“I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains”

Addressing the Spirituality of Cancer Patients

Abstract

Spirituality is of growing interest in the field of health care and accordingly, several assessment tools and spiritual care guidelines and models are being developed. Creative bibliotherapy has a role in this field assessing and addressing the spiritual needs of patients at multiple moments during treatment. Stories of several religious traditions are known to be of use in psychotherapy and counselling. Here we focus on religious texts’ potential to support the spiritual and psychological growth and well-being of cancer patients concerning their special needs. These texts may stimulate patients to find themselves in these stories, to construct their narratives in such a way as to cohere their present, make meaning of their past, and give hope and direction to their future.