Spiritual direction is an ancient practice described throughout Hebrew and Christian scripture and tradition. In this process of “soul friendship” the directee becomes the locus of discernment and the Spirit is the “director.” The spiritual director then becomes one whom directees can talk to and share with about their deep soul space, their experience— or seemingly lack thereof— of God’s presence, and make sense of experiences in light of their spiritual understandings and search for meaning.

I draw on my formal training in Christian theology; my clinical training in Social Work; my experience as an ordained minister, practicing therapist and academic Instructor; as well as my active life of faith to inform how I sit with others in their own spiritual process…which always comes in the context of complex life, relationships, and experiences!

You can think about the spiritual direction process and relationship in various ways:

• An attempt to welcome the loving presence of God with more awareness (however the directee understands God or Spirit)

• Identifying a safe, hospitable, listening space to share thoughts, feelings, doubts, questions about one’s spiritual journey or specific beliefs

• Finding a spiritual companion in a decision-making season

• Utilizing a named “sacred” space on an uncharted spiritual path that has been disrupted by trauma or grief

• Desire to dwell more deeply in God’s active presence; a journey out of the head and into the heart (or seeking balance between the two)

• A search to redefine God and expand your ideas about how Spirit moves and how faith functions in this world