The Role of a Spiritual Director

The foundational spiritual direction question for the director to ask is, “How have you been experiencing God’s presence?” (The Practice of Spiritual Direction by William A. Barry and William J. Connolly).

But Dallas Willard suggested that a great spiritual direction question is, “What is bothering you?” That guards against the conversation being “spiritual” in an idealistic or intellectual way and promotes it being genuine and authentic to the client’s actual life. Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” (Rom 12:15). That’s wording for the empathy that invites the real talk that is the heart of a great spiritual direction relationship.

Spiritual direction and therapy are distinct forms of support, each with its own focus and purpose. Spiritual direction primarily revolves around matters of the spirit, exploring and nurturing an individual's relationship with the divine or their spiritual source. It delves into questions of meaning, purpose, faith, and personal spirituality. The goal of spiritual direction is to deepen the individual's spiritual connection, foster growth, and provide guidance on their spiritual journey. In contrast, therapy primarily focuses on mental health and emotional well-being. It addresses psychological, emotional, and behavioral challenges that may impact an individual's overall functioning and quality of life. The aim of therapy is to promote psychological healing, growth, and well-being through evidence-based techniques and interventions. While there can be overlap and integration of spiritual elements in therapy and psychological exploration in spiritual direction, it's essential to recognize their distinct focuses and goals.

Spiritual direction and biblical counseling are distinct approaches to providing support and guidance, each with its own emphasis and methodology. Spiritual direction focuses on the individual's spiritual journey, exploring matters of faith, meaning, and personal spirituality. It involves deep listening, reflection, and guidance from a spiritual director who helps individuals deepen their connection with the divine and integrate spirituality into their lives. On the other hand, biblical counseling centers around the application of biblical principles and teachings to address psychological and relational issues. It emphasizes the authority of scripture in providing guidance and solutions. Biblical counselors use biblical wisdom and counseling techniques to help individuals navigate challenges, heal emotional wounds, and strengthen their relationship with God. While both spiritual direction and biblical counseling may draw on spiritual resources, they differ in their approaches, with spiritual direction focusing on the broader spiritual journey and biblical counseling placing emphasis on the application of biblical principles in counseling contexts.

Spiritual direction and coaching are distinct approaches to support and personal development, each with its own focus and methodology. Spiritual direction primarily centers around the individual's spiritual journey and deepening their connection with the divine. It involves exploring questions of faith, meaning, and personal spirituality through reflective conversations and guidance from a spiritual director. The focus is on fostering spiritual growth, discernment, and aligning one's life with spiritual values. Coaching, on the other hand, focuses on helping individuals set and achieve specific goals, overcome obstacles, and maximize their potential in various areas of life. Coaches provide structure, accountability, and skill-building to facilitate personal and professional development. While spiritual direction may encompass broader aspects of a person's life, coaching tends to be more goal-oriented and focused on specific outcomes. Spiritual direction emphasizes the spiritual dimension, while coaching addresses a wide range of personal and professional goals and aspirations.

In our first meeting, as a Spiritual Director, I will briefly introduce my approach to spiritual direction and answer your questions. Then you’ll be given a safe and confidential space to introduce yourself and what you need from spiritual direction. As a Spiritual Director, I will ask you questions to guide the conversation. You can ask for your sessions to include an opening prayer, Scripture meditation, quiet prayer, or a closing prayer of empathy and blessing. As a Spiritual Director, I do my best to customize the sessions according to your feedback and needs.

I offer 1:1 individual and group Spiritual Direction over the phone, via Google Meet Up video calls, and in-person. We can co-create the type of coaching engagement that will work best for your needs.

The cost is $75 for a 50-minute session. (If you need a reduced fee, you can ask about this.) Meetings are typically monthly but can be arranged more or less frequently. You can schedule single, multiple, or ongoing meetings.

During your spiritual direction sessions, you can expect a gentle and compassionate space where you can share your spiritual experiences, questions, and insights. As a Spiritual Director, I will listen deeply, ask open-ended questions, and provide reflective feedback to support your spiritual journey.

Sessions are highly individualized and respect your unique beliefs and spiritual background. As a Spiritual Director, I may suggest contemplative practices, meditation, journaling, or other exercises to deepen your exploration and enhance your spiritual connection.

The spiritual direction relationship is one of trust, respect, and confidentiality. As a Spiritual Director, I am committed to creating a sacred space where you can be your authentic self and explore your spiritual path without judgment.