Ryan Bradley

Merced, CA, United States

I am a graduate of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and have been offering spiritual direction since 2004. I consider it...

About Me

I am a graduate of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and have been offering spiritual direction since 2004. I consider it a great privilege to help my directees discern the work of the Holy Spirit and their responses.

I am the assisting priest at Anglican Church of the Epiphany, in La Mirada, CA, where I love serving the Body of Christ through pastoral care, liturgy, and preaching.

I completed coursework and exams for a doctorate in Christian Spirituality. I love learning from the classics of Christian spirituality, and I've surprised again and again at how God has used them to shape my own life and ministry.

I am currently an Assistant Professor at the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University; and I have taught in the areas of spiritual theology & formation, ethics, and religious studies at several other universities. I also serve as a Council member of Grafted Life Ministries (the parent organization for ESDA).

Contact

Phone: 562-458-0936

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Sally Breedlove

Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Sometime in 1990 I noticed that God was up to something new in my life. Until then, my sense of following...

About Me

Sometime in 1990 I noticed that God was up to something new in my life. Until then, my sense of following Christ meant seeking to know a lot about him and trying to trust and obey him as best I could. But a longing for “more” kept surfacing. I longed for a deep wholeness, for an awareness of God’s presence, for joy, for a beauty that permeated life, for compassion for others and myself. But I had no idea how to get there. The saying ""when the pupil is ready the teacher arrives"" proved true in my own life. These deep longings in my own soul for spaciousness and rest in God's presence and the fierce gift of pain forced me to ask on a very personal level did I really trust the goodness and presence of the Triune God?

Mercifully, through the spiritual practices of lectio divina, listening prayer, silence, and being companioned by others, I learned, and am still learning a new way of living my life in God. My desire is to be an attentive and prayerful companion to others as they make their own journey towards God.

During that same time I began taking classes at Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia). Courses on the wisdom of the early church fathers, the history of Christian Spirituality, contemplative listening and the writings of Christian mystics continued to shape That deep desire to know God with my whole being.

The gift of friends along the way led to the formation of a ministry called JourneyMates, a spiritual companioning small group ministry that now has groups in five different cities. Through JourneyMates and through the speaking and writing I do, others began to ask me to companion them in their spiritual journey.

The ongoing training we do for JourneyMates leaders, the spiritual director I meet with, and my training through Selah (Leadership Transformations's Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction) have also contributed to my growth as I seek to befriend those who ask me to accompany them on their spiritual journey.

Contact

Phone: 919-604-3060

Website: http://www.sallybreedlove.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Reina Brekke

Saint Paul, MN, United States

My childhood was spent in a loving but atheist/agnostic home. When I came to faith in Christ in my early college...

About Me

My childhood was spent in a loving but atheist/agnostic home. When I came to faith in Christ in my early college years, I discovered a loving God who provided a moral compass for my life. During those busy years of school, early marriage, parenting, and career, I soaked up a good deal of knowledge and found multiple satisfying ways to serve God. This was enough for a long time.

My journey into spiritual direction began in my early 50’s and was generated from a sense of missing something in my faith, accompanied by a longing to experience a deeper connection with God. This path has opened my perspective concerning who God is to me, and who I am to Him. It has been a journey of discovering how to be with God, and not just what to do for Him. I have lingered, with intention, with the Ignatian exercises, experiencing transformation through imaginative prayer. I have embraced new spiritual practices and forms of prayer that were not part of my evangelical upbringing. The contemplative life with the Trinity has been a re-awakening and a deepening of the faith that God invited me to in my young adulthood.

Feeling called to minister in this sacred space of soul care, I completed my training in spiritual direction at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA. In the interest of growing further, I am currently enrolled and pursuing the Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation through Richmont.

I would be delighted to walk beside anyone who is willing to journey deeper into their understanding of God, but I have a passion towards walking along-side young adults. I am willing to companion with them during their busy season of life, listening and discerning with them as they explore who God is and how He reveals Himself to them. I have an openness to ponder the tough questions and listen for God’s voice amid all the competing voices of our culture and time.

