Spirituality: a Key Component to Integrated Care

1. Spirituality: a Key Component to Integrated Care Suzanne Herrmann- Barros, MMHC, Stephan Minister

2. The Natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well……Hippocrates • Objectives • Experience connection with self through mindfulness meditation • Explore Spiritual needs of young people as they face illness • Explore techniques for spiritual support including Therapeutic Touch • Observe work of Dr. Jon Connolly who uses spirituality/hypnosis/CBT to address the issue of grief

3. What is Spirituality? • Gives transcended meaning to life, refers to the universal need for faith, love, hope, relatedness, value and dignity • Concerned with the sacred – rituals, scriptures, prayers • Often, though not always, includes a direct experience of the sacred, holy or divine • Different manifestation of spirituality: philosophy of life, core values, set of life- defining beliefs and practices • Not the same as religion: some get strength, peace and vitality in Nature, Creativity, Life meaning in family and community, Personal growth as the reason of r living

4. Making Contact how to offer support on a spiritual level • Be Present : Be Mindful • Mindful refers to a psychological quality that involves bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment to moment basis or “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose in the present moment and non-judgmentally (Kabet-Zinn) • Vanderbilt University in Tenn. has a entire department devoted to supporting cancer patients by teaching mindfulness techniques

5. Making Contact continued Time: • slow down to enter their world. It takes more time to connect to children • Get behind their eyes, get on their level, play therapy music therapy Acceptance: • Power of unconditional positive regard. Benefits of contact far outweigh the perceived attachment of your our judgments

6. Making Contact continued Leads to Trust • Often young people especially teenagers have issues of trust, especially if they see you as an image of spiritual judger Authenticity • They know when you are in your MASK. • Cannot always avoid mask it is there to protect us from feeling pain but being aware of it is the first step to be in deep healing communion with your patient and yourself.

7. Becoming Prepared to meet their spiritual needs • Existential Questions you may encounter • How could tis happen to me? Is God punishing me? Has God abandoned me? • Stay centered, present with self, don’t try to fix it, just listen • Can validate them by saying I know it feels that way right now • Avoid cliché responses

8. The Power of Touch • Every patient deserves and needs compassionate touch…what called you into nursing, wanting to care for people • Ancient practice and can be found in all religions • Dr. Virginia Satir said “The recommended daily requirement for hugs is : four per day for survival, eight per day for maintenance, and twelve per day for growth.

9. The Power of Touch • Therapeutic Touch is a contemporary healing modality drawn from ancient practices and developed by Dora Kunz and Dolores Krieger. The practice is based on the assumptions that human beings are complex fields of energy, and that the ability to enhance healing in another is a natural potential. • Therapeutic Touch (TT) has been taught in colleges around the world to over 100,000 healthcare professionals. It has a substantial base of formal and clinical research. This research has shown that TT is useful in reducing pain, improving wound healing, aiding relaxation, and easing the dying process. It can be learned by anyone with a sincere interest and motivation towards helping others.

10. Dealing with the loss Empathy with the Family • Sensitivity to the needs of the family • Often the family sees the Chaplin as a connection to the child after their passing • Empathy with yourself Dr. Jon Connelly

11. Dealing with Loss • Empathy with Family • Sensitivity to the needs of the family • Often family sees the Chaplin as a connection to the child who has passed • Empathy with Self • Dr. Jon Connolly’s Rapid Resolution Therapy as a tool to dealing with grief/spirituality

12. References • Aiken, A. (2010). Spiritual Issues in the Face of Significant Illness. • Aiken, A. (2010). Too Young to Die: Spiritual Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults. • George, R. and Finella, C. (2009). Palliative Care for Young People with Cancer, Cancer forum from Cancer Council Australia March 2009, Vol.33 Issue 1. • Kabat-Zinn, Jon. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are : Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life p. 4. • Marlatt, G.A. and Kristeller, J. (1999). Mindfulness and Meditation in Miller, W.R. (Ed), (1999). Integrating spirituality into treatment. Washington D.C. American Psychological Association. • Internet article: by American Academy of Pediatrics: Palliative Care for Children, Feb 1, 2007.

13. Weinstein, S. and Walton, O. (2004). Integrating Palliative Care in Pediatrics, Current Pain and Headache Reports (journal) Vol. 8, #4/August 2004. • Wise, A. (2002). Awakening the Mind. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Inc. p. 24-36. • www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/v/virginia_satir.html • http://www.cleartrauma.com The Institute for Rapid Resolution Therapy. Retrieved August 26, 2012. • http://www.therapeutictouch.org Therapeutic Touch Foundation Retrieved August 26, 2012.