Frequently asked questions
How is a Spiritual Doula session different than therapy? Can I do both?
Sorry to so often go back to birth, but I think one of the more helpful analogies is to think of a therapist as a midwife whereas a spiritual director is like a doula. A midwife is a clinically-trained and licensed practitioner who is responsible for the safety and health of baby and birthing person. A doula may be trained and certified, but stays in their lane by offering presence, support and comfort but not medical care. A midwife is responsible for health and safety. A birth doula is focused primarily on the birthing person's experience.
With this in mind, mental health conditions need the attention of a trained and licensed therapist. Spiritual direction may act as a compliment to therapy, but never as a substitute. Spiritual directors are considered "Existential Health Practitioners." (maybe in the future that label will catch on well enough that the confusing misnomer of "spiritual director" will go the way of the dodo!) Merely existing as a human brings up needs and struggles that may not meet the diagnostic threshold of depression, anxiety or another mental health disorder. And baseline mental health does not always equal a thriving existence. Ethically, I may need to suspend a spiritual direction relationship if it's clear that untreated mental health concerns are at play. But as long as any clinically diagnosable areas of mental health are absent, in remission or being treated, then spiritual direction can be an excellent way to cope and thrive through the experience of existing as a human.
Sorry to so often go back to birth, but I think one of the more helpful analogies is to think of a therapist as a midwife whereas a spiritual director is like a doula. A midwife is a clinically-trained and licensed practitioner who is responsible for the safety and health of baby and birthing person. A doula may be trained and certified, but stays in their lane by offering presence, support and comfort but not medical care. A midwife is responsible for health and safety. A birth doula is focused primarily on the birthing person's experience.
With this in mind, mental health conditions need the attention of a trained and licensed therapist. Spiritual direction may act as a compliment to therapy, but never as a substitute. Spiritual directors are considered "Existential Health Practitioners." (maybe in the future that label will catch on well enough that the confusing misnomer of "spiritual director" will go the way of the dodo!) Merely existing as a human brings up needs and struggles that may not meet the diagnostic threshold of depression, anxiety or another mental health disorder. And baseline mental health does not always equal a thriving existence. Ethically, I may need to suspend a spiritual direction relationship if it's clear that untreated mental health concerns are at play. But as long as any clinically diagnosable areas of mental health are absent, in remission or being treated, then spiritual direction can be an excellent way to cope and thrive through the experience of existing as a human.
What is the cost, and what if I am interested, but I struggle to afford something like spiritual direction?
I have always found it personally frustrating to visit a professional website that features robust descriptions of services and inviting information about the provider, but is unclear or not upfront about the cost. I refuse to do that. I also want to uphold the value of my time and expertise, while trying to find ways to make it accessible for people who may struggle to afford this luxury. I feel awkward talking about money. Maybe you do too. I hope this makes it easier on both of us.
All of my workshops and group gatherings are offered on a "no one will be turned away for lack of funds" basis, with clear suggested donations attached. There will always be one or more monthly group offerings available for those who can invest little to nothing. A donation link will be included in your confirmation email when you register for any workshop or group gathering.
Individual spiritual doula sessions are $75 for a one-hour session, a price reflective of the investment of time, energy and money that I have put into my training, and a fee and that enables me to make a living wage doing work that I love. As time passes and as I gain more experience and expertise, this fee is set to rise by $5 a year, each September. We can settle how you plan to pay ahead of our first session (Venmo, PayPal), and I will send a reminder or request after the session is complete.
With any money I receive above the suggested donation or individual session fee, I am creating an Access Fund that will allow me to offer a limited number of sliding scale individual spiritual doula sessions each month. I appreciate the approach of the Green Bottle model as a way to think about a sliding scale. I invite anyone with a "full bottle" to consider contributing to this Access Fund. When available, I will offer a "half bottle" fee of $35 for a session and an "empty bottle" fee of any amount you can afford to pay.
As best as I am able I will provide updates here as to the current availability of Access Fund supplemented sessions. (As I am newly launching this practice, there are no funds at this present time, check back 10/1/26.)
I have always found it personally frustrating to visit a professional website that features robust descriptions of services and inviting information about the provider, but is unclear or not upfront about the cost. I refuse to do that. I also want to uphold the value of my time and expertise, while trying to find ways to make it accessible for people who may struggle to afford this luxury. I feel awkward talking about money. Maybe you do too. I hope this makes it easier on both of us.
All of my workshops and group gatherings are offered on a "no one will be turned away for lack of funds" basis, with clear suggested donations attached. There will always be one or more monthly group offerings available for those who can invest little to nothing. A donation link will be included in your confirmation email when you register for any workshop or group gathering.
Individual spiritual doula sessions are $75 for a one-hour session, a price reflective of the investment of time, energy and money that I have put into my training, and a fee and that enables me to make a living wage doing work that I love. As time passes and as I gain more experience and expertise, this fee is set to rise by $5 a year, each September. We can settle how you plan to pay ahead of our first session (Venmo, PayPal), and I will send a reminder or request after the session is complete.
With any money I receive above the suggested donation or individual session fee, I am creating an Access Fund that will allow me to offer a limited number of sliding scale individual spiritual doula sessions each month. I appreciate the approach of the Green Bottle model as a way to think about a sliding scale. I invite anyone with a "full bottle" to consider contributing to this Access Fund. When available, I will offer a "half bottle" fee of $35 for a session and an "empty bottle" fee of any amount you can afford to pay.
As best as I am able I will provide updates here as to the current availability of Access Fund supplemented sessions. (As I am newly launching this practice, there are no funds at this present time, check back 10/1/26.)
What even happens during an individual spiritual doula session?
Each session both begins and ends with a moment of silence and deep listening. Often times you may come with things already on your mind. Sometimes this momentary silence enables you focus, feel and articulate that thing. Sometimes the silence invites something different altogether! I guarantee that I will listen far more than I will speak, with the hope that my attention and safe presence will help what wants to be heard to rise up naturally. When I do speak, there will be far more questions than statements. I may share briefly from my experience, suggest resources that I have found to be helpful, or offer practices or rituals that may find helpful. I may take or consult notes sparingly.
Each session both begins and ends with a moment of silence and deep listening. Often times you may come with things already on your mind. Sometimes this momentary silence enables you focus, feel and articulate that thing. Sometimes the silence invites something different altogether! I guarantee that I will listen far more than I will speak, with the hope that my attention and safe presence will help what wants to be heard to rise up naturally. When I do speak, there will be far more questions than statements. I may share briefly from my experience, suggest resources that I have found to be helpful, or offer practices or rituals that may find helpful. I may take or consult notes sparingly.
What are other frequently asked questions?
No, really. I'm asking you! Do you have a question that is not addressed here? Email to let me know, I will respond, and maybe it will end up on this page!
No, really. I'm asking you! Do you have a question that is not addressed here? Email to let me know, I will respond, and maybe it will end up on this page!
How bad are you at typos?
Bad. Really bad. So bad that one time when I tried to proclaim myself the "Typo Queen" I actually typed "Typo Queef." Have you found any on this page? There's something else you can email me about! Honestly though, that's one of the reasons why I struggle with social media. I'm trying to overcome my fear of typos and just share more freely and frequently. So if you can be kind about my typos, follow me on Instagram @ReclaimingRapture.
Bad. Really bad. So bad that one time when I tried to proclaim myself the "Typo Queen" I actually typed "Typo Queef." Have you found any on this page? There's something else you can email me about! Honestly though, that's one of the reasons why I struggle with social media. I'm trying to overcome my fear of typos and just share more freely and frequently. So if you can be kind about my typos, follow me on Instagram @ReclaimingRapture.