What is Spiritual Direction Supervision?

 

Whether in person or virtual, supervision is a crucial component of spiritual direction.  Supervision focuses on the spiritual director – not the directee. It’s basically a two-part process, with the first part being self-reflection.  It’s about looking at yourself and reflecting on what you said or did (or didn’t say or do), how you felt, what you noticed (did you “get in the way,” were you “triggered” by the directee, did you zone out?)…what was your experience during the session? What was stirring in you?  

 

The second part of the supervision process is the vulnerable sharing of your self-reflection with your supervisor (and/or with peers).  Your supervisor and fellow spiritual directors then share their questions and insights for the purpose of helping you find even deeper awareness of your behaviors, motives, assumptions, emotions, and areas of resistance.  As spiritual directors, we’re able to help directees go only to the depth that we’re willing to go ourselves. Supervision helps us do that so we can be more fully present to others.