Talk with a
Spiritual Director.
When you are busy with your ministry, family, or work it can be hard to fit in caring for your soul.
This can lead to stress overload, discouragement, relational conflict, or hitting a wall.
The Sr. Spiritual Directors with Soul Shepherding have gotten through the wall and into the spaciousness of flourishing with Jesus. They offer you a safe place to be heard, prayed for and encouraged. They can help you learn to live and lead from intimacy with Jesus, emotional health, and loving relationships.
They are pastors, missionaries, ministry spouses, and coaches who have been trained for two years by Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere in their Soul Shepherding Institute and have earned a certificate in their model of spiritual direction that is Jesus-centered and informed by psychology.
It's easy to get started.
Simply pick a Sr. Spiritual Director from the directory below and then schedule an appointment on Zoom by clicking “Book Appointment.” (In some cases you can set up an in person meeting.)
You will feel understood, strengthened, and guided in your prayers and decisions. Plus you’ll receive soul care resources that are tailored to meet your needs so you can learn how to go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving leadership.
If you have additional questions about the spiritual direction services that Soul Shepherding offers see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at the bottom of this page. Or you can connect with an intake specialist for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your spiritual director offers you the gift of holy listening—reflecting Jesus’ love and empathy for others to help you experience God and follow the Spirit’s leading in your daily life, relationships, work, and prayers.
In fact, the real director of your spiritual direction process is not the person hosting the conversation, it’s the Holy Spirit. The human director simply serves as an ambassador to the Spirit of Christ by ministering God’s continual friendship to you (2 Cor. 5:20).
The format of spiritual direction sessions is not a fixed program–it’s fluid and customized to meet your individual needs. The goal of each meeting is to foster a healthy and supportive setting for you to explore and discover greater intimacy with Jesus and love for God and others.
Here are some general guidelines for a “typical” session in spiritual direction.
Sessions are conducted at a time that’s convenient for you through video conferencing (Zoom), using our convenient online scheduling system.
It is remarkable to experience how the Spirit of Jesus draws the director and client together over diverse geographic areas and time zones–truly God knows no bounds!
Spiritual direction sessions may open with conversation, prayer, or a brief time of being quiet in God’s presence, depending on your comfort and desires. It is helpful for you and your director to take a moment to “set apart” your time together from the busyness of your day.
For the majority of the session, you can share important life experiences related to your concerns and relationship with God. Your spiritual director will listen to you with empathy and ask clarifying questions to guide your thinking, prayers, and steps. You will learn to discern God’s presence and leading by exploring those areas of your life that give you joy and those that may bother or trouble you.
Before the end of the session, your director may recommend resources or spiritual discipline practices for you to consider exploring. Often your spiritual director will conclude the session by praying intercession or blessing over you.
The foundational spiritual direction question for the director to ask is, “How have you been experiencing God’s presence?” (The Practice of Spiritual Direction by William A. Barry and William J. Connolly).
But Dallas Willard suggested that a great spiritual direction question is simply, “What is bothering you?” That guards against the conversation being “spiritual” in an idealistic or intellectual way and promotes it being real and authentic to the client’s actual life. Paul wrote, “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” (Rom 12:15). That’s wording for the empathy that invites the real talk that is the heart of a great spiritual direction relationship.
Sr. Spiritual Directors
Soul Shepherding has a team of experienced Sr. Spiritual Directors who are available to give you the empathy, guidance, and prayer you need. They’ve been trained in our model of spiritual direction that’s Christ-centered and psychologically informed.
If you sense the need to be heard, known, and loved by a spiritual companion who will reflect the workings of the Spirit of Jesus in your life, take the first step by connecting with a spiritual director.
New to Spiritual Direction? Not sure who you will connect well with? You can talk to our program coordinator to learn more and find a director that’s especially suited for you. Click the button below to book your free 15 minute consultation!