Contact

Phone: 651.398.1805

Email:

Prefer Contact By: brekkereina@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Young adults

Anyone who desires to know God on a deeper level

Those with questions about whether God exists

Expertise in...

Ignatian Exercises

Lectio Divina

the Enneagram

contemplative prayer

creative writing and journaling

Owen Brock

Cincinnati, OH, United States

Trained through Sustainable Faith's School of Spiritual Direction in Cincinnati, Ohio, I have been offering direction since 2008. I am also...

About Me

Trained through Sustainable Faith's School of Spiritual Direction in Cincinnati, Ohio, I have been offering direction since 2008. I am also an instructor for the school, training others for the important work of caring for souls.

I became acquainted with spiritual direction many years ago out of a deep need to make sense of my own spiritual life. After years of attending to my inner life I began to notice that my spiritual life would go in cycles with a diminishing experience of intimacy with God. Even while continuing with familiar rhythms and practices, this pattern repeated itself for a number of years until eventually there was no sense of God at all. Nothing. As you can imagine, this was not a great topic to bring up at church.

I eventually found myself sitting across from a spiritual director. I told him about my “faith crisis”. He asked me to describe my spiritual life and practices, and after listening, he suggested that rather than looking at my current spiritual experience as a problem that needed to be solved, what if it was an invitation? That was when I first noticed the tears streaming down my face. He encouraged me that I was seeking authenticity and integrity—I was searching for the truth.

For years now, I have been offering for others what that kind soul offered to me that day. I have come to believe that our understanding of the spiritual life must evolve as we discover what faithfulness looks like for each new season of life.

I am a grateful husband, father and grandfather. Together with my wife Sandie, we been a part of the urban, community-oriented Vineyard Central church in Cincinnati for over two decades, serving as house church leaders, pastoral council members, and mentoring elders. For over forty-five years we have been a part of transformative community-oriented expressions of God’s kingdom, both domestically and internationally.

We love a great adventure spending time in the Pacific Northwest hiking and kayaking or traveling and serving internationally in such places such as Africa, Nepal, Ireland and Haiti.

Contact

Phone: 513.253.5683

Website: antiphio.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

all

Expertise in...

spiritual companionship

group direction

spiritual practices

seasons of faith

Sandra Brock

Cincinnati, OH USA , OH, United States

Trained as a spiritual director, through Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction, I enjoy helping others notice God's presence in their...

About Me

Trained as a spiritual director, through Sustainable Faith’s School of Spiritual Direction, I enjoy helping others notice God's presence in their everyday life. Caring for the “whole” person; body, soul and spirit has been a part of my work for many decades.

It is a privilege to companion others on the journey of knowing God and knowing themselves. Seeing people overcome the barriers to becoming their best and true selves is pure joy. Yet, often, our journey also exposes unresolved areas that need deep healing. I am not afraid to go with you to dark places trusting in God's love, healing and redemption. Personal transformation results in people experiencing freedom and being equipped to carry out their heart's longings!

My sessions may integrate healing prayer and body awareness as it is needed, addressing the full circle of Body, Soul & Spirit.

I am a grateful wife, mother and grandmother. Together with my husband Owen, we have been a part of the urban, community-oriented Vineyard Central church in Cincinnati, OH for over two decades, serving as house church leaders, pastoral council members, and mentoring elders. For over forty-five years we have been a part of transformative community-oriented expressions of God’s kingdom, both domestically and internationally.

We love a great adventure spending time in the Pacific Northwest hiking and kayaking or traveling and serving internationally. We love a good conversation, the outdoors, watching the birds, as well as music, beauty and all of the arts.

Contact

Phone: 513.253.5681

Website: http://antiphio.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Women

Men

Church & Ministry leaders

Young Adults

Second half of Life

Expertise in...

Spiritual companionship

Listening/healing prayer

Body awareness

Emotional Trauma

Abusive Trauma

Church Trauma

Victoria Brown

Peoria, IL, United States

Hello! My name is Victoria Brown and I am a spiritual director in Central Illinois. I graduated from the Spiritual Director...

