This session will provide an overview of what spiritual care has to offer hospital patients as they navigate the uncertainty medical treatment brings to their lives. How spiritual care providers help patients and their families connect to their beliefs and values through learning to assess what is sacred to them in the face of illness, treatment, and death. 

Justin Appler, BA, MA, MPS

Justin Appler is an Interfaith Spiritual Care Provider at Sick Kids and a Psychotherapist at Head to Heart Psychotherapy. He completed his training in clinical psychospiritual education (CPE) at University Health Network (UHN). His training at UHN helped him to cultivate a deep capacity to be present with his patients amid their turmoil. He has provided care at Princess Margaret Cancer Center to oncology patients, and at Toronto General Hospital to mental health, general surgery, and cardiology patients.

As a practitioner, he embraces a person-centered, humanistic, and intersectional approach to his work with patients. His clinical experience has prepared him to work with individuals, couples, and families who are going through major life transitions such as a frightening new diagnosis, chronic illness, relationship turmoil, or the death of a loved one. While his formal training has prepared him to work with people of any faith, he is often drawn to working with people who identify as "spiritual but not religious."

Treading Above Water: Accessing Spiritual Care in the Hospital

  • Wednesday Mar 18 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Zoom Webinar