Anyone giving spiritual direction should also be in supervision. This either means meeting with a supervisor one-to-one, or taking part in a supervision group.

In supervision, a director is able to reflect on work with their directees. This is an invaluable source of insight.

Like spiritual direction, supervision is confidential. This means that the identity of a directee is not revealed in supervision, and there is no sense of supervision being “spiritual direction by remote control”. But, if a director is going to enable a directee to change in their experience of God, then they too must be willing to change and explore. Supervision helps that exploration — as well as picking up times when a director might be mission something, or straying out of their competence.

Finding supervision

Many spiritual direction courses include ways of enabling those who have completed the course to find supervision. Many experienced spiritual directors also offer supervision. The Association of Pastoral Supervision and Education brings together people who are involved in supervision in church-related contexts, including spiritual direction. Some therapists also offer supervision for spiritual directors.