About Me

Hello! My name is Victoria Brown and I am a spiritual director in Central Illinois. I graduated from the Spiritual Director Development Program coordinated by the Chiara Center of Springfield, IL in May of 2016. My training in this program helped me develop into an empathetic listener who is able to help others as they discern who God is to them, where they see Him currently working in their lives, and how they see the path unfolding before them as they move forward. As believers, I consider our image of God to be the most important aspect of our faith, and I feel privileged to walk alongside others as they seek to interact with the Holy Spirit. As a spiritual director I see my role as one of encouraging individuals to take the time to notice where God is present in their worlds, sincerely believing He is everywhere, by learning to truly pay attention. Engaging in spiritual direction, both as a director and a directee, has revitalized my faith; I am committed to assisting others as they deepen their understanding of how God longs to interact with them as well. In my personal life I was part of a launch team to plant Imago Dei Church in Peoria, IL in 2008 where I still attend with my husband and three school-age children. As a family we love to play games, hike and camp.

Contact

Phone: (309) 231-1830 (cell)

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or phone

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

people wounded by the church

Sarah Brown

La Mirada, CA, United States

One of my deepest joys is being able to sit with others as they unfold their story and discover how the...

About Me

One of my deepest joys is being able to sit with others as they unfold their story and discover how the Holy Spirit is working, especially in the places where that feels like the furthest truth. This is what I love about direction, to be able to witness how the Spirit moves in an individuals’ life to slowly reveal the deep truth that they are known, seen and loved.

I'm a tender heart desiring to cultivate holistic transformation for the Kingdom. I received an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot Seminary in 2016 and have been giving direction since 2015. I am a Staff Director and Supervisor at the Center for Spiritual Renewal and have experience doing individual and group direction. My background is in social work, foster care and I currently work in student development.

Contact

Phone: 509-554-9911

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email or phone call

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Women

Men

Leaders

College Age

Youth

Expertise in...

Trauma

adoption/foster care issues

integration with inner healing prayer and spiritual warfare

Ellen Burany

Tustin, CA, United States

I've been a practicing spiritual director since 2006 after being trained at Talbot School of Theology's Institute for Spiritual Formation, and...

About Me

I've been a practicing spiritual director since 2006 after being trained at Talbot School of Theology's Institute for Spiritual Formation, and I am passionate about helping leaders walk with a kind of intimacy with God that impacts and transforms every aspect and season of their lives and ministries.

I founded and currently direct Renew, a ministry that provides opportunities for care and spiritual formation for Christian leaders through Novo (www.renewleaders.org).

Contact

Phone: 714-743-2282

Website: www.renewleaders.org

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Christian Leaders -Pastors

ministry leaders

missionary leaders

missionaries

their spouses and young adult and adult children

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina

Women's Spirituality

Men's Spirituality

Grief

Transition

Rhythms of Life & Ministry

Dark Night

Cross Cultural

Carol Burge

Grand Rapids, MI, United States

I became interested in spiritual direction for myself as I worked as a psychotherapist. I needed to increase my own level...

About Me

I became interested in spiritual direction for myself as I worked as a psychotherapist. I needed to increase my own level of self-care and I found the experience to be significant in reshaping my life in a positive way. I trusted my spiritual director and she helped me discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in me. My relationship with Jesus Christ became much more alive; my daily living more saturated with His presence. I began to notice and respond to the inner voice of God in new ways as I engaged in several spiritual practices. I have experienced the Ignation Exercises several times and am available to lead an individual or small group if they are interested in this.

The process of spiritual direction is a journey into clarity about God, yourself, your relationships and your work in the world. Spiritual gifts and God given passions are explored, a healing rhythm of life is built, your heart is touched with the deep, unconditional love of God. This naturally leads to transformation, healing and new ways of being in the world. As a spiritual director, I listen to you while also listening to God who is the true spiritual director. I often provide times of silence in sessions so we can pause and listen to God together.

When I retired from my work as a psychotherapist, I wanted to offer the experience of spiritual direction to others. I completed the two year program of Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction in May of 2019. At the beginning of spiritual direction, I want the first session to be a time of exploration, a chance for you to see if we are a good fit as you respond to God's holy invitation to go deeper in your faith. Therefore, I do not charge for the first session.

