Spirituality and countertransference: Individual and systemic considerations

Spirituality is now routinely included in the arc of palliative or holistic care. In spite of this recognition, its importance can be compromised unless countertransference in its many forms gains more attention. In this article, individual and systemic considerations related to the intersection of spiritualty and countertransference in hospice and palliative care will be addressed, with particular emphasis on practitioner implications. A framework, developed by Kenneth Pargament will be extended to highlight perceptions that can exacerbate countertransference and spirituality. Practitioner questions useful in eliciting spiritual matters are included.