A Guide to Choosing a Spiritual Director

Embarking on a search for a spiritual director is a profound step in your journey of faith. It’s the process of finding someone to sit with you, listen and help you notice the divine at work in your daily life.

But with so many directors in the LCSD Community, where do you start? The key is identifying what matters most to you before you hit "search."

It is worth thinking these things through beforehand, as they will have a factor in how well you connect with the Director when you meet with them and how easy it is to build a long-term relationship with them.

1. The Personal: Who will you open up to?

Before looking at names, consider the "who" behind the chair. Different factors matter to different people, and there are no wrong answers here.

• Identity: Do you feel more comfortable with a man or a woman? A lay person, a priest, or a member of a religious order?

• Tradition: Do you want someone from your own denomination, or would you prefer an "eclectic" approach? Are you drawn to specific traditions like Ignatian (structured, imaginative prayer) or Benedictine (rhythms of work and prayer)?

• Shared Language: Would you like a director who shares your love for music, poetry, or painting? Or perhaps someone who understands personality tools like the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs?

• Additional care practices: Would you like a Director who has a background in other care practices such as counselling, coaching or psychotherapy?

2. Practicalities: Making it Sustainable

Practicalities are important for making a Spiritual Direction relationship work long term. It needs to work with the reality of your life.

• Frequency: Most people meet every four to six weeks. What interval feels right for your pace of life?

• The "Where": Do you crave the physical presence of an in-person meeting, or does the flexibility of online sessions suit you better? If meeting in situ, how far are you willing to travel to find the right match?

• The Financials: This is a professional ministry. Many directors rely on this as income, while others ask for a donation to cover supervision and training costs. A helpful guideline for a donation is whatever you earn in one hour of work.

3. The Professional Safeguards

There is no official accreditation for Spiritual Directors, and we do not employ the members of the LCSD community. When you use the LCSD Directory, you are looking at a community that abides by a Code of Practice. This ensures:

• Spiritual Direction: They are in regular direction themselves

• Supervision: They have their own mentor checking their work.

• Safeguarding: They have had Safeguarding training in the last three years.

• Accountability: They are committed to ongoing spiritual development.

4. What’s Next?

Once you’ve reflected on these questions, head over to our Community Directory. You can search by name, category, or use the "Text" box to find specific interests. Read our guide on how to use the directory here.

Remember, there is no obligation. Reach out for an informal conversation. Your accompanier is out there, waiting to start the journey with you.

1. Search: Use the LCSD Directory tags (e.g., "Catholic," "Donation," "Online") to find 2–3 names.

2. Reach Out: Send a short email asking for an "exploratory conversation." Think about how to respond to people as you reach out.

3. Review: After the first meeting, ask yourself: Did I feel heard? Was there space for me to be myself? We wrote a guide on how to reflect after your first session to see if it a good fit.

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