Contact

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

church leaders

psychotherapists

female seminary students

women of all ages who desire to deepen their faith walk

Expertise in...

Myers Briggs

Enneagram

Temperament and Spirituality

Centering Prayer

Ignatian

Lectio Divina

grief/trauma

Ben Burkholder

Wexford, PA, United States

At present, I am a doctoral student, studying systematic theology, but in my free time I love spending time outdoors. For...

About Me

At present, I am a doctoral student, studying systematic theology, but in my free time I love spending time outdoors. For as theoretical as systematic theology can become, my ultimate longing is to see individuals living the fullness of the Christian life and realize the depth of God’s love for them. I am happily married and my wife and I have a delightful daughter who is a constant source of enjoyment for us. As a spiritual director, I was trained at the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University and served as a Staff Director at Biola University for a year after my training before moving to Pittsburgh.

Contact

Phone: 724-759-7794 (home)

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Roberta Bush Chiang

Arlington - Ft. Worth, TX, United States

I am a Canadian expat currently living in Texas, after living and raising a family in Hong Kong for 25 years...

About Me

I am a Canadian expat currently living in Texas, after living and raising a family in Hong Kong for 25 years. The experience of living cross-culturally and then re-entering another culture as a third time immigrant, brings a different perspective to my direction practice. Transitions-of all kinds-is an area I am most personally knowledgeable in, particularly in the area of changing countries and roles.
I most frequently sit with people in leadership and Christian ministry, as well as third culture adults.
I am a mother to 3 millenials, and nana to a beautiful grand-daughter who currently resides in Hong Kong and S. Korea.
Very experienced at accompanying someone in the direction process via skype or facetime, but am willing to meet in person at your place of preferred spiritual direction. Willing to conduct a first time consultation by phone, but will require a visual in the direction process, initially.
Trained in Ignatian spirituality and discernment, over a 4 year course with a Jesuit University-Fairfield U., Connecticut,- and am currently journeying through the 19th annotation of the Ignatian Exercises.
My background is a Protestant one, very comfortable with all faith backgrounds, including those in a faith-exploration process, and very comfortable working in a cross-cultural setting.
I most frequently 'sum up' the spiritual direction process by describing it as 'mid-wifery for the soul.'

Contact

Phone: 682-313-7700

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email or phone.

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

-church leaders

missionaries

business professionals

third culture kid-adults

but not limited to those.-

Expertise in...

Ignatian/discernment

lectio divina

grief

creativity

cross-cultural/third culture

immigrant/refugee

anyone in a recovery process.

Grace Cabalka

Bakersfield, and Central Coast of California, CA, United States

I have been involved in church ministry for almost 30 years. I've written and taught Bible Studies, led retreats, spoken at...

About Me

I have been involved in church ministry for almost 30 years. I've written and taught Bible Studies, led retreats, spoken at conferences, and served overseas. I have seen ministry leaders and friends struggle as a result of not understanding how to care for their own souls, and I, myself, nearly walked away from the church due to burnout. Gratefully, the Lord gave me exactly what I needed through caring ‘holy listeners’ who helped guide me.

After receiving such life-giving ministry, I knew I wanted to do the same for others. I have received certification through The Leadership Institute in spiritual formation and soul care, along with training and supervision from their spiritual direction staff. There are meaningful ways to grow in intimacy with God as His beloved child through deep listening and responding, leading to healing and wholeness. Spiritual direction helps bring light to those pathways. I am honored to be a part of this process.

I’ve been married for 39 years and have 4 adult children and seven delightful grandkids. Along with ministry experience, I have walked through dark seasons in marriage and challenges of adult children and adoption. I have seen how Spiritual direction and formation have been life-giving, especially during challenging chapters. I am willing to meet through Skype, or face to face in Kern County and San Luis Obispo County.
I've also become a certified enneagram coach under the teaching of Beth McCord (yourenneagramcoach) and if desired, use this tool in direction.

