Article
What happens in a spiritual direction session?
Spiritual direction is unfamiliar to many people, which makes it easy to imagine as more mysterious than it is.
The short answer
A session is usually an unhurried conversation about your life and where God seems present or absent in it. There is often silence, sometimes prayer, and no agenda to complete. The director listens rather than instructs.
What a session tends to include
- A slow start, often with a few minutes of quiet.
- You talking about what has been stirring in your life and prayer.
- Questions that help you notice rather than perform.
- Silence that is allowed to be useful.
- Sometimes prayer at the end, if you want it.
What it is not
It is not counseling, and it is not treatment for mental health symptoms. It is not advice, discipleship, accountability or Bible study, though it can touch all of those.
It is also not only for people with dramatic spiritual experiences. Most of it concerns ordinary life.
Who it fits
Women who want to pay attention to God in their actual life, who are discerning something, or who are longing for depth. If anxiety, depression, grief or eating concerns are affecting daily functioning, counseling is usually the better place to start.
Common questions
How often does it happen?
Often monthly rather than weekly, by arrangement.
Do I have to be advanced in my faith?
No. Ordinary and uncertain are the usual starting places.
Can I do counseling and spiritual direction?
At different times, yes. Lori will be clear about which relationship you are in.
Learn more about Christian counseling with Lori with Lori, or browse all articles on Christian counseling.
Written by Lori Rasmussen, LISW, a Licensed Independent Social Worker licensed in the State of Iowa and a Certified Spiritual Director. Lori counsels women and female students in Waterloo, Iowa and online across Iowa. Articles here are meant to help you understand what you may be experiencing; they are not a diagnosis and they do not take the place of care from a professional who knows your story.
Reaching out can be the first step.
You don't need to know exactly what to say, or have anything figured out, before you contact Lori.
Or email rasmussencounselingandsd@gmail.com