What is Spiritual Direction?
My goal is to provide a safe place for you to express and process your own spiritual journey.
Spiritual direction or spiritual companioning is an ancient practice observed by many faith traditions. The Christian mystic concept of spiritual direction comes to us from the desert mothers and fathers who fled the superficial version of Christianity that became common after Constantine declared it the religion of the Roman empire. Instead of settling for the status quo, they decided to seek quiet lives of simplicity in the wilderness.
Today, spiritual direction provides us with the stillness and space to process our spiritual journeys and to listen for God’s voice when the noise of what’s going on around us feels overwhelming.
What I offer…
So many options! In person or virtual, individuals or groups, guided sessions or resources for self-led reflection. There are so many ways to engage in contemplative practices!
I provide a range of resources including one-to-one spiritual direction sessions, retreat facilitation, and downloadable guides with curated practices for you to work through on your own that are available for purchase.
Let’s find what meets your needs in this stretch of your journey!
All are welcome here!
Doubts? Deconstruction? Church hurt? I’m familiar! I have been in a continual cycle of deconstructing and reconstructing my faith since before "deconstruction" was a commonplace term. Since experiencing and experimenting with many denominations and various flavors of Christianity, I've found my home in a Mennonite church after falling in love with Anabaptist theology.
While I approach spiritual direction from my own perspective and experience as a Christian, I welcome directees from a variety of spiritual backgrounds. I am also fully affirming and glad to sit with people of any gender and orientation.
Cross-cultural insight
In my twenties, I lived in Italy, working with a mission organization to serve locals and internationals. I'm familiar with major international transitions, culture shock and reverse culture shock, vicarious trauma, conflict and confrontation, compassion fatigue, burnout, depression, anxiety, and reentry.
These experiences have given me a lot of empathy for immigrants in the States and expats living abroad, working for a religious organization or not.
FAQs
Ready to get started? Still have questions? Send me a message or book a free intro session below!
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I believe we should all have as many external resources pouring into our lives as possible. Therapists, mentors, coaches, discerning peers and elders—the more wise input the better!
That being said, a spiritual director is different than those other resources. We do not prioritize problem solving. We don’t come with solutions or answers. In fact, we come with questions and we hold space for yours. We provide an environment where it is safe to be in process. We offer you the opportunity to wrestle with the unknowns, to meet with God on your spiritual journey, and to experience the Divine being present with you in the midst of it all.
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Since spiritual direction is considered a ministry rather than a licensed profession (like therapy), there is no official agency that regulates it or certifies spiritual directors.
However, many organizations and networks for spiritual directors offer their own certificates, credentials, and professional guidelines.
I hold a certificate in Spiritual Formation & The Art of Spiritual Direction from Healing Care Ministries. I’m trained as a Lay Pastoral Caregiver through Community of Hope International. I also belong to the Mennonite Spiritual Directors Network (members agree “to live in respectful dialogue with” the Shared Convictions from the Mennonite World Conference) and to Spiritual Directors International (members follow their Guidelines for Ethical Conduct).
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We may open with a short reading, Lectio Divina, resting in stillness, reflecting on a song, or other contemplative practice that centers us in God’s presence.
Depending on what you need, you may want to process a current or past experience or question with God. I will ask questions to help you reflect more deeply. We may ask for the Spirit’s response in the moment, reflect in silence, or engage in a guided meditation. The time is yours. What you need is the priority.
If you’re in the San Antonio area, I office out of my church in South Town and will gladly meet with you in person. Otherwise, we can meet virtually, and call details will be sent to you ahead of your session.
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Individual sessions are usually 55 minutes long. A 55-minute session is $75 (sliding scale available). Payment details will be discussed during your first session or in a free 30-minute info session.
The frequency of spiritual direction sessions is usually once a month to give you time to process between sessions, but scheduling can be altered to meet your needs.