Frequently Asked Questions
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction, also called spiritual companioning or spiritual friendship, is the practice of meeting with another person (the director/companion) to keep you attuned to the spiritual part of yourself and life. The role of the spiritual director is to listen, listen more, ask questions that further spiritual growth, and provide insights or observations when appropriate to support spiritual growth.
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What does a spiritual direction session look like?
Sessions are typically one hour once a month. Prayer, silence, scripture and/or other centering practices are usually used at the beginning and end of each session. The rest of the time open for you to discuss any area of your life you want to address. It can be mundane or profound, sources of joy or sources of shame, things in the past or the present or discerning decisions for the future. I provide spiritual direction in person (Colorado Springs area), by phone, and by videochat.
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Is spiritual direction only for Christians?
Spiritual direction is open to all faiths. I am open to working with anyone wanting to deepen their spiritual life no matter their religious background (or having no religious background at all).
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What is the difference between spiritual direction and counseling? Spiritual direction and life coaching?
Spiritual direction is a spiritual discipline and a commitment to deepen one's faith life over all the parts of life. While it is normal for a person to start spiritual direction with a specific issue to address, that is not the basic purpose of spiritual direction. Counseling, even pastoral counseling, is healthiest when there is an issue to be addressed and then once the issue has resolved to complete the counseling relationship.
Life coaches are long-term relationships like spiritual direction, but once again, spiritual direction focuses on spiritual growth, whereas life coaches encourage people through their professional and personal challenges. There can be significant overlap between the two, but the way each will listen and support you will have different focuses.
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Can a person see a counselor while receiving spiritual direction?
Yes, in many cases. It is important to inform both your counselor and spiritual director of the other. Spiritual direction should not replace counseling if counseling is needed, and in some (but not all) circumstances spiritual direction can supplement counseling to address religious and spiritual issues.
Spiritual direction is not fruitful if there is a mental or emotional health issue that is at a crisis point or debilitating.
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Fine print: I am a mandatory reporter of abuse.
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How long does spiritual direction last?
Spiritual direction is a spiritual discipline and therefore lasts as long as other spiritual disciplines. For some people that means it lasts for a season, and many others it continues for years. It is also good for spiritual growth to sometimes change spiritual directors once the work is complete with one, and spiritual directors celebrate when that time comes.
What topics are covered in spiritual direction?
Is there any part of life that is not, in one way or another, spiritual? I think what surprises people most is how much they grow spiritually by discussing things they initially disregarded as being "not spiritual." Sometimes it may be very important for you to discuss points of scripture that piqued your interest or struggles in your prayer life, and at other times you may want to focus more on a new relationship or questions about your workplace or health.
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How do I know if spiritual direction is for me?
Try it. I, like most spiritual directors, meet with people a couple times before committing to working together. Before discussing payment we will make sure it is a good fit, that you will benefit from spiritual direction as opposed to another form of care, etc. Finding a good fit is very important and if I am not a good fit for you I can help connect you to other spiritual directors.
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How much does spiritual direction cost?
I charge on a sliding scale up to $60. I will never let cost interfere with a person receiving spiritual direction. Some directees appreciate the opportunity to support other directees by paying the full amount to cover those who cannot pay at all.
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What are your beliefs and how do they inform your work as a spiritual director?
I have been a Lutheran my whole life, with my share of joys and struggles of being such. I remain secure in my own faith tradition so I can allow people to grow spiritually as they need without me needing to convert them to my specific way of thinking and practicing faith. There is so much variety of how people express their faith and live out their beliefs, and I enjoy the variety. I am awe-filled with how abundant life can be when people have the chance to flourish spiritually.
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Who is the photographer responsible for the lovely images on your website?
That is my friend Anne Slattery, and I'm proud to support her work. You can check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrightEdgePhotographyByAnneSlattery/.
Photos by Anne Slattery included on this website are:
Home page: South Rim, Grand Canyon, 2013 [top]
Sycamore Tree, Albuquerque, 2013 [bottom]
About page: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, San Juan Basin, NM, 2011.
FAQs page: Casamero Pueblo Ruins, Prewitt, NM, 2013.