Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction- A Next Step in Your Faith?

Every spiritual journey is sacred and unique. For many, it is helpful to find a guide or companion to walk with us along the path, at least part of the way. As you think about opportunities to explore your faith, your call to vocation, work and/or relationship, you might consider Spiritual Direction as a next step in your spiritual journey.

What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is an ancient Christian tradition of holy listening. In spiritual direction, a directee (also known as a seeker) explores the spiritual journey with the help of a trained director to discover the movement and action of God in one’s life.

What happens in Spiritual Direction?
In spiritual direction, a trained spiritual director companions a seeker on his or her spiritual journey. They come together in sacred conversation to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Learning to discern God’s will in one’s life is an essential component of spiritual direction. This activity can also occur in groups in group spiritual direction.

Why do people seek spiritual direction?
People seek spiritual direction to explore and grow in relationship with God and how God is acting in their life and leading them. It can take place during times of deep spiritual connection or times of doubt.

Who are spiritual directors? 
Spiritual directors are trained professionals who accompany seekers as they seek to grow spiritually. Such directors are trained in spiritual practices and help others to enter prayerful presence. A spiritual director may be a trained professed religious or a trained lay person. Directors receive spiritual direction themselves and receive regular supervision by a trained supervisor. St. Thomas More and Newman’s Spiritual Directors vet and approve directors who participate in the ministry. Directors follow the SDI (Spiritual Directors International) Code of Ethics.

Who can receive spiritual direction? 
Adults 18 and older can receive spiritual direction. Persons in spiritual direction are from a variety of faith traditions and can be located anywhere in the world. 

What is the difference between spiritual direction, psychotherapy and pastoral counseling? 
Spirituality and psychology are similar in some ways, and yet are distinct. Spiritual direction primarily attends to how God is participating and communicating in a person's life and the person's response to God in a relationship that is spiritually healthy. Psychotherapy or psychological counseling address mental and emotional issues to help a person function and achieve well-being. A person can receive spiritual direction and be in psychotherapy, too. Pastoral counseling is guidance given to individuals, couples, families and groups that is given by a priest, deacon or parish pastoral associate on issues of faith, theology and religion.

Where does spiritual direction take place? 
Spiritual direction takes place in designated rooms at St Thomas More Church campuses, UNC Newman facilities, at various other area church meeting spaces and on Zoom.

What does spiritual direction cost? 
Directors request a donation or stipend for spiritual direction sessions. The local range is $45-$100 per hour. (Those who have difficulty paying within this range should talk with a director to see if support is available.)  Some directors use donations to support affiliated faith and spiritual direction institutions. Some directors use stipends to help cover directors’ expenses, continuing education, cost of supervision and use of professional space. 

How often does spiritual direction take place? 
Initially, spiritual direction can involve more frequent sessions (perhaps once a week or every other week). After that, spiritual direction sessions are typically once a month and last about one hour.

How do I find a spiritual director?
A directory of locally available spiritual directors can be found further down this page. You may contact the Spiritual Direction Ministry Coordinator, Pat Grebe, at [email protected]. 

Please write in the subject line if you have a general inquiry about spiritual direction, or if you are interested in a specific program; or if you wish to contact a specific spiritual director from the list below.

The Coordinator manages requests for spiritual direction and puts inquirers in touch with potential directors. Inquirers then have an initial conversation with one or more directors to discern the best director with whom to work.

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Spiritual Direction Ministry Calendar

Spiritual Directors

(click names for biographical information)

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• Creighton University
• Emmaus Center for Spirituality: Word on Fire program
• West Virginia Institute for Spirituality
• Introduction to the Spiritual Exercises - from Ignatianspirituality.com