Frequently Asked Questions

I have started with a two-part question because they often go together. While they share much in structure and process, they have different purposes and are conducted by providers with distinct scope of practice. I have gone to some length because the difference is significant and important.

Someone watching the two types of sessions without hearing it would not be able to tell you how they differ. They would simply see two people sitting facing each other in a room and talking. They are having a conversation. In both cases these conversations differ from a social conversation in several ways. The important difference is in both cases there has been a contract for one person to be the center of the conversation with the other helping that person explore something important to them.

The focus of each kind of conversation makes the difference.

In counseling, the focus and intent is to help someone heal from a psychological problem such as anxiety, depression, or to resolve a life transition problem such as grief or career decisions, or overcome old patterns that are interfering with personal growth and relationships.

In spiritual guidance, the focus and intent is to help someone deepen into their personal spiritual life, to live their life in harmony with their beliefs, to explore and identify their beliefs, to value that deeper part of themselves.

Spiritual guidance sessions may take the form of working toward living a more centered life, incorporating deeper "soul" or "higher self." The terminology will vary based on the individual's life history and spiritual experiences. For example, a religious client will usually use the language and terminology of their religion: god, Jesus, Buddha [though Buddhism is not a religion per se], prayer, etc. A non-religious client may speak of Source, spirit, Earth Mother, love, transcendence and may or may not refuse to use religious terms.

The processes may look similar in that common types of interventions and exercises might be incorporated into the conversation: opening up to inner experience while talking, encouragement to express emotions as they arise, exploring relationship concerns, decision-making and so forth. And the same kinds of exercises might be utilized within and outside the session hour. Journaling, listening to or making music, meditation, movement, imagery, reading and so forth.

A good example to show the difference is meditation. In counseling, the intent is usually to slow down, to quell anxiety, to be more in touch with self and begin to be more self-observant to help with personal growth while in spiritual guidance the intent usually has a spiritual intent as in deepening relationship with spiritual self or some higher power defined by the client. Same activity with different intents makes them different activities in an important way.

And the training of the counselor, therapist or guide determine the scope of their practice. Counselors and therapists are generally not trained in spiritual guidance and when spiritual issues arise are bound by ethical guidelines to refer the client to appropriate professionals. Spiritual guides and directors are trained to refer clients when issues arise that are outside the scope of their training and practice.

To conclude and I will address this in another question here as well, it is always advisable for a client to have both a therapist and a spiritual guide as the process of one will often raise issues that need the attention of the other.

I work with adults of all ages.

I work with all gender identities.

I work with religious and nonreligious.

Generally people seek individual spiritual guidance.

I like and value group work and offer a few ways for clients to experience the power of group work.

[See the question regarding types of group services for more information.]

I would be happy to work with couples who seek out relationship process related to their spiritual lives.

This will be determined by mutual consideration with the guide and client as with all parameters of the relationship.

The optimal frequency in general is every two weeks as this allows for time to process a session while maintaining a rhythm that keeps momentum going.

Others may find monthly better for various reasons.

This is usually established by mutual consent in the first session and may vary over the time of the spiritual guidance process.

This depends entirely on the client's needs and intent.

Some come to overcome a specific block or to develop a personalized routine and do not continue once they have reached their goal.

Others find the process so meaningful that they will continue for as long as that is true, perhaps varying the frequency of sessions.

Some people stay with the same guide throughout the years and others find it helpful to work with new guides at various times.

Spiritual practice always involves deepening and there is always a deeper place, so there is not an "end time" so to speak.

Once again, this is usually determined by mutual decision. It would be rare for a guide to make a client feel obligated to continue beyond a point that feels the process is helping.

Professional guides follow ethical guidelines that require making decisions that are in the best interest of and value the agency of their clients.

Democratizing mysticism

It is important to point out that while I may speak of clients with specific issues, these clients also share issues or concerns common to us all. They are not narrowly defined.

It is also important to point out that some may identify with more than one of these specialty areas.  A gay male may have a grief history and have had a religious trauma for example.

That said, here are a few topics or identities I have specific training and experience, interest or passion to work with:

LGBTQ+

Creative people: artists, writers, performers, thinkers, etc.

ADHD clients often feel self-blame at not being able to adhere to spiritual routine

Grief

Aging

Nonreligious, non-churched, or atheists

Democratizing mysticism

Yes, while research shows that plain old talking [The POT method it has been called] leads to the kinds of changes we hope for and probably makes up a large percentage of my work with clients, I also bring some specific tools to the process. I write about some of these in my blogs if you want more information.

I have used this as a psychologist for over 30 years and have trained other professionals in its use.

Clients who resonate to Dialogic Imagery find it offers a pathway to deep work that can be transformative. They often become able to practice it on their own in meditative states, journaling, other creative processes, and become able to recognize spontaneous instances of them as image arise in daily life. Much like dreams but can be evoked intentionally in a half waking state.

Similar to Dialogic Imagery but limited by the spontaneous nature of it and the fleeting disappearance as we awaken.

In both of these methods I draw from psychosynthesis, a transpersonal psychology developed by Roberto Assagioli , and my study of Carl Jung and my spiritual direction training at Haden Institute, a Jungian based spiritual direction program of study.

I have studied mysticism over the years from many perspectives and focused on it in my training at Haden Institute. I refer you to my blogs on mysticism for a deeper dive.

Briefly, in focusing on mysticism in spiritual guidance practice, I hold the idea that we are all mystics and that mysticism can be practiced by all of those who choose it.

" Nothing is more practical for realizing our desire

for a better world than mysticism."

--Beatrice Bruteau

And I incorporate the work of Evelyn Underhill, William James, Dorothea Soelle, Beatrice Bruteau and Simon Critchley in helping clients map their own personal mysticism into their spiritual practice. As well as, of course, the mystics of many faiths and nonfaiths who have left their writings of their experiences as a gift for us all.

These methods give structure to the spiritual exploration.

They provide safe "containers" when opening to the unconscious and the spiritual exploration process basically is an exploration of our unconscious thoughts, ideas, feelings, impulses, sensations, and intuitions.

In our time and place, the body has lost its power. Our focus on it is mainly to tame it. To feed it and take it for a walk once a day. The body has become a pet.

Bringing the body in all its power and beauty back into our spiritual lives is so important.

Bringing dance, yoga, stretching, contemplative walking or swimming opens doors and pathways

Making daily activities forms of contemplation enrich our lives as well

Doing the dishes, folding clothes, drawing, painting, writing, dance movements, celebrating and cherishing our bodies beyond its daily care

Individual sessions are $110. A reduced rate of $100 is available for current Haden Institute trainees. Group and training session pricing is being finalized. Full details are on the Spiritual Guidance page.