Contact

Phone: (661) 619-4583

Email:

Prefer Contact By: grace.cabalka@gmail.com

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Specialties

Works with...

pastors

church leaders

missionaries

college students

women in ministry

adoption

grief

transition

Expertise in...

Lectio Divina (and other disciplines)

women's spirituality

rule of life

dark night

enneagram

Shaleen Camery-Hoggatt

Freeland, WA, United States

Through my own experience of meeting with a Spiritual Director, God brought about a healing transformation that radically changed my life...

About Me

Through my own experience of meeting with a Spiritual Director, God brought about a healing transformation that radically changed my life and relationships, ending a decades-long battle with depression; so I know firsthand how the power of God can be experienced through a spiritual direction relationship. Despite being a lifelong Christian and church leader, the truth of being God’s Beloved only became a felt-experience in that context. I am grateful the Spirit continues to guide my journey of growth in becoming the person I was created to be, and gives me the privilege of witnessing and participating in this process in the lives of others as well.

I am also a grateful cancer survivor, having experienced a successful bone marrow transplant that resulted in remission from Multiple Myeloma, a plasma cancer. This has given me an ongoing and personal understanding of the spiritual journey in the midst of pain, limitations, illness, loss, medical treatments and side effects. Whether or not these or depression are challenges for you, I would love to "listen together" to hear what the Spirit is speaking into your life and through your life and to see the ways God is at work around and through you to bring about redemption, healing, wholeness, and vitality. Since moving to Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, most of my spiritual direction ministry is via video chat, so even if you are not in the Pacific Northwest, feel free to contact me to explore the possibilities.

My preparation includes completion of a three-year certification program in Spiritual Direction through Stillpoint Center for Christian Spirituality, participating in the 10-month Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (19th Annotation) through Sisters of St. Joseph in Orange, CA, and earning my BA and MA at Christian universities. My graduate studies included faith development transition and spiritual formation as major components.

I was raised in a pastor's home and have been married to the love of my life--a New Testament scholar/professor and ordained minister--for 42 joyous years. Together we have raised and delight in three adult children, as well as welcoming their fabulous spouses and two grandloves. I have worked in university residential life on both coasts, as well as serving as an elementary school teacher for 17 years; parenting, grand-parenting, and developmental transitions are areas of experience, study, and interest.

It is a blessing, calling, and privilege for me to serve as a Spiritual Director…
*meeting with individual students, academicians, seminarians, members of pastors' families, psychologists, ministers, artists and others seeking to be intentional about personal and spiritual growth.
*guiding small groups of directees, sacred companions, and spiritual directors,
*supervising interns in Spiritual Direction training programs,
*planning, facilitating, and speaking at retreats,
*teaching spiritual formation classes, workshops, and seminars.

Contact

Phone: 949-858-0613

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Students

academicians

seminarians

pastors' families

persons in ordination process

pastors

persons who are terminally and/or chronically ill or dealing with chronic pain

faith transitions

anyone seeking to grow

Expertise in...

Ignatian exercises

spiritual disciplines and practices

faith development

Myers-Briggs

depression

mind-heart dissonance

John Carlini

Highwood, IL, United States

I have a heart to walk with Christians as they are formed by God and a heart for multi-ethnic and multi-cultural...

About Me

I have a heart to walk with Christians as they are formed by God and a heart for multi-ethnic and multi-cultural ministry. I have served as a Military Chaplain, Youth Pastor, and am now retired after serving as the Senior Pastor of Devon Church, Chicago, IL for 25 years.

I hold an MA in Continental Philosophy (emphasis in Existentialism and Phenomenology) from DePaul University, an M.Div emphasis in Old Testament studies) and a D.Min (emphasis in Pastoral Counseling) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I am ordained with the Evangelical Covenant Church and completed my Spiritual Direction training at the Institute for Spiritual Direction at North Park University Seminary.

I am also certified in Enneagram Training and am accredited with the International Enneagram Association.

I have authored the book "Maximizing Your Enneagram Type."

Contact

Phone: 773-381-0074

Website: centerofgrowth.com

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Pastors

lay people

church leaders

military

students

and group spiritual direction

Expertise in...

