How is Spiritual Direction Different from Counseling?
Spiritual direction is not meant to be a replacement for other valuable helping services like counseling, coaching, or pastoral care. In fact, it can be a wonderful complement to these ministries. Whereas counseling typically focuses on specific problems and goals, spiritual direction has no agenda other than the hopes of deepening your relationship with God. For example, you would usually meet about once each month with your spiritual director. This helps reduce focus on the director and keep it on God. Spiritual direction conversations are thus focused on your relationship with God in the middle of whatever you are experiencing in life.
It is not uncommon to be involved in both spiritual direction and counseling. In our time together, if we come across material than needs to be addressed by a mental health professional, I will make an appropriate referral for you. You may have noticed that I am also a licensed professional counselor. Since counseling and spiritual direction are different in nature, it is important to discern which type of service you would like me to provide. I do not provide both direction and counseling to the same person. I’ll be happy to talk with you about the differences!
Spiritual Direction is not counseling, in the sense that it is not designed to specifically address mental health issues. In this way, it is similar to coaching but involves identifying specific spiritual strategies and spiritual goals. In our time together, if we come across material that needs to be handled by a mental health professional, I will make an appropriate referral for you.
Spiritual direction is not meant to be a replacement for other valuable helping services like counseling, coaching, or pastoral care. In fact, it can be a wonderful complement to these ministries. Whereas counseling typically focuses on specific problems and goals, spiritual direction has no agenda other than the hopes of deepening your relationship with God. For example, you would usually meet about once each month with your spiritual director. This helps reduce focus on the director and keep it on God. Spiritual direction conversations are thus focused on your relationship with God in the middle of whatever you are experiencing in life.
It is not uncommon to be involved in both spiritual direction and counseling. In our time together, if we come across material than needs to be addressed by a mental health professional, I will make an appropriate referral for you. You may have noticed that I am also a licensed professional counselor. Since counseling and spiritual direction are different in nature, it is important to discern which type of service you would like me to provide. I do not provide both direction and counseling to the same person. I’ll be happy to talk with you about the differences!
Spiritual Direction is not counseling, in the sense that it is not designed to specifically address mental health issues. In this way, it is similar to coaching but involves identifying specific spiritual strategies and spiritual goals. In our time together, if we come across material that needs to be handled by a mental health professional, I will make an appropriate referral for you.
South Side Location
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(o) 423.517.7070
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North Side Location
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