Humanist Chaplaincy in Practice

A Student Textbook for Non-Religious Pastoral Care
1. Auflage 2026
ISBN: 978-1-041-21571-4
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 210 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm

Humanist Chaplaincy in Practice: A Student Textbook for Non-Religious Pastoral Care is the first dedicated textbook on secular chaplaincy. Written by Dr Lindsay de Wal, who made history as the first humanist to lead an NHS chaplaincy team in the United Kingdom, this accessible and timely book equips students, professionals, and institutions to deliver inclusive emotional and spiritual support across belief systems.

Structured across ten chapters, the book combines theory, policy and real-world case studies to explore core topics such as end-of-life care, staff wellbeing, ethical decision-making, multi-faith teamwork, and humanist rituals. It draws on the author’s doctoral research into the lived experience of non-religious chaplains working in faith-based teams, as well as her leadership in shaping national policy and EU-wide training standards.

Designed for formal education and professional development, each chapter includes learning objectives, reflective exercises, discussion prompts, and further reading. The book is already under consideration for integration into European training frameworks and responds to growing global demand for non-religious pastoral care in healthcare, prisons, universities, and beyond.

This is an essential guide for the next generation of chaplains and care professionals seeking to offer compassionate, ethical, and human-centred support in today’s pluralist societies.

Zielgruppe

Professional Reference and Professional Training

Autoren/Hrsg.

de Wal, Lindsay

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Religionspsychologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionssoziologie und -psychologie, Spiritualität, Mystik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Geschichte der Westlichen Philosophie Westliche Philosophie: Neuzeit
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Sonstige Religionen Religiöse Institutionen & Gemeinschaften, Klerus, Mönchstum

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction to Humanist Chaplaincy 2. The Foundations of Humanist Chaplaincy 3. The Role and Scope of Humanist Chaplaincy 4. Training, Accreditation, and Professionalism 5. Working in Multi- Faith and Faith- Based Teams 6. Supporting Staff Wellbeing in Healthcare Settings 7. Grief, Bereavement, and End-of-Life Care in Humanist Chaplaincy 8. Humanist Rituals, Ceremonies, and Meaning- Making in Healthcare 9. Identity, Resilience, and Reflective Practice in Humanist Chaplaincy 10. Looking Forward – The Future of Humanist Chaplaincy in Healthcare

Über Autor(innen)

Lindsay de Wal is Director for Humanist-Existential Care with the European Humanist Services Network, Head of Pastoral Care for the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (NRPSN), and an internationally recognised leader in humanist chaplaincy. Her doctoral research explored the lived experiences of non-religious chaplains in UK healthcare teams, and she has shared this work globally following extensive media coverage of her historic appointment as the UK’s first humanist Head of Healthcare Chaplaincy.