Enneagram

Iganatian Exercises

Spiritual Formation

Julie Carlsen

Chicago, IL, United States

I want to host a holy space where you, God and I sit together, listening to where you and God are...

About Me

I want to host a holy space where you, God and I sit together, listening to where you and God are interacting, then support that movement. What we are seeking together in Spiritual Direction is a direct experience between you and God. Although my presence, questions, silence, and input are important, the most vital part of direction is you hearing from and experiencing God directly.

My style as a director is focused on grace and gentleness. I've had one of my directees describe her time with me as "guided meditation," and another as a place to process - but my style adjusts to each person I sit with. Jesus’s words from Matthew 11 fit what I’ve experienced in Spiritual Direction:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (msg)

I attend a Mennonite Church in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, where a majority of our members are foreign-born. I have been a part of an eclectic array of denominations and I value the strength and charism each brings to the body of Christ. I worked with refugees in the US for more than 13 years and I love cross cultural relationships. I studied Spiritual Direction at North Park Seminary’s Center for Spiritual Direction and have been offering Spiritual Direction since 2011. I am open to new direectees.

My husband and I have been married since 2008 and we have a son.

Contact

Phone: 847-868-5792

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

male

female

pastors

cross-cultural relationships

young adults

university students

seminary students

missionaries

singles

divorced

married

Spiritual Directors

Expertise in...

Enneagram

body-spirit connection

focusing prayer

cross-cultural

Myers-Briggs

dark night

grief work

infertility

loss

creativity

Lectio Divina

Ignatian Prayer

music

art

spiritual disciplines

doubt

Robie Carnes

Portage, MI, United States

I was introduced to the contemplative life through a pastor in my 20’s, through various readings as I grew older, and...

About Me

I was introduced to the contemplative life through a pastor in my 20’s, through various readings as I grew older, and then in my 50’s, through an inner-healing group. That group ushered me into a more intentional way of keeping company with Jesus, involving practices that lead me deeper into his presence. As I began to feel the call into the ministry of soul care, I pursued a Certificate in Formational Prayer (a meditative model of inner-healing prayer) through Ashland Theological Seminary and established a ministry called “Compassionate Counsel and Care”. Later, I added an Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Formation and the Art of Spiritual Direction from HCM International.

I offer a form of contemplative care that speaks to the deeper desires of the heart – the longings for love, security, understanding, purpose, significance and belonging. The care model that I use is informed by Ignatian Spirituality, is rooted in the work and teachings of Jesus and is founded upon His example of the wounded healer. The model integrates Formational Prayer and Transformational Spiritual Direction.

Let me define these terms: Formational Prayer is a means of inner healing that positions people to meet Jesus in the memories of traumatic experiences. It is a Christ-centered, Spirit directed process of prayer that seeks to bring the presence of Jesus into the place of deep emotional wounds.

Transformational Spiritual Direction is means of helping individuals to be attentive to the movement of God in the everyday moments of life. It involves mutual listening to the Holy Spirit, resting in His presence, contemplative conversation, and the modelling of time-honored spiritual practices that move one on in the spiritual journey. “Transformation happens as you keep company with Jesus” (Adele Calhoun).

I compassionately open my door for individual sessions. In addition, I offer classical group direction and Healing Care Groups. The two types of groups differ in that classical group direction focuses on noticing the Lord’s activity and responding to His invitation to intimacy. In contrast, the Healing Care Groups meet for the purposes of healing from deep wounds, false beliefs, damaged emotions, and dysfunctional behaviors. I have found that the language of spirituality transcends all of the religions and denominations. It is the language of the heart.

Contact

Phone: (269)760-1107 (cell)

Website: www.compassionatecounselandcare.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

women

pastors and church leaders

couples

the disabled

the elderly

the marginalized

Expertise in...

women's spirituality

wounding and trauma

sexuality

creativity

art

imaginative spiritual practices

recovery

Karen Cartmell

Bakersfield, CA, United States

I graduated with an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot Seminary. I have...

