Frequently Asked Questions:
What is spiritual direction? Spiritual direction is a one-on-one conversation with someone trained in spiritual formation — the lifelong, ongoing process of growing in relationship with God. As your spiritual director, I’m a companion who listens for the Holy Spirit’s leading in what you share, and I keep everything we discuss confidential. You can be brand new to faith or have walked with God for decades; either way, spiritual direction is a place to talk honestly about belief, doubt, grief, and the questions that don’t have tidy answers.
What Is a Life Coach? A life coach helps people progress toward a more fulfilling life. They assist clients in enhancing their relationships, careers, and daily lives. Life coaches can help you clarify your goals, identify the obstacles holding you back, and then help come up with strategies for overcoming each obstacle.
Life coaching emerged in the 1980s and became more popular in the 1990s and 2000s. Initially focused on life planning, it expanded to cover relationships, finances, careers, health, and well-being. Training for coaching has evolved to certifying a person as a Coach who can then turn to a specialty such as coaching people in specific professions or stay a generalist.
I am credentialled by the International Coaching Federation as a Coach. I am a generalist.
What’s the difference between coaching and spiritual direction? Coaching is action-focused — we get clear on what’s in your way, and you leave each session with a concrete plan. Spiritual direction is more reflective — it’s about your relationship with God, and sessions often include prayer and don’t always end with a to-do list. Many clients find they benefit from both at different times, and we can talk together about which fits what you’re carrying right now.
Who is this for? I work with ministry leaders, clergy, certified lay ministers, and people of any faith background, as well as adults and women professionals navigating a significant life transition — grief, career change, caregiving, or simply a season that’s asking more of you than usual.
Is my first session really free? Yes. Your first session, whether coaching or spiritual direction, is complimentary — so we can both find out if we work well together before you commit to anything further.
What does it cost after that? Most clients begin with a three-month agreement, meeting monthly or twice a month. Thirty-minute sessions are $40; sixty-minute sessions are $75.
Is everything confidential? Yes. What you share with me stays with me. Confidentiality is something I take seriously in every conversation, whether we’re talking about your career, your grief, or your faith.
Do we meet in person or online? Both. I see clients in person in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and by video anywhere. Choose whichever fits your life.
What happens in a spiritual direction session? We usually open with prayer or a quiet moment and close the same way. In between, I listen for what’s really driving the conversation, and I might offer a practice to sit with before we meet again — a devotional, journaling prompt, scripture reflection, or a practice like lectio divina.*
What happens in a coaching session? You bring what’s on your mind — the thing that’s most urgent, or the next piece of a bigger goal you’re working toward. I listen, affirm, and ask questions that help you think it through. We close with a plan: two or three concrete things to do before we meet again.
*Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of prayerfully reading and meditating upon Scripture. Its aim is to draw closer to God through intentional reflection on His Word. This form of reading has been practiced throughout church history to assist believers in experiencing a more intimate relationship with God.