his colleagues invite the reader on an important journey, grounded in innovative research and illustrated with fascinating case vignettes, which gives a voice to the lived experience of patients and health care staff alike.

Professor Simon du Plock, Faculty Head, Faculty of Post-Qualification and Professional Doctorate, Metanoia Institute & Middlesex University
This easy-to-read book draws on more than two decades of experience of working with patients and carers. The result is a compelling book that provides important insights into the nature of care and caring. Highly recommended for all who are interested in contributing to a holistic care environment.
Professor Debra Jackson PhD FACN, Director of the Oxford Institute of Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Research (OxINMAHR)