Spiritual Direction
At the center of spiritual direction is discernment. A seeker may be discerning where the Spirit moves in their life. A seeker may be discerning spiritual practices that connect them to the Holy. A seeker may be discerning the meaning of traumatic events. Regardless of what the individual is discerning, spiritual direction will ask the individual to actively listen to themselves and to that which is Greater so as to notice what lies just beyond their daily awareness.
Importantly, spiritual direction is not any of the following:
Therapy helps an individual with daily life. Spiritual direction's goal is to help the individual discern meaning in their life. It is true that therapy can help someone find meaning or that spiritual direction may help with daily life. Spiritual direction is looking to help people find meaning, purpose, and a deeper relationship with the Ground of Being.
Pastoral counseling helps people make sense of their faith's doctrine in light of difficult situations that arise in daily life. While spiritual direction may involve doctrinal conversations, the ultimate goal of spiritual direction is the path trod by the individual wherever it goes.
Financial counseling helps people make choices with their money and investments. Spiritual direction may involve matters that would entail money such as signing up for retreats or elements of self-care, spiritual direction does not speak to any investing.
Spiritual directors, like myself, are trained to notice when other needs arise during spiritual direction and will refer you to appropriate help when needed. But if you have questions about what you're seeking, just ask!