“Wakefield has written a deep, textured description of the role of the hospital chaplain that courageously leverages his personal development to vividly portray the psychological and interpersonal aspects of this calling. This impassioned. culturally astute story mosaic made me laugh and cry. The book made me want to become a chaplain!”

“Stay with Me, I Want to Be Alone is a disarmingly honest and captivating account of the work of a hospital chaplain. Written with heart, humour and humility, Keith Wakefield’s direct and soul-searching insights into what is most important at the most critical moments of human life is a vindication of the whole work of spiritual care. I laughed, I cried, I cared deeply for all involved. A wonderful book for anyone asking the deeper questions about the value of a spiritual life and of the power of spiritual care”

“As a psychologist, I journey with people through profound despair. Yet somehow, Stay With Me, I Want to Be Alone revealed new depths of being present I had yet to realize. Keith Wakefield captivates with his authentic and unapologetic juxtapositions, guiding readers through the realms of life and death, love and loss, art and humor. In the struggle of his humanness – the awkward, the beautiful – he offers a vantage point only a chaplain can provide. This book is a masterclass in healing through genuine presence, deep connection, and the pain of life. It should be essential reading for anyone in a helping profession, especially those who question the value of spiritual care.”

“Stay with Me, I Want to Be Alone is a very skillfully written book. It seamlessly interweaves the compellingly told life-story of the author and his journey into chaplaincy with a detailed and inspirational description of what that role entails. In and through reflecting on the singular vocation of the chaplain, this book insightfully explores the universal human experience of illness, suffering and death. We learn that it is more important for those accompanying the sick to ask the right questions than to have the right answers. The former are many, the later are few. I think and hope this book will inspire many to consider pursuing this uniquely meaningful form of ministry in healthcare.”

“Stay with Me, I Want to Be Alone brings humanity, humor, and reverence to the often misunderstood and complex world of clinical chaplaincy. Wakefield blends memoir with practical insight, offering a resource as valuable for teaching seminary and CPE students as it is engaging for the casual reader. With honesty and vulnerability, he invites us into moments of anxiety, joy, sorrow, and beauty—reminding us that spiritual care begins with shared humanity. Readable, relatable, and rich with wisdom, this book is both a compelling reflection and a practical tool. Chaplain educators will find it especially effective for CPE students and continuing education alike.”

“Wakefield weaves pedagogy into compelling narratives that not only makes the art of chaplaincy come alive, but also his characters. He brings out both their light and shadow—the pathos, the beauty, the deep vulnerability—with such pain-staking honesty! He writes in such a way that you end up falling in love with them. Wakefield artfully—and with such uncomfortable honesty!—breaks open his own life as the character study of what chaplaincy entails. He doesn’t merely explicate the process of being transformed, but takes us into the very heart. It’s the kind of brilliant storytelling that takes us on a journey such that we see the various dimensions of his personality, humor, pride and pain that makes the writer so likable, relatable, and trustworthy.

Wakefield addresses the most poignant questions one could ask about chaplaincy—how we enter painful spaces; how we respond to tough questions; how to negotiate theology and personal pain; the ethics around life, and even the technical details that are assumed but never really explained or taught. He takes us into his thoughts as an educator, and imparts the wisdom—the goodies—collected from literature, plays, music, and esteemed intellectuals. It feels like a rich lecture through the medium of storytelling that both delights and instructs.”

“Wakefield’s writing style invites you into an intimate journey, almost as if you are walking alongside him or even sharing his very shadow. There is a rare transparency in this book that unveils the real, often unseen challenges that chaplains face without the support they so deeply need. It offers a fresh, heartfelt perspective on chaplaincy that is unlike any other, and I encourage every chaplain to read it. This book will resonate deeply with anyone who has walked this path or seeks to understand the profound depth of this calling.”