SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

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The art of Spiritual Direction falls under the umbrella of Spiritual Formation. Its purpose is to hold nonjudgmental space for honest conversations of the heart; drawing close to God in the midst of everyday stresses, messes & struggles.

WHO'S SPIRITUAL DIRECTION FOR?

Many arrive in Spiritual Direction feeling stretched, squeezed, overworked and mis-shapened by life while also struggling with a loud mind or a harsh inner critic that says "you're not enough." As a child, you may have also needed to suppress or surrender your needs, limitations, emotions and desires in exchange for safety or belonging.

Now, in your adult years, you wrestle with big emotions, tough questions, heavy hurts, & deep desires. You long to be open & honest with God, but part of you wonders if that's even allowed. You feel constrained, disconnected & distant. You need God's wisdom & direction about some areas in your life, but even more so, you long for God to come closer and meet you in the messy middle with compassion and care.

HOW SPIRITUAL DIRECTION HELPS:

Friend, here you'll find nonjudgmental space to show up as your whole self and put words to how you feel in your soul about life & faith. A spacious hour with a trained ear to help heal your inner critic and locate the voice of Love in different seasons of joy, sorrow, stress, grief, hope, hurt, wonder, doubt, love & loss.

Sessions are offered online as a way to explore your thoughts, emotions & experiences and with the intention of locating God's presence with you in them. Oftentimes, this means working to develop a healthy image of God, discern Love's voice apart from your inner critic and reintegrate your "unloveable" parts, thus cultivating a deeper sense of connection & belonging within yourself and with God.

WHAT'S A SESSION LIKE?

We'll begin with a spiritual grounding practice utilizing poetry or visual art as a way to quiet the mind, stir the heart and turn inward. From there, we'll enter into an honest conversation about your everyday life; looking for Love With You in it. Sessions are filled with curious questions, compassionate witnessing, pregnant pauses, and aha-moments as you begin to heal your inner critic, soften your image of God, embrace your enoughness and recognize the ways you are deeply seen, held and loved.

Spiritual Direction is offered online and is gently guided by Esmé; a certified Spiritual Director & trauma informed companion. I welcome the stressed, struggling, wounded & weary.

FREE HELLO SESSION

FAQs

what are your qualifications?

I'm a certified and Ignatian trained spiritual director with a Bachelor's degree in Art and a coaching certification in Therapeutic Arts.

I take a whole-person approach; offering direction through a trauma informed lens and with underpinnings in somatic (body) awareness and integrative parts work (IFS). Living with cPTSD also equips me with compassion for those carrying heavy burdens along their spiritual journey.

Are you a therapist? How is Spiritual Direction different from therapy or counseling?

I am well trained to listen with compassion and support your overall mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, but I am NOT a licensed therapist and sessions are non-clinical. Unlike therapy or counseling, I will not attempt to heal your past, solve your problems, fix your relationships, or change your behaviors. I also cannot diagnose or treat specific mental health conditions.

What does a Spiritual Director do?

I am gifted and trained to listen well and with compassion. As I hold your story, I may ask curious questions, offer keen observations, or encouragement. These are all intended to help you heal your inner critic, embrace your whole self & draw you closer to Love with you.

As a trauma informed director, I am also able to gently hold what feels hard, complicated or messy and help you remain grounded in the present moment as needed.

What are your rates?

Sessions are 1-2x per month and offered on a sliding scale to acknowledge wage gaps that exist among marginalized groups including LGBTQIA+, People of Color, neurodivergent folks, people with disabilities, & single parents. A limited number of scholarships are also available to those navigating a season of loss or upheaval.

Standard Rate: $180

Diversity Rate: $150

Scholarship Rate: $120

I really love doing the Visio Divina practice; meditating on paintings at the beginning of the sessions. I find this to be a helpful way to start and it always somehow manages to relate to something going on in my life at that time.

- Sarah (she/her)