About Me

I graduated with an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot Seminary. I have learned so much, and I love meeting with those who are learning to live into the fullness of the abundant life in Christ. I have three children and a wonderful husband of 37 years. My husband and I have been volunteer staff with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) for 30 years. I give spiritual direction in Bakersfield, California, at Biola University/Talbot Seminary in the LA area, and to Christian workers in other countries by Skype. I feel blessed to use my gifts and training as a spiritual director. The Lord be with you as you seek His presence.

Contact

Phone: 661-978-2799

Email:

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

Missionaries

Intercultural

Pastors and Pastor Family Members

Students

Professors

Expertise in...

Women's Spirituality

Ignatian

Missionary Stress

Lectio Divina

Intercultural

Retreat

Rule/Rhythm of Life

Family Issues

Third Culture

Grief

Beth Case

Houston, TX, United States

My practice of spiritual direction is founded upon God's promise to be Emmanuel - present with His people. I count on...

About Me

My practice of spiritual direction is founded upon God's promise to be Emmanuel - present with His people. I count on this promise in times of joy and of sorrow, of health and of hurt, of stability and of change.
In spiritual direction, I will companion you, and bear witness to God-at-work in the dailiness of life. We will together attend to God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And since I consider Scripture to be the very Word of God, I frequently utilize it in direction practice.
I have over a decade of ministry experience in the church. I am currently serving full-time in a church as an ordained minister.

Contact

Phone: 713.430.6994

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

anyone eager to be attentive to God-at-work in their lives

seminary students

vocational ministers

lay ministers

ill and aging

Myesha Chaney

Long Beach, CA, United States

For over a decade I have given my life to helping women feel seen, heard, and known. It has been an...

About Me

For over a decade I have given my life to helping women feel seen, heard, and known. It has been an honor to journey with people through some of their darkest moments.

I am a trained Spiritual Director with an MA in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care and an MA in Christian Leadership and Ministry from Talbot Theological Seminary.

I currently practice individual and group spiritual direction in the Long Beach and Orange County area and enjoy being with others as a Staff Director at Talbot Seminary.

My heart and passion is to help people grow in God, come out of hiding, and to live with meaning and purpose. I have served in many capacities in the local church and beyond. I have been a pastor’s wife for over fourteen years, in full time ministry for several years, and have invested so much of my strength into the betterment of God’s people.

I love offering spiritual companionship and a safe space for those who need a refuge. I have led many retreats, camps, spoken at church services nationally and internationally, mentored young girls, and have empowered women from all walks of life to discover the beauty of their true selves. My sweet spot in ministry and direction has been with those who have traumatic experiences, deep insecurities, guilt or shame, and those living in darker days.

My practice includes individual and group direction, teaching Spiritual Formation, training pastoral care teams, developing retreats, and hosting authentic communities and safe spaces.

My husband Wayne and I have been married since 2004 and we have three children ages 6, 11, and 12 years old.

Contact

Phone: 562.591.8778

Website: myeshachaney.com

Email:

Prefer Contact By: Email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: YES

Group Direction: YES

Retreat Leading: YES

Languages Spoken

English

Christina Chang

Yorba Linda, CA, United States

My passion as a spiritual director is to accompany others on their journey with Christ through prayerful listening and discernment. I...

About Me

My passion as a spiritual director is to accompany others on their journey with Christ through prayerful listening and discernment. I have been providing spiritual direction for 15 years. I graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a M.A. in cross cultural studies, and completed my training in Spiritual Direction at the Institute of Retreat/Spiritual Direction at the Archdiocese of L.A. Spirituality Center.

Having been in full time ministry for 7 years, I understand some of the unique spiritual dynamics in a Asian American church culture.

My husband and I have been married for 33 years and we have 3 adult children, one of them with special needs.

Contact

Phone: (562) 402-3040 home, (714) 746-6923 cell

Email:

Prefer Contact By: email

Available For

In-person Direction: YES

Tele-Direction: NO

Group Direction: NO

Retreat Leading: NO

Languages Spoken

English

Specialties

Works with...

church leaders

married couples

at-home moms

professionals

medical professionals

special needs- Autism.

Expertise in...

Asian americans

cross-cultural

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