Dave Rimoldi
Developing LeadersLeading RetreatsLectio DivinaPastorsSabbaticalSabbatical CoachSpiritual DirectionSpiritual Disciplines
Sheridan McDaniel
Building LeadersDeveloping MenForgivenessMarriagePastoral CareSmall Group Leadership
Todd Rodarmel
Enneagram CoachingBurnoutDark Night of the SoulHealthy RelationshipsLeading RetreatsSabbaticalStages of Faith
Amy Dalke
Enneagram CoachingAnxietyContemplative PrayerLectio DivinaSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Dave Larson
BurnoutCoachingLeadershipPastorsSabbaticalSabbatical CoachSermon PreparationSpiritual Direction
Gena Larson
LeadershipMinistry SpouseSabbaticalSabbatical CoachSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Jodine Zeitler
AddictionsParents of LGBTQ+Enneagram CoachingBurnoutHearing GodIdentity in ChristMarriageSoul CareStages of Faith
Robyn Jungeblut
AdoptionParentingDeveloping LeadersHealthy RelationshipsHearing GodIdentity in ChristJesus Easy YokeLeadershipLectio DivinaMarriageMinistry SpousePastorsSabbath RestSabbatical
Ned McGrady
Lectio DivinaMissionariesPastorsSabbath RestSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Joan Graham
Enneagram CoachingHealthy RelationshipsMarriageSoul CareSpiritual DirectionSpiritual DisciplinesStages of Faith
Susan Snyder
Enneagram CoachingBurnoutForgivenessHealing of MemoriesHealing PrayerHearing GodSpiritual DirectionStages of Faith
Jeff McCrory
Addiction RecoveryChurch ConflictDiscipleshipDysfunctional FamiliesLeadershipPastorsSabbaticalSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Wes Johnson
Contemplative PrayerDiscipleshipEmpathy TrainingHearing GodLeading RetreatsLectio DivinaMissionariesSpiritual Direction
Brianna Wood
Damaged emotionsBurnoutChurch ConflictHearing GodIdentity in ChristMinistry SpouseStages of FaithTraumaWomen’s issues
Jim Long
Faith deconstructionAnger managementCo-dependencyFather woundsSetting boundariesType A LeadersAddiction RecoveryBurnoutChurch ConflictCoachingDiscipleshipEmpathy TrainingHealing of MemoriesHealing PrayerLeading RetreatsLectio DivinaPastorsSoul CareSpiritual AbuseSpiritual DirectionStages of FaithTrauma
Lindsay Long
Identity in ChristLeading RetreatsLectio DivinaSoul CareSpiritual AbuseSpiritual DirectionStages of Fatih
Michelle Ruetschle
Bi-culturalHearing GodIdentity in ChristMinistry SpouseSoul CareStages of Faith
JD Senkbile
Enneagram CoachingIdentity in ChristLeadershipLeading RetreatsMarriageMissionariesPastorsSoul CareSpiritual Disciplines
Nan Popineau
Enneagram CoachingIdentity in ChristMinistry SpouseSmall Group LeadershipSoul CareSpiritual DirectionSpiritual DisciplinesStages of Faith
John Walton
Church ConflictCoachingIdentity in ChristLeadershipMinistry SpousePastorsSabbatical CoachSpiritual Direction
Bill Staffieri
BurnoutCoachingDeveloping LeadersDiscipleshipLeadershipPastorsSpiritual Direction
Rynelle Frow
ParentingLife TransitionsMinistry SpouseSabbath RestSoul CareSpiritual DirectionWomen’s issues
Karen Mees
DepressionLife TransitionsBurnoutHealing of MemoriesHearing GodMinistry SpouseSabbath RestSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Sharon Howell Welsch
Enneagram CoachingArt and SpiritualityBlended FamiliesDark Night of the SoulDivorce RecoverySoul CareSpiritual Direction
Rob Jacobs
Developing LeadersImmanuel JournalingLeadership CoachingPastorsSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Pamela Nelson
Enneagram CoachingWomen in LeadershipJourney of the SoulBurnoutLeadershipMissionariesPastorsSabbaticalSmall Group LeadershipSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Brian Steele
Enneagram CoachingGriefAdoptionFather woundsBurnoutDivorce RecoveryHearing GodSabbath RestSoul CareSpiritual AbuseSpiritual Direction
Terry Fouche
Father woundsAnxietyBurnoutDiscipleshipForgivenessIdentity in ChristMissionariesPastorsSoul CareSpiritual DirectionStages of Faith
Molly Sparling
Enneagram CoachingTime ManagementType A LeadersAnxietyChurch ConflictDark Night of the SoulSoul CareStages of Faith
Anna Kimball
Enneagram CoachingGriefLife TransitionsDivorce RecoveryHearing GodLeading RetreatsSoul CareSpiritual Direction
Melody Mak
Enneagram CoachingParentingBi-culturalContemplative PrayerDiscipleshipHealing PrayerHealthy RelationshipsIdentity in Christ
Nicole Unser
Enneagram CoachingGriefAdoptionArt and SpiritualityBlended FamiliesChurch ConflictSpiritual Abuse
Erika Juntunen
Enneagram CoachingDiscipleshipForgivenessHearing GodIdentity in ChristSoul CareSpiritual DirectionStages of Faith
Monika Kozakowski
ShameSpiritual warfareAnxietyBi-culturalHealing PrayerIdentity in ChristMissionaries
Mary Meirink
GriefAgingDark Night of the SoulForgivenessIdentity in ChristSpiritual AbuseSpiritual DisciplinesWomen’s issues
Beth Snyder
Career TransitionsChurch LeadersPsychologyTheologyTrauma-informedWorship
Craig Davis
CoachingLeading RetreatsLectio DivinaSabbath RestSoul CareSpiritual DirectionSpiritual DisciplinesStages of Faith
Spiritual Direction FAQ
Our Sr. Spiritual Directors have been trained by Dr.’s Bill and Kristi Gaultiere to help you thrive with Jesus in your life, relationships, and ministry. All of our spiritual directors have completed the Soul Shepherding Institute and received their Spiritual Direction certificate.
