Healthcare facilities serving religiously diverse patient populations face complex challenges when attempting to provide meaningful spiritual care. Most treatment centers either avoid spiritual programming entirely to prevent potential conflicts, or offer narrow denominational approaches that may alienate patients from different faith traditions. The challenge becomes particularly acute in residential settings where patients spend extended periods in treatment and may have varying spiritual needs that intersect with their clinical conditions in complex ways.
Beyond Denominational Programming
Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center addressed religious diversity through a two-tiered approach that provided general spiritual support for all residents while offering specialized Christian programming for those who desired it. The facility welcomed “women of all religions, faiths, and beliefs” while simultaneously maintaining The Grace Program as an optional Christian track.
This inclusive framework enabled the facility to address universal spiritual themes while respecting particular religious commitments. General spiritual programming at Timberline Knolls included practices that could benefit residents regardless of their specific faith background, such as meditation, mindfulness exercises, and opportunities for reflection and meaning-making. The facility incorporated “core spiritual programming” that was “woven into the treatment schedule” and included “daily morning devotions and meditation” that could accommodate diverse spiritual approaches.
The facility’s chaplain, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Hulford, DMIN, BCC, provided spiritual care that extended beyond Christian counseling to include interfaith competency and general spiritual support. Her continuing education programs addressed “the history and practice of spirituality and gratitude across cultures,” demonstrating commitment to understanding diverse spiritual traditions.
Acadia Healthcare’s support for this inclusive approach enabled Timberline Knolls to develop programming that served diverse patient populations without compromising the quality or depth of spiritual care. This organizational flexibility proved crucial for maintaining both inclusivity and meaningful spiritual support across different faith communities.
Respecting Religious Diversity While Offering Christian Options
The facility’s approach to religious diversity emphasized patient choice and individual spiritual exploration rather than conversion or indoctrination. Staff at Timberline Knolls explicitly stated that their goal was not to “teach clients our own beliefs” but rather to help them “explore and develop their beliefs and use them to heal and grow.”
This patient-centered approach enabled residents from diverse backgrounds to engage with spiritual dimensions of recovery while maintaining their own religious commitments or exploring spirituality in ways that felt authentic to their personal journey. The optional nature of The Grace Program ensured that Christian-specific programming enhanced rather than replaced general spiritual care available to all residents.
“The Sanctuary” served as a dedicated “sacred space on our campus that offers a supportive place for our residents to pray, meditate, and reflect.”. This interfaith space symbolized the facility’s commitment to honoring diverse spiritual practices while providing a dedicated environment for spiritual reflection and practice.
Universal Spiritual Themes in Recovery
Timberline Knolls recognized that certain spiritual themes transcended particular religious traditions and could benefit all patients regardless of their specific faith background. The facility’s comprehensive approach treated patients through attention to “mind, body, and spirit,” acknowledging that spiritual well-being contributed to overall recovery outcomes.
Throughout its operation under Acadia Healthcare until its closure in February 2025, Timberline Knolls demonstrated that treatment facilities could successfully serve diverse religious populations while maintaining specialized programming for specific faith communities. The facility’s model provided practical guidance for healthcare organizations seeking to address spiritual needs inclusively without compromising the depth or authenticity of spiritual care.
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