Differences Between Spiritual Direction and Psychological Counseling

What is the Difference Between Spiritual Direction and Psychological Counseling?

Similarities If you peeked in to observe a session in spiritual direction and also one in psychological counseling, you might at first think they looked very much the same. They both occur in a quiet, safe place, where trust is sacred and protected. They both require deep listening and attunement on the part of the professional. They both involve telling one’s story and seeking meaning and direction. They both include talk about a person’s everyday life and relationships. But there are significant differences.

Differences ∙ The Environment ∙ The first difference you would notice is in the spiritual direction room. There are obvious symbols here that draw your attention to the Holy. There is usually a candle on a table, and there are often other symbols representing the sacred placed nearby: a cross, something from nature, a bible, a spiritual text, or spiritual quote.

∙ The Relationship ∙ Another difference is in the relationship. The primary relationship in spiritual direction is between God and the directee, while in psychotherapy, the primary relationship is between the therapist and the client.

In spiritual direction, we think of God as the true Director or the Sacred Therapist. The spiritual director acts a facilitator fostering the person’s relationship with God, but his or her role is secondary. In counseling, the role of the therapist is primary. Therapists are listening for the movements and patterns of the person. Spiritual directors are listening for the movements of God.

∙ The Prayer and Intimacy ∙ Spiritual direction, unlike counseling, always happens in the context of prayer and spiritual intimacy. This is where the engagement happens. In therapy, some “clinical distance” on the part of the therapist is important for maintaining objectivity and promoting healing in the client.

In spiritual direction, discernment is based upon “the intimate engagement of two people walking into the sanctuary of God.” The spiritual director is a close companion in the spiritual process, deeply engaged in prayer also. They are both in close companionship with God.

The Need ∙ A Crisis ∙ Usually, unhappiness or a precipitating crisis brings people into therapy. They come seeking relief from some brokenness in their life, hoping to solve their problems and make things better. Clients come with pain, shame, guilt, abuse, addiction, relationship dysfunction, or suffering from poor self-image. The therapist uses psychological tools in a clinical setting to promote healing and restore emotional health.

∙ A Longing ∙ In spiritual direction, however, people typically come because they are feeling an inner hunger or longing, sometimes not knowing for what, but it is experienced as a spiritual need. Many describe it as a yearning, an ache, a call of the heart or soul for more meaning, or for a closer connection to God or Spirit in their lives. Directees may also come with shame, pain, and guilt. The key difference is that spiritual directors operate from the assumption that “the person is already whole, but hasn’t yet fully embraced this truth for themselves.” Healing comes, but it comes from strengthening the soul connection.

A Sacred Call vs. A Professional Vocation Both spiritual directors and therapists receive professional training and certification. While psychotherapy is a vocation or career, spiritual direction is thought of primarily as a ministry or a sacred call. Spiritual direction is not viewed as something that can be taught, but rather as a gift that can be fine-tuned. It first starts with a prayerful sense of having received the call or “charism,” which then propels someone into further training. All therapists charge a fee. Most spiritual directors also ask for a donation or reasonable fee, although some directors are supported by faith communities, religious orders, or retreat centers that do not charge any fee at all. Since it is considered a ministry, most spiritual directors do not turn someone away because of an inability to pay.

Differences Between Spiritual Direction and Psychological Counseling

Spiritual Direction

Psychological Counseling

Goal

To assist a person to discover God acting in his or her life and to facilitate that person’s creative, loving response to God; presupposes a certain degree of healthy psychological functioning and a fidelity to daily personal prayer.

To assist a person to discover God acting in his or her life and to facilitate that person’s creative, loving response to God; presupposes a certain degree of healthy psychological functioning and a fidelity to daily personal prayer.

Process

In the context of a one-to-one helping relationship, director and directee together attend to and discern the primary relationship and call of God in the directee’s life and his or her response to the mystery of grace.

The therapeutic relationship between counselor and client.

Techniques

Interaction between spiritual director and directee, utilizing self-disclosure, support, questions, clarifications, and reflection on patterns of prayer and on the creative action of God in the directee’s life.

Interaction between counselor and client utilizing self-disclosure, observations, support, clarifications, interpretations, etc.

Area of Focus

Directee’s relationship with God as experienced and developed through prayer, life experience, and relationships.

Client’s life experience (past and present) events, thoughts, relationships, feelings, especially areas of pain; family of origin.

Source: Jeffrey S. Gaines, M Div, Former SDI Executive Director, Hungryhearts News, Summer ’96 by the Office of Discipleship and Spirituality, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)