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Find out more about Spiritual Direction on the Internet

Spiritual Directors

Listed below are the spiritual directors available to be contacted through this site. If you are a spiritual director and would like to participate, click here.

Note: the fee charged by each director varies, but is generally $35 - 65 per session, depending on the director you choose. All make a sliding scale available and are willing to negotiate for what you can afford. Don't let finances be an obstacle to getting involved.

Women
Men
Mary Rees, M.S. Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min.
Rev. Connie Burkholder, M. Div. Rev. River Sims
Sr. Carole Riley, Ph.D., LPC  
Deborah Abram  


 

Mary Rees, MS.
Mary ReesMy work is midwifing Mystery. As a Spiritual Director, I am of most value to those wishing to focus on their prayer life and who may feel a little out of place in traditional settings, who are in leadership roles within their traditions, or who may be experiencing a shift in their understanding of God.

I work with people from various traditions and primarily point to the possibilities of prayer as an embodied experience, accessible regardless of ones tradition. I especially enjoy supporting people in a balanced opening to experiences of God and in learning to live skillfully and happily through the whole range of possibilities in prayer life - from times of dryness through times of feeling overwhelmed by Love.
- See http://www.citta101.org/maryrees.htm for more information.

- Application for spiritual direction

Rev. River Sims.
Rev. River SimsI am an ordained priest affiliated with the Society of Fanciscan Workers, who lives and works in the Polk neighborhood of San Francisco. My own spiritual journey through sexual identity issues and depression has lead me into a ministy of presence and harm reduction with prostitues, homeless kids, and idu users. This journey has given me particular ability and understanding with people who are struggling with sexual identity and faith, with adolescents, and with the poorest of the poor.

Formal credentials include a Masters of Divinity Degree, a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree, all with emphasis on spirituaity. I have been in direction for 10 years, have directed for 5, and am supervised by another director. Areas of familiarity include Centering Prayer, Focusing, Contemplative Sitting, Scripture meditation, Guided Imagery, Creation Spirituality, 12 Step Spirituality, Enneagram, and Mystics.

I consider it a privilege to companion others on the spiritual journey.

- Application for spiritual direction

Rev. Connie Burkholder:
I enjoy helping people be attentive to the presence, action, and love of God in their lives through the ministry of spiritual direction. My experiences of listening to people’s life stories began formally in my pastoral ministry work in the Church of the Brethren, the denomination in which I have been ordained since 1983. My pastoral, administrative, and spiritual direction ministry has given me opportunity to have connections and positive relationships across ecumenical and interfaith lines, so I am comfortable listening to and accompanying a variety of people. Across the years, I’ve had experience in leading retreats, group spiritual direction, given the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and written bible study materials for the Church of the Brethren. I have a graduate certificate in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats from Creighton University’s Christian Spirituality Program in addition to an M. Div. from Bethany Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College. Currently I’m on the team of Heartland Center for Spirituality in Great Bend, KS and a Partner in Mission with the Dominican Sisters in Great Bend.

Application for spiritual direction


Philip St. Romain.
I am a married man (since 1976) and the faither of three children. My professional background and experience includes biology, campus ministry, substance abuse counseling, writing (18 books in print), retreat ministry, and spiritual direction. Formal credentials include a masters degree in biology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in spiritual direction (Graduate Theological Foundation, 1995).

I believe that God is always here, now, and loving each person into greater growth and wholeness. My primary focus in spiritual direction is to help individuals come to center their lives in this truth, and to let go of the obstacles to its realization. Unto this end, I am comfortable using Twelve Step spirituality, Jung's psychology, contemplative disciplines, and other tools for inner growth. I have also helped individuals in spiritual emergencies such as kundalini arisings and dark nights.

- Application for spiritual direction


Sister Carole Riley, Ph.D., LPC, AAPC-fellow

Sr. Carole RileyA native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, with two younger brothers, I am a member of the Sisters of Divine Providence. I serve as professor of music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa, leads retreats internationally, and is executive director of the Institute for Spirituality in Charleston WV. Trained in the Jesuit tradition by the religious of the retreat in the Cenacle, she has been influenced by Ignatian spirituality which informed her work in Formative Spirituality. She is familiar with 12-step spirituality.

Application for spiritual direction

Deborah Abram
Deborah AbramI am a graduate of the Audire Program of Spirtual Directors.I belong to a non-denominational church. I grew up in the Catholic Faith . I see all spiritual paths as sacred. I hold a holy space and deep listening in helping people connect with the divine. I am non-judgmental and celebrate the uniqueness of an individual's spiritual journey. I am also a licensed mental health counselor and a creativity coach. I use creative approaches in all that I do. I look forward to journeying with you on your spiritual journey.

- Application for spiritual direction