We define spiritual direction as an emotionally honest conversation with a mature Christ-follower who helps you appreciate God’s presence in your life. As you talk about your circumstances, problems, hopes, relationships, work, and ministry you learn to pay attention to how you’re experiencing the Spirit of Jesus (or not) and respond to his grace and guidance with growing trust, prayerfulness, and love.
Without regularly meeting with a Christlike spiritual director, soul friend, or counselor most people are not able to sustain intimacy with God, emotional wholeness, and fruitful ministry. You’ll be vulnerable to discouragement or burnout.
Soul Shepherding offers traditional spiritual direction ministry according to the guidelines of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association. Additionally, our spiritual directors offer Sabbatical coaching, leadership coaching, pastoral care, and soul care coaching.
Our spiritual directors serve as assistants to Jesus in caring for your soul. They minister empathy and prayerfulness to help you sense God’s compassion, grace, and wisdom. They also specialize in helping you make use of Soul Shepherding’s practical resources that foster intimacy with Jesus, emotional-relational health, Scripture meditation, spiritual renewal (to prevent or recover from burnout), and leadership effectiveness.
The benefits of talking with a Soul Shepherding spiritual director include:
- Receiving God’s empathy
- Help with spiritual dryness, burnout, or when God feels distant
- Developing intimacy with Jesus
- Discerning God’s will or guidance for your life or ministry
- Understanding your journey with Jesus (e.g., stage of faith)
- Soul care and spiritual renewal
- Growing spiritually through lectio divina, Ignatian meditation, breath prayers, solitude and silence, and other spiritual disciplines
- Improving your emotional and relational health
- Increasing your effectiveness in ministry or leadership
Spiritual directors do not diagnose and treat psychological disorders like psychotherapists do — they help you grow in your relationship with God. In both spiritual direction and therapy you discuss your struggles, hurts, stressors, and hopes and expect to receive empathy, confidentiality, and support for making positive changes in your life. But in spiritual direction, everything you share is listened to prayerfully and put into the larger context of your experiences with God in prayer and daily life.
Spiritual directors do not diagnose and treat psychological disorders like psychotherapists do — they help you grow in your relationship with God. In both spiritual direction and therapy you discuss your struggles, hurts, stressors, and hopes and expect to receive empathy, confidentiality, and support for making positive changes in your life. But in spiritual direction, everything you share is listened to prayerfully and put into the larger context of your experiences with God in prayer and daily life.
Many of Soul Shepherding’s spiritual directors also offer coaching for leadership, Sabbaticals, or soul care, but they define success differently than most other life and leadership coaches. Typically, coaching focuses on reaching your goals to achieve more of what you want in your business, relationships, or life. In contrast, spiritual direction focuses on discerning God’s will for you and how that shapes your desires and goals for your life, work, and relationships. In other words, spiritual directors are less directive (contrary to their title as “directors”) than coaches — they help you talk through your life events and feelings in order to be directed by the Spirit of Jesus.
Some of our spiritual directors offer Sabbatical coaching. They help you pray about, plan, and implement a Sabbatical for rest and renewal. They are trained to help you make the most out of our Sabbatical Guide, which is our all-in-one toolkit for a great season of replenishment. We help you get approval from your board or supervisor, prepare your staff and community or organization, incorporate your family, and plan for re-engaging your work or ministry after your time away.
In the first meeting, your spiritual director will briefly introduce Soul Shepherding’s approach to spiritual direction and answer your questions. Then you’ll be given a safe and confidential space to introduce yourself and what you need from spiritual direction. Your spiritual director will ask you key questions to gently guide the conversation. You can ask for your sessions to include opening prayer, Scripture meditation, quiet prayer, or a closing prayer of empathy and blessing. Our spiritual directors do their best to customize the sessions according to your feedback and needs.
We offer spiritual direction sessions on Zoom, a phone call, or in person at an office or other mutually agreed upon location. (Some of our spiritual directors offer all these options and others may offer only one or two.)
The cost is $90 for a 45-minute session. (If you need a reduced fee you can ask about this.) Typically, meetings are monthly, but can be arranged more or less frequently. You can schedule single, multiple, or ongoing meetings.
If you are a spiritual director, pastor, coach, therapist, small group leader, or soul friend and agree to our Statement of Christian Faith and Doctrine then you can join our Soul Shepherding Network. As part of your membership you will receive a listing with your photo and bio on our online directory, access to the extensive vault of Soul Shepherding ministry tools, and the opportunity to participate in an exclusive forum for community and training.