Spiritual Care & Pastoral Care
When life changes, the questions we carry can change too.
Some experiences leave us with questions that are difficult to answer.
The loss of someone important. A serious illness. A change we did not expect. A belief that no longer feels certain. Or the quiet feeling that something meaningful in our life has shifted.
These experiences can affect not only how we feel, but also how we understand ourselves, our relationships and the world around us.
Spiritual care offers an opportunity to talk about these questions without needing to have answers or make sense of everything straight away.
It is a conversation about what matters to you — your experiences, values, beliefs and the things that give your life meaning.
You do not need to be religious or consider yourself spiritual to seek spiritual care.
What Is Spiritual Care?
Spiritual care is concerned with how we find meaning, purpose and connection in our lives, particularly when these are challenged by illness, loss, uncertainty or change.
For some people, spirituality is connected with faith, religion or spiritual traditions. For others, it may be found in family, relationships, culture, nature, community or personal values.
Spiritual care is not about providing answers, giving religious advice or encouraging someone to believe in a particular way.
Spiritual care begins with listening and understanding what matters to you, while making room for the experiences, questions and concerns you wish to explore.
Sometimes these conversations are about faith. Sometimes they have nothing to do with religion.
How Spiritual & Pastoral Care May Help
People seek spiritual care for different reasons. Sometimes it is during a difficult time; at other times, it is simply to reflect on what matters most in their lives.
Depending on your circumstances, the support I offer includes:
Spiritual Counselling, Guidance & Education: Exploring questions about faith, beliefs, meaning, purpose and personal values.
Grief, Loss & Bereavement: Finding a way to live with loss, remember someone important or adjust to life after a significant change.
Emotional & Spiritual Support: Offering a listening presence and an opportunity to reflect during times of emotional distress, uncertainty or significant personal difficulty.
Life Transitions: Reflecting on changes in relationships, family, identity, health or life circumstances.
Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Care: Supporting individuals and families as they face serious illness, dying, uncertainty and questions about what matters most.
Prayer & Ritual: Offering or facilitating prayer and spiritual practices when requested and appropriate to your beliefs and traditions.
Hospital Visits: Providing spiritual and pastoral support during hospital stays, subject to availability and hospital arrangements.
You do not need to be religious, have a particular belief or be experiencing a crisis to seek spiritual care.
My Approach to Spiritual Care
I am Phuong Tran, a Spiritual Care Manager credentialled at Level 3 with Spiritual Care Australia (SCA).
In my work, I have met people whose lives have been changed by illness, loss, difficult relationships and circumstances beyond their control.
These experiences have reminded me that not everything in life can be explained or resolved. Sometimes, people are trying to understand what has happened, what it means for them and how to live with what has changed.
I believe spiritual care begins with listening carefully, without assuming that I know what another person’s experience means.
My role is not to give you answers about life, faith or what you should believe. It is to explore these questions with you while respecting your experiences, culture, values and choices.
Alongside spiritual care, I also practise counselling, psychotherapy and clinical supervision. These are distinct areas of practice, and I am mindful of their different purposes and professional boundaries.
I offer spiritual care to people from different religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds, including those who do not identify with any religion.
Sessions are available in English and Vietnamese.
What to Expect
A spiritual care session is a conversation shaped by what you would like to explore.
You may wish to talk about grief, faith, uncertainty, family, illness or changes in your life. You may also be unsure where to begin.
There is no expectation to pray, participate in religious practices or share beliefs you would prefer to keep private.
We can take time to understand what you are experiencing, reflect on what matters to you and consider the sources of meaning or support that may be helpful.
Spiritual care is different from counselling or psychotherapy, although some concerns may overlap. If another form of support would better meet your needs, we can discuss this together.
Appointments & Enquiries
If you are considering spiritual care and are unsure whether it is appropriate for your circumstances, you are welcome to contact me.
We can discuss what you are looking for, the nature of spiritual care and available appointment arrangements.
Spiritual Care Services | Session Options, Fees & Online Booking
Important Information
Spiritual care is provided by appointment and is not an emergency or crisis response service.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger in Australia, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
