Therapy vs. Spiritual Direction

Therapy vs. Spiritual Direction‍

By Marsha Thayer, LISCW, Listening Collective Member

‍How do we evaluate the benefits of therapy versus spiritual direction? Both disciplines provide a safe space for deep listening, curiosity, compassion, empathy and respect for all humans.

I view this topic through two lenses: that of a trained clinical social worker/therapist, and that of a spiritual director. I have been a therapist longer than I have been a spiritual director, and my therapy training was not within a Christian-based program. I completed my spiritual direction training through Rolling Ridge's Gateways to God program two years ago, and as I actively provide services as a therapist and a spiritual director, and as I learn more about the similarities but also the differences, I come away with further curiosities.

My experience has been that sometimes therapy and spiritual direction intersect. For example, I may suggest the use of spiritual practices with some of my therapy clients, but offering advice or problem solving with a directee in spiritual direction is not a lane that I should be in. Sharing resources with a directee is acceptable if I sense the Spirit is nudging me to do so. Both therapists and spiritual directors listen for what is being said, as well as what is not being said. In spiritual direction, we also listen for the guidance of God or the Holy Spirit.

Therapy focuses in part on providing tools to help alleviate a client's psychological distress. Traditional non-Christian therapy has its underpinnings in a medical model where a complete BioPsychosocial-Spiritual Assessment is taken of the individual in order to arrive at a diagnosis so a treatment plan can be formulated with the individual regarding the alleviation of the psychological distress. A therapist would be looking for patterns of maladaptive thoughts/ behaviors, family mental health patterns, past trauma and cognitive distortions. Depending on the training background of the therapist, they would then offer advice, resources and a treatment modality such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), EMDR, or solution-focused therapy. These modalities are tools used to help a client manage or overcome their particular psychological challenge. Therapy clients have an expectation to find relief for either their anxiety, depression, relationship issues or trauma symptoms. The goal of therapy is to teach or to problem solve.

In contrast, spiritual direction allows an individual to sit with what God is offering them, and to companion alongside them on their spiritual journey. In spiritual direction, the directee can speak about anything that is in their heart or mind as it relates to their spiritual journey, which can also include any psychological struggles. Instead of providing advice, a spiritual director would deeply listen and sense intuitively and spiritually the invitations to the directee to deepen their relationship with God. God is always present in the room and is an active participant in the time together and is the true director. The agenda for spiritual direction is usually set by the presence of the Holy Spirit, whereas the agenda in therapy is set by the client and therapist. Spiritual direction focuses on the everyday experiences of the directee and the presence of God in those experiences. Both director and directee pay attention to the Spirit’s gentle leading and prompting as they talk together with the goal being that the directee will become closer to God and move towards becoming the person that God created them to be.

Through personal experience of receiving both therapy and spiritual direction, I believe that both can provide healing. When a person seeks me out for therapy or spiritual direction, I often explain the differences, and might ask them to read one or two articles and pray about their choice before they decide which one they would like to pursue with me. I do not offer both at the same time.

Here is a summary of some of the key differences between therapy and spiritual direction (from "Therapy vs. Spiritual Direction: Which is best for me?"

by Becky Young, LPC, Spiritual Director).‍

What does a therapist or spiritual director do?‍

Therapist:

• Attunes to your words and emotions to help you find understanding relief, and connection
• Occasionally offers insightful answers and/or education to help you move forward
• Pays attention to your story and helps you see how your past informs your present circumstances
• Keeps your goals and objectives in mind
• Is trained in therapeutic frameworks and techniques, mental health and interpersonal communication

Spiritual Director:

• Attunes to the Holy Spirit as well as your words, emotions, and desires
• Has no agenda or goals, does not "fix" problems but helps you see God within your problems
• Invites you to pause, reflect, and pray
• Helps you learn or engage in certain types of prayer or spiritual practices while in session
• Is trained in spiritual formation, theology, faith journeying and interpersonal communication

What is the session like?

Therapy:

• Safe, quiet atmosphere of trust and connection
• Questions, conversation, attending to emotions and thoughts that arise
• May or may not include prayer in the session
• May include grounding practices to help regulate uncomfortable emotions
• Sessions are usually weekly or bi-weekly

Spiritual Direction:

• Safe, quiet atmosphere of trust and connection
• Questions, conversation, attending to emotions, thoughts, and God
• Includes contemplative space for silence, reflection, and prayer
• May include Scripture and engaging in spiritual practices
• Sessions are usually monthly

What are some goals and benefits?

Therapy:

• Resolve discomfort or problems
• Focus on goals, growth, and desired outcomes
• Address how past trauma impacts the present
• Improve emotions, relationships, and life circumstances
• Wholeness, deeper understanding of one's self and story

Spiritual Direction:

• Explore faith, self and God
• Seek God's presence, and notice His movements
• Understand faith journey and spiritual formation
• Discover intimacy with God

For those who are therapists or spiritual directors, or both, as we work within these two modalities, these questions may be helpful:

• What are the ethical and practical boundaries of spiritual direction?
• What indicators help us to know when to refer a directee to see a therapist? What resources should a spiritual director have to make the appropriate referral?
• How should spiritual directors be trained to be trauma informed?
• How does a trained therapist bring their own personal Christian perspective to that role?

Some people may first choose therapy and later seek spiritual direction when they feel ready. Others begin with spiritual reflection and recognize the need to process deeper emotional pain in therapy. As deep listeners, whether we are therapists or spiritual directors, may we stay attuned to the needs of those who seek us out for care and guidance.