The Art Of Being A Healing Presence: A Guide for Those In Caring Relationships

by James E. Miller

"The Art of Being a Healing Presence" shows how a difference can be made in the lives of others by learning to be present in a way that is healing, nurturing, and potentially even transforming. Seven steps to being a healing present are explained, including opening onself, making the intention, preparing a space, honoring the other, offering what you have to give, receiving the gifts that come, and living a life of wholeness and balance. The book includes whole pages of quotations interspersed throughout. It's full of essential information, yet still easy to read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health, Spirituality, Relationships, Read For School

77 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sophie Mintsiveris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language of this little book is so gentle and still filled with conviction. Simple, but genuine and effective, in the spirit of Rumi and Mary Oliver. This was literally assigned reading for a course that I didn't want to read but glad I did and had an open mind for required reading. Basically it doesn't have to be revolutionary to say something meaningful

[Luke Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this in my second week of CPE, and it was really helpful in that context to flesh out and put language to a lot of how we'd been encouraged to engage during our orientation. It tracks with a lot of other Christian pastoral care/spirituality reading I'd done (especially Parker Palmer and Henri Nouwen), but is from a less contextualized source and could be applicable across faith or without a faith tradition. Along those lines, I was intrigued by the way that "healing" was depicted as its own independent force, and while I can synthesize God into that, I did appreciate their sense that we're essentially wired for wholeness, and always capable of moving closer towards it. This is the crux of the book, which gives way to their central idea that no one can be a "healer," so to speak, only a "healing presence" who bears witness to and encourages and appreciates the process of healing they recognize in others.

It's easy to be dismissive towards this and to roll our eyes at it. I get that. It's also easy to feel guilty or negligent when adopting this posture. I couldn't really trust it until I was in the moment with a grieving mother in the Emergency Department that I realized (1) she wasn't able to receive anything other than presence at that point and (2) your body and spirit can tell the difference between simply being present and offering your presence. The book gently challenges our own self-serving impulses to do more, rooted in the best and worst of intentions. That said, it does offer a few more tangible ways of thinking about what you can offer as a healing presence: chapter 9 describes "holding certainty" in the potential of healing for the Other who at the time lacks confidence in that possibility, and chapter 10 articulates how we model a way of living from our "quiet center" in times of crisis that can help others recognize they have that within themselves too. It's a very short read (made shorter by the pages of quotes), and I was tempted to give 3 stars for its relative simplicity verging on being under-developed. But I also think it's practicing what it preaches in avoiding being too directive, verbose, or heavy-handed, so I'll go for the fourth.

[Judy Croome · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Art of Being a Healing Presence" is inspirational, practical and useful. With simple but profound wisdom this short book reminds us that healing begins within. An important theme throughout the book is that healing of both body and spirit is an art, not a science. Like all the arts, healing oneself and others requires self-mastery: that ability to still the noise of the mind so that the soul's sacred whispers can be heard.

Using easy-to-read language, inspiring quotes, short chapters broken down into quick paragraphs, and ending with a summary of the steps necessary to be a healing presence, this book is essential reading for anyone who is in a caring position, whether a professional carer, or home-carer for a loved one.

"The Art of BEing a Healing Presence" is a book that "practices what it preaches" - by the time I finished reading it, I was filled with the sense of calm and purpose that can often be stripped from us in the course of our stressful days and too-busy lives.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slender and profound, this book sketches simple ideas on how to be present with one's self and others in loving ways in the midst of suffering. Simple is not easy, however, anymore than understanding a problem is the same as solving it. As T.S. Eliot put it, "between the thought and the action/ lies the shadow." This book shines light on the thought and tries to touch on the power of not doing.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Healing presence is the most effective when it's least active".
Of all the wonderful advice contained in this slim volume, the above is the most difficult for me to follow. Each person who reads this book will find something of value, not only to practice in caring relationships but in most other relationships as well.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for a CPE student.

[Lauren Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely small book was assigned reading for my Music for Healing and Transition Program training to become a Certified Music Practitioner. It speaks to the skills - some inherent, some learned - to become a healing presence in your line of work. This book is valuable for chaplains, music therapists or therapeutic musicians, volunteers, grief counselors, and the like. I highly recommend it. As of August 2025, it seems the publisher has gone out of business and only the Kindle version is available on Amazon.

