What is Spiritual Counselling?

My approach to spiritual counselling combines therapeutic person-centred counselling with an appreciation of mindfulness and the contemplative spiritual traditions. It may involve connecting to your inner self through reflection, journalling, contemplation and meditation as well as exploring the big questions relating to the ‘great matter of life and death’ – who are you? Why are you here? What is the meaning of life? What is your purpose? What is happiness? How should we live? I don’t believe there are any definitive, universal answers to these questions but my experience is that exploring them can be enriching and help us to ‘wake up’ to what is most important in our lives.

I’ve been on my own spiritual journey for the last 15 years, though if I look back earlier in my life I can see that I have always been wrestling with existential issues and searching or seeking for spirituality, understanding, peace and balance since I was a child.  From a very early age, I felt a spiritual connection to nature, a fascination with ritual, ceremony, incense and candles and an interest in world religions. I was brought up as a Roman Catholic and as an adult my journey has led me to explore traditional celtic and neo-pagan spirituality, Buddhism (I spent over a decade practicing and studying  Zen Buddhism) and more recently traditional african spirituality.

I am open to spiritual counselling with individuals of any religion or none, including those with an existing spiritual practice and those that are just curious and exploring. In keeping with my Person Centred foundations, I would never force any of my own beliefs, experiences or practices on you and similarly would practice being warmly accepting, empathic and embracing of whatever religious or spiritual tradition(s) and practices speak to you.

Just as in traditional counselling, my approach is to walk alongside you as a companion and fellow traveller as your explore and take your own spiritual journey.

If you’d like to know more about spiritual counselling and whether it is right for you, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.