Supervision is a space for spiritual directors to tend to their personal formation and maintain good practice as they seek to be soul companions to others.
Regular supervision is essential for all practicing spiritual directors. I tend to meet most directors online (Zoom) for these supervision times. My hope is that these times are restorative and affirming as well as creating space to retain focus on the good practice of our work.
In supervision we are processing the inner experiences of you, the spiritual director (evoked during a SD session) in order to help you grow in awareness of their interior movements, reactions and responses. Doing this helps us become more attentive to others and to God.
My approach to supervision is contemplative and seeks to be nurturing, restorative and formational for spiritual directors. As with many supervisors I ask all directors to engage in self-reflection in preparation for the supervision session (I will provide contemplative reflection questions to facilitate this).
My work in supervision sits along side my work in spiritual direction, and is part of my desire to nurture the formation of spiritual companions. I received supervision training from the London Centre for Spiritual Direction (LCSD, 2018), and additional training with Sustainable Faith (Online, 2021-22).
Supervision is prayerfully reflective
We will always begin the supervision time with prayer and stillness. Cultivating a contemplative posture will help as we notice the movements of the Spirit: signs of consolation, insight or invitation, and moments when you deeply present and attentive. And space to gracefully look at counter-movements (e.g distraction, resistance, anxiety).
Attending to your inner life and discernment in supervision
We will give particular action to your interior responses including the feelings that arose in a spiritual direction session and your experience of God. There will also be space to consider how these might connect to your own experience and how they are reflected in your responses
What you bring and what you take away in supervision
Supervision benefits from a clear intention with a focus on your inner experience. There can also be some space for consultation and things which will practically your development. The results of a supervision session often include: an increased sense of grace for what was brought to the item, a fresh insight, growth in awareness or awareness of your desired future growth.