As a supervisor, my role is to help you recognize your gifts and your growing edges. The goal of our time together is two-fold: that you become more skilled and present for those you serve and that you yourself overflow with greater freedom, joy and compassion.
My approach to supervision is both consultative and transformative. We will explore together your successes and challenges in your guidance of others, noticing where and how you might adapt your practice.
Together we will also explore what is going on in your body, mind, heart and spirit as you tend to others, which will surface unresolved issues that impede your work. What we miss, resist, or overreact to in our service of others shines a light on the inner work we need to do to be more available to them (and ultimately to ourselves).
There’s a dance going on between you and Life/the Divine and those you serve. My role is to help you hear the beat of the music and dance with greater skill, flow, and unfettered joy.
For more information and to set up and appointment, contact me.
FAQ’s
How is supervision different than spiritual guidance/spiritual direction?
There is overlap, however, the difference is one of emphasis and purpose. The focus in spiritual guidance/spiritual direction is to be present with your clients (directees) in service of their growth and healing.
The focus in supervision is on supporting spiritual directors/spiritual guides so that they can be more available and skillful with their clients. While the transformational emphasis means that we will explore where your unresolved issues might be impeding your work with others, most of the work on those unresolved issues will be done outside of our sessions with your own spiritual guide/director and in your own spiritual practice.
Will I need to bring a verbatim?
No, although I highly encourage it. Verbatims help focus supervision sessions on the heart of the matter, that is, where you noticed the movement of the Divine/Sacred in a session and how what you did may have supported or impeded that noticing.
However, verbatims are not required (unless, of course, you are required to use verbatims by a program you are taking). We can also work with creative expression (drawing, poetry, music), guided visualization, and several other reflection forms and modalities. We will discuss what works best for you to prepare for our time together.
What modalities we use will be in service of your growth as a human being and as a caring professional. What’s important is not the form used but the quality of deep listening and attentiveness that is fostered.
What do you mean by interfaith?
My work is non-sectarian. I am not interested in converting you to any particular faith tradition. You may attend a worship service weekly, have sworn off organized religion entirely, or have never found it relevant to begin with. Whether you are agnostic, Buddhist, Christian, secular, Muslim, Hindu, questioning, or a series of hyphens (Jewish with a twist of Buddhism and a hint of Sufism), this work is about what’s going on in your own spirit as you guide and support others on their life journey.
What if I am a Buddhist, recovering Catholic, Muslim, lesbian, agnostic, or just don’t know how to label myself?
Perfect! I love nothing more than to work with people who are passionate about noticing and syncing with the evolving, ever-unfolding, unstoppable Life Force within them, however they label or don’t label themselves.
What is your training to do this work?
My training includes completing a Masters of Divinity, a Masters of Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica, a spiritual direction practicum at the Seminary of the Southwest, and I have a certificate of completion from the Interfaith Spiritual Direction program and the Supervision of Spiritual Directors program at The Chaplaincy Institute. I have been providing professional spiritual guidance since 2005. I am also a member of Spiritual Directors International, which is the professional organization for spiritual guides/spiritual directors, and I have served on the staff of San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction program.
How long do sessions last?
After an initial phone interview to make sure we are a good fit to work together, the initial “get to know each other” session is generally 60 minutes. Subsequent sessions are 60 minutes.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, everything you say in a session is confidential. This is my commitment to you so that our work together can be honest, deep and not waste time beating around the bush. Confidentiality is also part of the professional code of ethics for supervision.
Where do sessions take place?
At my office in San Rafael, California, which is located in the center of town between Sun Valley and the West End, or at another office in San Francisco, California. Because hospitality is an important part of any therapy, hot tea is always available. For those who live outside the Bay Area or for whom it is more convenient, we can meet via Zoom or another online platform.
What is the cost?
The fee is $90 per session (sliding scale available for those with fixed/low incomes).
Most people come once a month. You, however, will decide the appropriate frequency. Discounts and packages are also available.
What have clients said about working with you?
“As a Spiritual Director for 25 years and staff for a Spiritual Direction training program for many years, I was humbled and grateful to discover a beautiful avenue for deepening my practice through Scott’s gentle, penetrating inquiry. Scott has a true gift of spiritual insight flowing from a wise and trusting heart.” Rev. Kay Collette, spiritual director
“I am so grateful to you Scott for your wise and loving support and encouragement through my spiritual direction training. I am learning how to listen deeply to another through experiencing the healing gift of your deep listening. Thank you for creating the sacred and safe space in which I can hear my heart speak and reconnect with my true and highest self. Thank you for helping me find the growing edged I didn’t even know where there, and holding a loving space for my spiritual unfolding.” Joanne, spiritual director
Check out my page of testimonials for more.
For more information and to set up an appointment, contact me.