Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is an ancient practice of accompanying each other on our journey as embodied beings moving toward Spiritual Wholeness. My working definition is “The Art and Practice of walking with one another through all the ages and stages of life, love and loss, while unafraid to go to the deepest depths and highest peaks of human and Divine connection.”

I use the terms interchangeably, but my preference is Spiritual Companion because I believe we all have inherent gifts and insights to share with one another. Some people prefer a relationship of guidance with a Spiritual Director taking the lead. But either way, this relationship is about YOU and what your Spirit needs, and I am here to help with that journey.

I believe that we are inherently spiritual beings, embodied souls who seek to find and make meaning in the lives we are given on this earth. Exploring the significance of our lives, how we live, the choices we make, the relationships we have and the purpose of our existence is the most deeply human activity we can undertake.

Throughout out lives, we yearn for connection – whether that be with our best selves, our human community, our earthly home and its inhabitants or a Divine source of Love. From the smallest details of our daily living to the most sweeping movement of Love, Creativity and Healing in our lives, Spiritual Direction/Companionship helps us seek and honour those connections, easing our journey through life by finding understanding and inspiration as we make sense of the sacred calling of being human.

When you have questions with no easy answers. When you’re grieving. When you’re wondering. When you yearn for connection with God, yourself or others. When you’re at a crossroad. When you want to deepen your sense of awe and mystery. When you’re experiencing a dark night of the soul. When you want to feel more alive. When Spirit is calling your name. When you seek clarity or renewed purpose. When you long for wholeness. When you seek Ultimate meaning. When you want to feel more truly, act more authentically, live more intentionally and love more deeply.

Anyone. Everyone. At any time. Your whole life long.

If you’re curious about working together, you’re invited to experience a complementary Spiritual Direction session to see if we’re a good match. I can meet with you virtually on Zoom, FaceTime or WhatsApp – or preferably in person. I’m based in Ancaster (Hamilton), Ontario and environs.

In our first meeting, I will invite you to share enough of your story that I can understand why you seek Spiritual Direction or Companionship. Our time together will go forward from there.

Typically we will begin with a reading or musical offering that centres us together in spiritual practice and we will often conclude the same way. In between is up to you, but my general approach is to encourage, inquire, offer insight, support and reflect back.

There are many programs offered throughout the world in many different religious denominations and spiritual disciplines. My training was within my own Unitarian Universalist Faith community – Meadville Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago’s LIGHT Institute (Leadership Institute for Growth, Healing and Transformation.)

The Spiritual Direction Formation and Certification Program is a 2 year program that encompasses 200 + hours of diverse resources, virtual and asynchronous learning, theory and practice, personal Spiritual Direction and Peer Supervision.

In addition to training as a Spiritual Director, I am an ordained Unitarian Universalist Minister who has served in Parish, Hospital and Campus Ministry settings for more than 25 years. I have special skills in supporting grief and bereavement from children to seniors through all kinds of losses, in counselling couples for marriage preparation and enrichment, in guiding young adults through identity formation and life purpose, in easing and assisting life transitions and in using ritual for healing and insight throughout the changes and challenges of life.

I believe that Spiritual Direction should be available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay. I also believe in a spirituality of abundance that holds that all are equally worthy and there is enough to go around for everyone. And I also believe in honouring the inherent value that the helping professions bring to our human living.

So – the fees I ask are on a sliding scale so that all can partake and those who are able contribute more, and those less able at this time may still experience Spiritual Direction.

Under- or unemployed, part-time, students, retirees or work at home parents will all be considered one on one, but many can partake of a 50% reduced rate or $75/hr.

Many who choose to do Spiritual Direction/Companioning are clergy or work in related helping professions, for example, Religious Education professionals or those engaged in Music Ministry, health care or social work professions.

The recommended fee structure from the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association for Spiritual Direction/Companioning is:

$135/hr
for small professional expenses budgets or small towns

$150/hr
for medium budgets or medium sized towns or cities

$165/hr
for large budgets or larger urban settings/cities

I wish for you Love, Peace and a sense of profound belonging in your journey through this life.
Hope to meet and talk with you soon.

The Reverend Allison Barrett

Loving the World with Words

Reverend Allison Barrett

B.A., M.Div., Certified Spiritual Director