SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
What is Spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is a form of listening relationship in which a trained guide assists a person with learning to recognize and align their lives more fully with the movement of God. Through conversation, guided self-reflection, and prayer, we can become better attuned to the patterns of our lives that reveal how God is already working in, through, and with us. Spiritual direction ultimately equips participants with the tools for discernment, which is the ancient art of learning to listen humbly and deeply, amidst all the other voices we encounter each day, to those nudges that invite us to grow in selflessness, wisdom, and love. ​​
focus & Themes
In both short-term and long-term spiritual direction, I find it helpful to identify a specific theme or area of focus that will ground our conversations and provide a reference point for growth. ​We will work together during our initial session to discuss what you most need during this season of life, so that we can mutually discern how best to spend our time together.
Short-Term Focused:
1-3 sessions over 1-2 months
This timeframe is designed for those who would like to receive personal guidance about a specific spiritual discipline or practice, as well as those seeking one-on-one conversation about a particular theological question or topic within a very contained timeframe. This option can also be helpful for those who are preparing to go on a retreat, in the weeks leading up to a major life event, transition, or decision, and for those in an intense period of self-reflection (like an extended sabbatical).
Possible themes might include:
Discernment of purpose, calling, vocation, or next steps
Developing a regular, authentic, and sustainable practice of prayer
Processing theological questions, doubts, or perplexing spiritual experiences
Connecting inner spirituality with religious practice and everyday life
Learning more about a specific spiritual discipline or idea
Exploring faith after religious or spiritual harm*
My approach
conversational
Some contemporary approaches to spiritual direction seek to replicate more of a secular or clinical atmosphere. My practice, however, is rooted in the living faith community of Christianity and the monastic traditions from which the practice actually emerged. Within this tradition, spiritual direction can be conversational or quiet. It really just depends on the person and the context. The primary posture in spiritual direction is paying attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit. For some, this is facilitated best through contemplative silence. For others, a more informal and interactive style can help highlight the ways in which God shows up relationally in the process of raw dialogue. I try to incorporate both approaches, seeking to be flexible in adjusting my posture to the needs of the person and the moment.
CONTEXTUAL
My training in social psychology helps me to appreciate the significant impact that socioeconomic conditions and cultural-linguistic frameworks can have on our identity and sense of self, especially when it comes to spirituality and religion. Experiences of class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, family instability, mental illness, and/or disability can all shape how we interact with others and with God, as well as how we might hear and interpret certain kinds of spiritual or religious language. I strive to maintain self-awareness about my own social location, and remain open to learning about the experiences of others, while always being mindful of how larger social structures might be impacting a person's experience.​
Developmental
My psychological training is rooted in a non-linear developmental model that assumes each person is on a journey towards greater self-awareness, maturity, and insight that lasts throughout the course of their lifetime. People face different kinds of challenges, and hold different kinds of questions, at different ages and stages of life. We also may have varying levels of "readiness" for certain kinds of insights at different times. Drawing wisdom from contemplative Christianity as well as psychodynamic theory, Bowen theory, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), I strive to walk humbly, attentively, and compassionately alongside people at every life stage.​
Trauma-Informed*
The work of clinical trauma researchers like Victor Frankl, Judith Herman, George Bonnano, and Ramani Durvasula, along with Biblical scholars like David Carr, and cultural theorists like René Girard and Catherine Liu, have all informed my understanding of the complex relationship between grief, trauma, community, spirituality, and religion. Through personal experience, I am particularly attuned to the unconscious responses that develop from prolonged exposure to narcissistic and adversarial relational conditions. My goal is to remain sensitive and compassionate while also supporting the movement towards growth, healing, and resilience.
Click here to download a (pdf) brochure about my unique approach to spiritual direction!
*PLEASE NOTE: Spiritual direction is not a substitute for therapy. Though my practice is informed by social psychology, depth psychology, and trauma studies, I am not a licensed mental health professional, nor do I have the ability to provide the kind of ongoing support necessary for those healing from acute anxiety, depression, grief, or untreated mental illness.
For this reason, I will always encourage anyone impacted by past trauma, mental illness, or active grief to connect with a licensed mental health professional in order to make sure they are getting the support they need in their own journey towards healing, recovery, and resilience.