What to Expect in Spiritual Direction?

Since I believe we are whole people, body, mind, soul, and spirit, as a Christian spiritual director, I not only aim to create a safe and confidential place to meet, but I also offer ways for the directee to engage with God tangibly through the use of music, art, or symbol, and always grounded and centered on God's Word.

I also want the directee to expect that I will be in prayerful preparation prior to each appointment. And yet, I believe in a collaborative and prayerful process, rather than being authoritarian. I want the directee to grow in their belief that they hear and discern the voice of God in their own lives. I desire for the directee to feel respected, heard, and cared for.

I will offer education on Christian spiritual practices and space for the directee to engage with such practices so that they might find a new holy rhythm that nurtures their every day lives. I will suggest resources for the directee's spiritual journey when they have interest. Above, all, I want directees to know and expect that our time together is a prayerful process for connection between one's true self and their God.

Code of Ethics

Confidentiality

Christian spiritual direction is 100% confidential within legal limitations. By law, the director must, in the rare event, report any expressions of intent to commit suicide, homicide, or abuse of others to the proper authorities. Otherwise, since all conversations are entirely confidential, it is for the purpose of creating a safe environment for authentic soul care for the directee. However, the directee has the freedom to share the experience with whomever they wish.

Notes

Notes are kept of each session and are saved confidentially. They do not include specific pronouns or names to protect the privacy of the directee. Notes are taken to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and to aid my memory as the director so that I may notice themes or patterns in the directee's spiritual life and with the movement of God.

Supervision

As a director, I seek two forms of supervision. One: I receive Christian spiritual direction from a mature mentors and/or fellow spiritual directors on a continual basis to tend to my own personal and professional spiritual growth and soul care. And two: I am part of a peer advisory group with other mature Christian spiritual directors for professional growth and for rare guidance on behalf of directees if the need arises, with anonymity of the directees maintained.

Spiritual Direction Contract

Confidentiality

The spiritual director is bound to keep all conversations confidential. This atmosphere of confidentiality aims to foster a climate of trust, which in turn, gives the directee the opportunity to be open and vulnerable, even in matters that are sensitive and difficult. If the directee is currently receiving counseling or therapy from another counselor or therapist, and chooses to engage in spiritual direction, both the counselor/therapist and spiritual director should be informed. This disclosure is for the benefit of all involved and all parties may grant inter-communication permissions so that a holistic and cooperative approach may be taken on behalf of the therapeutic client/directee. In this case, written permission must be granted by all parties. Rarely, the director may seek wisdom from another director or supervisor only for the sake of the directee’s care in mind, with anonymity of the directee maintained. The only other exception with regards to confidentiality is if the spiritual director must, by law, report any expressions of intent to commit suicide, homicide, or abuse of others to the proper authorities.

As spiritual director, I will provide:

- A quiet, safe, and prayerful place to meet - My attentive, listening presence. - A focus on learning to be with Jesus to become more like Him. - Resources for the journey. - Help in noticing and responding to God’s voice and presence in your life. - Support in calling out one’s true self and what they are created for. - Encouragement, affirmation, and challenge without advice giving or problem-solving. - My commitment to prayer with and for you.

As directee, my hope for you is:

- Your desire to pay attention to God in your life. - Your commitment to some form of prayer, including engaging in nourishing and life giving spiritual practices or holy rhythms, that can be determined during spiritual direction. - Your involvement in a Christian community.

After the initial six months, either the spiritual director or directee is free to extend or terminate this spiritual direction contract. Re-evaluation can continue every six months.

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