The Wounded Healer, The Patient, The Pastor, The Process
In our country, where healthcare systems face immense pressure and illness often compounds systemic hardship, caregivers and healthcare workers are called to offer more than just clinical routine. The Wounded Healer, The Patient, The Process: Being Present in Pain is designed for pastors, healthcare providers and caregivers seeking to cultivate authentic presence alongside those in suffering. Guided by Henri Nouwen's Wounded Healer model and Prof Andries Baart's Presence Theory, this course moves beyond rigid theory to offer you a reflective journey through video lessons and reflection assignments.
What you will learn
- Offer attentive, grounded support to individuals in pain without rushing to provide superficial answers or "fix" unfixable situations.
- Discover how to acknowledge and safely draw upon their own lived vulnerabilities to build deep, empathetic connections with those in distress.
- Understand the impact of illness as a loss of independence
- Identify your own personal "safe space
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Act as a respectful guest in a patients space without imposing personal or religious agendas.
Course Duration
This course will require approximately 15+ hours to complete which you can do at your own pace.
Online Delivery
Learn from the comfort of your home with this fully online short course delivered through Google Classroom. Once enrolled, you will receive an email invitation to join the classroom within 2 working days, If you don't receive the email in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder.
Course Structure
Watch each video lesson. Complete the reflection exercises. Pass the quizzes to progress through the course
Course Options
Option 1: R1,100. Includes the HospiVision Certificate of Attendance.
Financial Support
Funding is available. The Diaconia bursary and the John Templeton Foundation Scholarship both cover the R1,100 course fee (HospiVision Certificate).
⚠ Please note: if you are accepted for a bursary or scholarship, you must complete your selected course on Google Classroom within 6 weeks. If not, your place will be forfeited, as we have a limited number of bursaries and scholarships available.
Diaconia Bursary: You qualify if you are a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, Calvin Protestant Church, or United Reformed Church.
John Templeton Foundation Scholarship: If you are not a member of the above churches, you may apply for this scholarship.
How to apply for a bursary or scholarship:
- Complete the application form.
- Select the relevant bursary or scholarship option from the "Application type" dropdown at the top of this page and place your order, using the same email address you used on the form.
- We'll review your application and email you the outcome. If it's approved, your Google Classroom invitation will follow.
Enrolment Process
All online short courses must be purchased directly through our website.
EFT (Bank Transfer): Select "EFT" at checkout. Your course access will be activated once funds have cleared.
Refund Policy
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for courses not attended, but we can provide a credit note valid for 12 months. You may use it for any of our short courses or transfer it to someone else.
Placing an order for a bursary or scholarship option doesn't guarantee a place. Your enrolment is confirmed once your application has been approved.
