Soul care, literally, the cultivation, nurturing, and healing of a person’s innermost being (their soul). Rooted historically in the Latin phrase cura animas (“cure of souls”), it refers to the intentional practice of tending to a person’s spiritual, emotional, and psychological health, aligning their deeper inner world with their outer life (LegalDefinitions.com, 2026).
It Focuses on the Whole Person
Unlike modern self-care, which often centers on temporary physical relaxation or stress relief (like a spa day or a vacation), soul care recognizes that the human experience is deeply interconnected. It acknowledges that emotional pain, mental exhaustion, and physical fatigue are often symptoms of a parched or misaligned spiritual center. Contemporary soul care looks past outward behavior or productivity to address core desires, hidden wounds, motivations, and the emotional currents driving a person. It shifts the focus from what a person does (their performance or roles) to who they are at their deepest, core level.
It Focuses on God
In a spiritual context, soul care is not a self-reliant or solo endeavor; it is inherently relational and anchored in the Divine. It operates on the principle that the human soul was intentionally designed by God and can only find true rest, satisfaction, and healing in relationship with Him. Practices of soul care, such as silence, solitude, contemplative prayer, and journaling, are designed to quiet external noise so a person can hear God’s voice and experience His presence.
Rather than trying to “fix” oneself through sheer willpower, soul care involves opening up the vulnerable parts of the heart to God, allowing His grace, truth, and love to bring authentic transformation. In short, while self-care asks, “What do I need right now to feel better?” soul care asks, “How is it with my soul, and how can I ground myself more deeply in God?”
Soul Care in the Modern World
In the modern world, the classical practice of soul care has shifted from being purely the work of an ordained priest or monastic figure to becoming integrated into several specialized fields (Higbee, 2025). A premier modern-day example of soul care is Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and modern hospital/military chaplaincy. Historically, soul care focused on the parish context. Today, chaplaincy applies that exact framework across secular and diverse spaces through several defining practices described below.
The Hospital or Military Chaplain
Chaplains do not just check a religious box; they practice the “cure of souls” by stepping directly into existential crises. When a patient is facing a terminal diagnosis, a chaplain is not there to treat the body (the doctor’s role) or manage the mind’s anxiety mechanisms (the psychologist’s role). Instead, they integrate both. They address the underlying spiritual distress, guilt, identity confusion, or fear of death that impacts a patient’s physical and mental state (Leslie, 2013). A chaplain helps individuals navigate their relational connection with the Divine amidst suffering. They hold space for lament, provide prayer or sacramental confession, and help the individual find a baseline of spiritual peace, meaning, and surrender to a higher power in moments of immense vulnerability.
Other Prominent Modern Equivalents
Spiritual Direction Networks: Organizations that train spiritual directors who meet one-on-one with individuals. A spiritual direction session is entirely focused on helping the person discern where and how God is moving in their life.
The Biblical Soul Care Movement: Within local congregations, ministries intentionally work to restore “the care of souls” back to the community of faith, training regular church members to counsel one another deeply rather than outsourcing all emotional and spiritual struggles exclusively to secular mental health professionals.
References:
Leslie, K. (2013). Spectrum of pastoral counseling. In D. A. Leeming (Ed.), Encyclopedia of psychology and religion. Springer.
Legal Definitions.com. (2026). Cura animarum. Retrieved from https://definitions.lsd.law/cura-animarum
Higbee, G. (2025, November 14). Ancient practice, new paradigm: Returning soul care to the body of Christ. Biblical Counseling Coalition.
