Historically, the phrase “thin space” has been used to designate spaces where the physical and spiritual world are particularly close, a kind of threshold where we can see and touch what isn’t readily apparent in daily life . The Spiritual Companioning relationship is a thin space, which anyone can access.

In a typical session, I’ll ask you how you’d like to begin. Some people like to start with verbal prayer, either they wish for me to pray or they prefer to pray. Others like to sit in silence for a bit, some want to dive right into discussion.
Spiritual Companioning sessions last from 50-60 minutes. During this time we’ll engage in conversation and deep listening. We’ll use intuition, emotion, embodiment, and intellect to encounter the deepest you, your essential self which underlies everything else that we associate with who we are. As you continue in the companioning relationship, you will learn to listen and grow in attunement to this deep self. Spiritual companionship is a safe space, and whatever you bring during our time is welcome and confidential. We might discuss what you’re noticing in your life lately, your interactions with your circumstances, your personal history and how it informs your experience today, or different forms of spiritual practice.

Usually, we’ll reach a natural stopping point, and I’ll ask how you’d like to close. This is your choice. You may sit quietly, pray, ask me to pray for you, just conclude the session, or do something else that feels appropriate.

Anyone and Everyone. If you are human, you have an essential self and a path to fullness and healing. Spiritual Companioning is not faith or circumstance specific; it only requires a desire to pay attention, and interact with what you find.

My Spiritual Companioning practice is independent of any organization or tradition other than that of Spiritual Companionship itself. My heritage is christian; however, as a result of my own process, I consider myself interspiritual. For me, this means that I see all faith practices as deeply connected and my own faith as expressive of that variety.

Spiritual Companions are as different as people are different, in personality, style, and affiliation. That’s why it’s important to spend a few sessions getting to know a possible Spiritual Companion so that you can decide whether the relationship will work for you. Spiritual Companions also have different kinds of training. These training programs vary in length and intensity. They can be as short as a few weeks and as long as three years with intense coursework and practicums.

Spiritual Companioning and therapy have significant differences. Generally, an individual goes to therapy to solve a specific problem or with a specific goal in mind. The client acknowledges that her therapist is the expert and follows that individual’s advice. While a particular circumstance (a divorce, a death, or other important transition) or trauma might cause a person to seek out a Spiritual Companion as she would a therapist, a companion accompanies rather than instructs. As a companion, I journey with you, not only through what may have been your original reason for beginning the companioning relationship, but through any other aspects of your life and self that you choose to bring to our sessions. I do this for as long as the relationship is fruitful for both of us.

Many of today’s Spiritual Companions (also called Spiritual Directors) have some sort of formal training, although the length, intensity, and approach of these programs vary. At this time, the U.S. has no formal national certification for Spiritual Companions (Canada does). Spiritual Companions should be in an ongoing relationship with their own Spiritual Companion/Director and should participate in regular supervision for Spiritual Companions. A Spiritual Companion supervisor is an experienced companion who has received additional training in supervision. Companions present their supervisor with an anonymous verbatim, which becomes the subject of a conversation about the companion’s work (NOT about the anonymous individual in the verbatim). Many companions are also members of professional organizations for Spiritual Companions or Directors. One such organization is Spiritual Directors International (SDI). I am a member of this organization and you may find my information here.

Please see the below link from Spiritual Directors International:

What Do I Look for in a Spiritual Companion?