Spiritual Care FAQs

Spiritual care is non-denominational support that addresses the deeper questions people face during grief, major life transitions, illness, or personal crisis. It's not therapy and it's not a church service — it's a dedicated space to explore meaning, process pain, and find grounding with a trained professional. Chaplain Joyce draws on clinical training and compassionate presence to meet you exactly where you are. For a full picture of what's available in San Diego, read our complete guide to finding spiritual care.

No. Chaplain Joyce works with people of all faiths and no faith at all — including those who are spiritual but not religious, agnostic, atheist, or simply unsure of what they believe. The sessions are non-denominational and judgment-free. Your beliefs (or absence of them) are honored exactly as they are. Learn more about the approach and services.

Sessions range from $40 to $75 depending on the type: Initial sessions (60 min) are $75, Follow-up sessions (45 min) are $50, and Crisis support sessions (30 min) are $40. You can review all session types and book directly here.

The initial session is a 60-minute space for you to share what brought you here at whatever pace feels right. There is no agenda to push through, no pressure to arrive at conclusions, and no judgment about where you are. Chaplain Joyce listens deeply, asks thoughtful questions, and helps you feel genuinely heard — most people leave feeling lighter than when they arrived. Read a detailed walkthrough of what the first session looks like. Ready to start? Book your first session.

No — spiritual care is complementary to therapy, not a replacement for it. Licensed therapists and counselors focus on mental health diagnoses, cognitive patterns, and clinical treatment. Chaplaincy focuses on meaning, existential questions, spiritual pain, and the human experience of suffering. Many people work with both a therapist and a chaplain because they address different dimensions of wellbeing. Learn more about what spiritual direction is and how it works. See our full list of services for more detail.

Yes. Chaplain Joyce offers both in-person sessions in San Diego and virtual sessions via video call for clients anywhere. Virtual sessions are just as personal and effective as in-person — the connection and presence translate well to video. If you're outside San Diego or simply prefer meeting from home, virtual is fully available.

Chaplain Joyce completed a clinical chaplain residency at Sharp Healthcare, one of San Diego's premier health systems, and holds a graduate degree from Bethel Seminary San Diego. She is NPI-registered as a healthcare provider and BBB Accredited. With 14+ years of experience and 200+ clients served, her background combines rigorous clinical training with deep theological grounding. Read her full story.

Go to the booking page, select the session type that fits your situation (Initial, Follow-up, or Crisis), and complete the secure checkout. You'll receive a confirmation email with next steps. The whole process takes about two minutes.

Chaplain Joyce LLC currently operates on a direct-pay model. Sessions are paid privately at the time of booking. As an NPI-registered provider, some clients may be able to submit receipts to their insurance for potential reimbursement depending on their plan — but this varies by carrier and is not guaranteed. Contact your insurance provider to ask about out-of-network spiritual care or chaplaincy benefits.

If you're in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health crises, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) anytime — it's free and available 24/7. For spiritual and emotional crisis support that isn't a medical emergency, Chaplain Joyce offers a dedicated 30-minute Crisis Support session ($40) for urgent situations. Book it here — you do not need to be an existing client. If you'd like to understand your options, our guide to finding a chaplain explains what to look for in a crisis care provider.