Chaplains provide spiritual care to anyone and everyone. This can mean accompanying those with whom the chaplain may have profound spiritual, religious, political, cultural, or other differences. What is the “radical acceptance” required to provide meaningful spiritual care, and how can aspiring chaplains begin preparing themselves for this crucial, but often quite difficult, aspect of the work?

Tahara Akmal is Clinical Pastoral Education Manager at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Jason Callahan is an instructor in the Department of Patient Counseling, College of Health Professions, and chaplain for the Thomas Palliative Care Unit in Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center.