"Listening when silence speaks" - Clinical pastoral care at Zollikerberg Hospital
Pfrn. Sabine Schneider
September 25, 2025
5 min
Clinical counselling is much more than just a conversation: it means providing empathetic support in times of illness, crises and existential challenges. In this interview, Pastor Sabine Schneider talks about her experiences as a hospital chaplain - about quiet moments of togetherness, dealing with powerlessness and how small gestures are often enough to give people support and guidance in stressful situations.
What distinguishes clinical pastoral care from other forms of pastoral counselling - especially in the setting of an acute hospital?
A hospitalisation is like a cut in the daily routine - it interrupts the usual routine. Suddenly it becomes clear: "My body is vulnerable." - "I can't manage on my own, I need help." Perhaps the question even arises: "Am I going to die?" Such thoughts quickly fade into the background in the hamster wheel of life. I therefore experience conversations at the bedside - and in hospital in general - as more focussed and more existential. I really appreciate that. Pastoral care in a parish has a different scope.
How do you support patients in existential crises, e.g. after a stressful diagnosis or before a serious operation?
In my experience, the most important thing at such times is to listen - to listen, to listen. This creates a space in which there is room for everything that is frightening, terrible, fearful and apprehensive, but also beautiful. For me, questions are secondary to listening, they help to clarify. I also offer spiritual forms, such as prayer, blessing or reciting a psalm. However, I only do this with prior consent.
Relatives are also often under a lot of pressure. How do you deal with them as a counsellor - and what can you achieve in such situations?
The distress of relatives is often very great indeed. They often have few opportunities to talk about their worries. The same applies to them as to patients: listen and ask questions. I also talk to them about how they perceive their own limits in terms of support and point out possible networking opportunities.
How do you deal with spiritual questions, doubts or hopes when people themselves have no religious affiliation?
Everything that moves people - including spiritual questions, hopes and doubts - is important and should be taken seriously. Religion and spirituality are very personal, often intimate topics. I provide support where it is desired and accept a "no" at any point. Sometimes I raise the issue of faith or religion on my own initiative if I have the impression that it could be helpful. This is always an open offer. In the hospital, I experience that very different people deal with faith or community - regardless of whether they belong to the church, have left or are affiliated with another religion.
What does the collaboration between pastoral care and other professional groups such as nursing, doctors or psychology look like in concrete terms?
I am sometimes involved in institutionalised exchange meetings, but a lot also happens informally in the corridor or in the ward room. I really appreciate these encounters. There are many of us who work for and with patients. It's important to know about each other.
Are there typical misunderstandings about your work in hospital that you experience time and again - and how do you deal with them?
When I introduce myself as a hospital chaplain, some people initially think I want to convert them. I then say: "I'm here because I want to hear how you're doing." Many then put this thought to one side, others stick with it - and I respect that too.
In an environment that is heavily characterised by time pressure and medical procedures, how do you maintain the space for presence, silence and personal encounters?
I consciously build what gives me peace into my everyday life - it changes over the years. Today, it's mainly the water that does me good. For me, it's like a gift from God when I go swimming. Lunchtime meditation on Tuesdays at the hospital is also part of it. I also often pause briefly in front of a patient's room, breathe calmly and send a silent prayer to heaven before I enter.
