Spiritual direction is a relationship where space is made for noticing God’s activity within ordinary, daily life. A Spiritual Director serves as a prayerful listener to both the directee and the Spirit, with an emphasis on reflecting back what is said and asking questions to invite further awareness (“directing” attention to the Spirit). This posture of listening and noticing draws participants into a deeper knowledge of self and the Divine.
Imagine being deeply heard… without being fixed, coached, or analyzed.
I didn’t know anything about Spiritual Direction until I started my Master’s program. Not a surprise: while spiritual direction has long been a well-established practice in Christian tradition, it is less common in evangelical and non-denominational spaces.
So, as part of the program, all students were provided a Spiritual Director for the stint of our two years of study and formation (foreshadowing that we were entering into truly some deep work). What a gift that was to me. By graduation I had developed a yearning for more. I felt a growing curiosity around pursuing the practice, a tug to explore becoming a Director myself. (Spoiler: I earned my certificate two years later).
“That is really the direction in spiritual direction, as I understand it. As gently as possible, I try to say, ‘It seems as though the light is coming from over there,’ and I point to it, hoping that I don’t point in such a way that I block the person’s view.”
– Susan Philips
The term “director” truly does not serve as a description. As a Director, I do not direct anything, except maybe space and silence for listening; in fact, the idea is to direct attention away from the myself and back toward God. For about an hour each month, we slow down and turn our gaze / heart / ears intently toward God / the Divine / Holy Spirit (the True Director of our time), right in the middle of daily life. A Spiritual Director listens to their “Directee” prayerfully, tuned in to both the person and the subtle movements of the Holy Spirit.
Rather than offering advice or solutions, a trained Director reflects back what is shared and asks questions that open up new awareness of activity, intentionality, invitation.
This posture of deep listening is marked by curiosity, compassion, and care, and helps both companions grow in their understanding of themselves as Loved, accepted, and seen.
My hope is that our time together creates space where you can be more real with yourself and be open to having God be more real to you.
Monica creates a loving, non-judgmental space where I can question, share my fears, and explore my root struggles. She helps me quiet my mind to connect with God in a way I sometimes can’t do on my own because my thoughts are moving too quickly. I am so thankful to have Monica guide me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where's a good place to find out more about SD?
Feel free to email me your questions, and we can start a conversation that way.
I also like to point potential directees to Emily P. Freeman’s podcast episode on Spiritual Direction for Beginners. I consider her to be a mentor, and this episode is an excellent primer.
If you like to read, here’s a few good places to check out:
○ Transforming Center (Ruth Haley Barton): A Vital Practice…
○ Interview with Eunhyey Lok: “What I understand spiritual direction to be is a space that’s created for people to pay attention more deeply to what’s happening in their souls and with God in their lives.”
○ Mary Kate Morse on what Spiritual Direction is (and isn’t).
BTW, I am trained in a more Ignatian approach. More on what that might mean here.
What's your fee structure?
I offer spiritual direction on a donation basis. There is no set fee, and directees are free to give (or not) according to their circumstances. For reference, many directors charge between $30–70 per session, with some supervisor-trained directors offering monthly rates around $100. Donations may be made via CashApp or Venmo.
Where do I start?
Begin by booking an exploratory session. This will help you discern if we’re a good fit, or if direction is what you’re looking for. You can also use the resources above to find a director who fits what you’re seeking.
So, this is like counseling?
Not really. I hope the two lists below help in seeing the distinctions…
Spiritual Direction IS...
✅ a contemplative space for listening and noticing God’s presence
✅ slow, prayerful conversation grounded in trust, safety, and reverence
✅ useful in times of discerning
✅ rooted in curiosity, not certainty
✅ a practice that can grow one’s awareness of self and God
Spiritual Direction is NOT... (and shouldn't replace)
❌ therapy, counseling, or life coaching
❌ a place for fixing, advising, or solving problems
❌ an information-hub for spiritual queries and investigation
❌ a space led by the Director’s agenda, assumptions, story-telling, or “diagnoses”
Online search engines to find a Spiritual Director:
* When looking for a Director, it’s wise to ask…
“Do you meet regularly with a Spiritual Director?” “Are you under supervision or peer support for your practice?” “Have you received formal training in spiritual direction? If so, through what program or tradition?” “What does ongoing formation look like for you?”