FAQ
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is a set apart time to attend to what is hidden and sacred in life with a skilled practitioner. It is a non-judgmental and discerning space to grow capacity to hold ourselves, others, and all of life. It is an opportunity to be supported in growing spiritual connection and freedom in spiritual practice.
A couple other words I use to refer to what I do are “spiritual companioning” and “spiritual accompaniment”.
You can find more on Spiritual Direction, here.
How is Spiritual Direction different than therapy?
Spiritual Direction focuses on the spiritual life of a person or group and incorporates spiritual practice. While all of life is connected and therefore is present and welcome in Spiritual Direction, it is intentional about turning its eye toward a person or group’s spiritual world.
Spiritual Directors also avoid giving advice and or solutions to issues, though they do support a person or group in discerning their path and can offer resources as they desire. They cannot treat mental health issues and should be trained in discerning when an issue that someone is facing is appropriate for therapy. Often times, people can work with both a therapist and spiritual director at the same time.
What can I expect in a session?
In a one-on-one session, you can expect to be listened to without judgement. You can expect to be invited to contemplation or practice based on what is helpful to you. You can expect someone to listen with you and support your discernment. You can expect that everything will be an invitation. And you can expect to grow in spiritual confidence over time. Sessions are generally one-hour long monthly.
In a group session, you can expect me to facilitate space for people to listen and support one another, discern with one another, or stretch their spiritual connection, freedom, and practice together. It depends on the make-up and focus of your group.
What is your spiritual or faith background?
For more of my story and background, please see my About Me page.
Where were you trained?
I was trained at Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies.
For more on my education, experience, and accountability, please see my About Me page.
Who do you work with?
I am open to working with anyone who is willing to work with me. However, I prioritize women of color and non-binary folks of color with my time.
I work best with people who are open to discomfort and w@ndering, wading in the deep, and tarrying (waiting expectantly) in the Spirit. (See below for more on this.) I value sifting, integrating, and expanding the ways in which our upbringings have packaged our understanding of spirit, ourselves, and our sense of what is and can be real. And I am gifted at supporting people in the midst of uncertainty, long processes of transition, healing from church hurt and rediscovery.
If you’re wondering if I’m right for you, schedule a free intro and let’s talk!
What does W@nder, Wade, and Tarry mean?
This is the way I understand and articulate the distinct flavor and philosophy of my practice. It is what I bring to my community and to people I work with. It is grounded both in my mysticism and in my Black Southern heritage:
W@nder: being curious about the wildness of life and of the Spirit; embracing mystery.
Wade: attending to what often is going on under the surface of our lives, that which is hidden and sacred.
Tarry: waiting with expectation. I practice sitting intentionally with people in uncomfortable places and through uncomfortable seasons.
I don’t believe the journey and experience of others needs to be the same as mine. But these are invitations from the Spirit that I extend to others to create places of exploration, collaboration and healing.
In my view, it is the Spirit that guides us to freedom, which is not necessarily a place, but a way of moving. I am here to move with it and with you!
Where are you located?
I’m currently located outside of Houston, TX.
I work with people all over the world.
Are sessions in-person or virtual?
Since 2020, I have done most sessions virtually.
However, if you are located near me, you can choose to have sessions virtually or in-person.