Supervision: For those practicing the ministry of spiritual direction 

As a supervisor, I am available to spiritual directors for one-on-one meetings to reflect on their practice, discern ways to be more fully present in their direction sessions, and ponder questions that arise for them in their work.

Supervision provides a haven for those practicing the ministry of spiritual direction to deepen their practice of listening to the other and to the Spirit; to reflect on personal gifts and growing edges; and to care for their own soul.  Supervision also provides a safe, confidential setting to address questions and concerns, explore issues, and reflect on challenging encounters that may arise in spiritual direction sessions.

Supervision may include: a focus on additional skills a director wants to acquire; consultation about other ways to approach a situation in with a directee; constructive feedback as a means of growth; and affirmation of what a director is doing well.  All supervision sessions are centered on the director’s self-reflection.

For new spiritual directors, supervision can be a helpful setting for continued learning, for exploration of issues that arise in direction sessions, and for self-reflection and spiritual growth.  For more experienced directors, supervision often leads to the kind of spiritual insights directors experience with their own spiritual directors.  In these situations, the difference between supervision and spiritual direction is the outcome:  Supervision is intended to deepen one’s practice of spiritual direction.

Spiritual directors with one or two directees may find that supervision every eight to ten weeks is adequate.  Those with more directees my find a session every four to six weeks more helpful. 

Directors prepare for supervision by outlining an incident from a spiritual direction session that is shared with the supervisor in advance.  These outlines may take a number of forms but each one includes a significant focus on self-reflection.  Most people pay $50 for a supervision session, but ability to pay is not a barrier.  If that amount does not fit in your budget, you may offer an amount that is appropriate for you.