[مجيدة · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a thoughtful and reflective read. Really drives the message that we can’t develop and enrich ourselves when our own vessels are empty. I also enjoyed the quotes at the start of each chapter. “You will find that the mere resolve not to be useless, and the honest desire to help other people, will, in the quickest and delicatest ways, improve yourself.”

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love their books. They seem so simple and the topics appear obvious. But it such a good reminder of the small things that tend to be overlooked in helping professions. I also love quotes, and each chapter opens with 3 to 4 beautifully centering quotes. Good book to have sit on your desk as a reminder of intentionality.

[Ajanta Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of Midwifing Death Course

[Nancy Jurss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic guide to how to be a good caregiver for those suffering from loss in one form or another. A little too basic.

[Tiffany Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for all of those who work in grief or those who will be or are caregivers of any kind.

[Jennifer Linde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good advice given throughout the books. I am a sucker for the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully presented and delivered.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book that has a lot to offer anyone who is supporting others through illness or dying.

[Jerry Grandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic and at the same time fundamental philosophy of caregiving. Quick read, perhaps a little too generic, but worth the time especially for one new to the field.

[Jess Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good knowledge
This book contains much knowledge and the biggest one is ‘It's not about you’ and you need to care for yourself before you can help others. This book will help you the reader become a healing presence while taking care of yourself.

[Sevenponds · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Art of Being a Healing Presence, a slim 2001 book written by counselor and ordained Methodist minister James Miller, is a short, sweet primer on how, exactly, to be a healing presence. As Miller defines it, it’s the simple act of being there for someone who is grieving or going through a difficult time — but that means more than physically being there. There’s a way that a person can be there mentally, emotionally and spiritually for another person. And this book advises you on how to approach such a task.

Miller prefaces the book by relating his own experience with a healing presence. Years ago, after Miller’s fiancée unexpectedly left him, Miller found comfort with a good friend of his named Tom. Tom would invite Miller over, clear the room, and simply sit and listen while Miller vented his feelings and frustrations. Looking back, Miller was struck by how little Tom actively did, and yet how important his presence was for Miller’s healing process.

[Continued]

Full SevenPonds Review:
http://blog.sevenponds.com/lending-in...

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a lovely short book about the qualities of being a healing presence? This is a great choice. Many people are uncertain about what to say or do and how to get out of the usual fix-it mode that is so familiar in our culture. Whether you have a role in the care of someone, are a healthcare worker, or just want to learn more about how to be with friends and family members in difficult times, the book will definitely offer up its riches, especially if you take a chapter at a time and practice. We are looking at using it for training purposes for a Pastoral Care Program.

[Jobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small, thoughtful book that causes self-exploration. I would definitely recommend it to yoga teachers or anyone else involved with healing modalities as well as pastors. Each chapter begins with 3-4 quotes that relate to the chapter. The advice is simple and pragmatic - anyone could follow. It is also mindful, requiring self-study and change. The writing is easy to follow and it is well organized. There isn't too much superfluous language or esoteric imagery. It is an "honest" read - it is obvious the authors live it.

[Talena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent topic for those who want to give and learn how to give more compassion. I enjoyed how the author separated curing and healing. Medicine cures, humans heal. The author expressed how to be present in the moment and how to be aware of a person's surroundings. I learned a lot and am anxious to apply them in my relationships. Short, and excellent book!

[Valerie Campbell Ackroyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking, good book for a book club

I was torn between giving this three or four stars but settled on three because sometimes the language got too intense for me—too deep in the psyche.
But I will reread this book often because what is said is so true in my experience of successful relationships.

[Daniela Landolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone in a care-giving relationship or field.

I really liked how it delved into the work one must do within oneself in order to be prepared to give healing care to others.

[Rachel Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy-to-understand approach about the ins and outs of what it means to be a healing presence. I felt like some of the ideas became repetitive, but in some cases hearing the same thing in different words under a different header does well to clarify a point.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent distillation of what it means to be a healer. Beautifully concise and insightful.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a very short book, 75 pages. It was okay but not very informative. Common sense stuff like sit quietly with someone, listen to them, hold them, etc. Well, duh.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, meditative book on being a healing presence, with an emphasis on emotionally and spiritually making space as a caregiver to being present.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on being emotionally and spiritually present in times of need. Being able to listen and comfort with few words because You Are There in Their Moment.

[Evableeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise, skillfully written, and approachable.

[Cat Voors]

Great book for relationships. Highly recommend it.