Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice within the Christian church. Sometimes known Spiritual Counsel, Prayer Guidance or Soul Friendship, a spiritual director makes time to accompany you along your spiritual journey as you search for God. Many people find this pattern of reflective companionship to be a significant help.

Depending on what you find most comfortable, our sessions may begin with prayer, a short silence, or with a simple question such as, 'How has it been going since the last time we met?' We spend some time in general conversation as we transition into discussing your connection with God since our last meeting.

My aim is to encourage you as I accompany you on your journey. I won't rebuke you or tell you what you must do, but I may – if I sense God's prompting – tentatively offer suggestions about spiritual practices or experiences that you may want to explore in the coming month.

This is a ‘sacred space’ into which you can bring anything, but you also don't need to bring anything! There are no expectations, and no judgement. It is a listening and accepting space.

Sometimes you might have a sense of something happening in your life and need to make sense of it in a spiritual context: ‘Where is God in this for me?’

Sometimes you might have a particular issue you want to work through. Other times what you value is the continued reassurance of having someone walk alongside you on your faith journey.

Sometimes it is as simple as: ‘How can I pray?'

Sometimes an individual has a sense of God inviting them to ‘something more’ and wants help to work out what that is really all about.

So, in answer to the question of what you can bring to spiritual direction, ‘Anything that impacts on your relationship with God.’

I trained as a Spiritual Director with Sarum College in Salisbury (UK) between March 2023 and May 2024. Spiritual directors have received special training in the art of listening. SDs learn to listen well to other people, but also posses a deep understanding of the many of the ways in which God has communicated with people (and people with God) throughout history.

Like all Spiritual Directors, I am a person of prayer who makes the commitment to accept you as you are and where you are. My role is to support the discernment of God’s activity in your life.

I operate according to the Guidelines in Ethical Conduct of the UK Forum for Spiritual Direction. You can read these here.

I carry professional indemnity insurance.

As a qualified teacher, former pastor, sports coach and youth worker, I am well experienced in creating safe spaces for those with whom I work. I am also a professional trainer, with a particular interest in safeguarding and mental health. You can therefore rest assured that everything we discuss is confidential. Your anonymity is guaranteed. There is a caveat: if I believe that you or somebody you identify is at risk of harm, I have a duty of care to share my concerns with other professionals. We would discuss this further should that arise.

As part of my own personal and professional development, I have my own spiritual director. Separately, I also meet with other(s) several times each year for professional supervision. 

Typically, we would meet every four to six week for an hour each time. We would arrange a mutually convenient time and place to meet, either in person or online via Zoom, FaceTime, Teams or WhatsApp video.

There is a cost to spiritual direction. As well as my time, my own spiritual direction, supervision and ongoing professional development, and insurance all incur costs. Spiritual direction is an investment for us both.

The first session is always FREE. After that, you are under no obligation to continue if you do not feel it is the right thing for you. If you do decide to continue, subsequent sessions cost £45 per one hour session, payable via bank transfer on the day of the session. 

I do not want cost to prohibit you from accessing spiritual direction. I am sometimes able to offer a reduced rate for those who would benefit from spiritual direction but would struggle with the payment. I will discuss how spiritual direction can be affordable for you at our first discussion.