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Very often I think we refer someone “out” of The Rev. Dr. Shannon Michael
spiritual direction to a therapist or other relationship Pater, M.A.R., M.Div., Psy.D.
because we are afraid of our own trauma that is | E-RYT 500, offers trauma-
being activated. informed spiritual direction,
supervision, and an Apprenticeship
I want to posit a supposition for your consideration: in a Trauma-Informed Scope of
spiritual direction/companionship can be and very Practice. His long pilgrimage to
often is an adequate, helpful, and transformative India turned out to be nearly
response to trauma. Whatever else trauma is, it is three years, 21 months of which was spent as an
a spiritual wound. Spiritual direction might be what international COVID refugee in a small mountain
the directee needs and you might very well be the village in the Himalayas with the Dalai Lama.
person to provide it to them. He led the workshop “Trauma-Informed Spiritual
I’m making my supposition on several Direction: Restoring the Somatically Sacred” at
presuppositions. First, that you have received the SDI Conference Engage 2022 in Santa Fe.
training that included supervised practicums in To contact him or for more information about his
spiritual direction. Second, that you regularly practice visit noticethejourney.com.
receive spiritual direction/companionship. And,
third, that you regularly receive qualified individual
supervision.

I have and do refer. But I do not do so in my
moments of terror and feeling inadequate –
especially after a directee has become highly
dysregulated (e.g. moments of rage, weeping,
desolation, or other “big” feelings). I sometimes
have “safety agreements” with a directee who
agrees to call for help, 9-1-1, if need be, if they Welcome to Living Well
believe they will do harm to themselves or others.
I also regularly, formally and informally, check- in
with directees to see if they are receiving from our
relationship what they hope and need. Referrals
are sometimes raised by them in this context and
those are the safest moments to explore options.
Most importantly, I take my fears to spiritual
direction for my own health, growth, and
restoration and I support my scope of practice Activate
with supervision and continuing education. I need
support in supporting others; my scope of practice
needs support in order to be sustainable. Self-Encounter

My friend-turned-directee eventually sought the and discover more of …
medical care and therapy he needed to explore
and restore his devastated life. It is very unlikely ➢ who you are
that he would have done so if I had pushed him ➢ who you could become
there. I had to walk with him into the scariest place
of his life and mine.

Spiritual direction is like a pilgrimage: you never www.virginiawatersselfcare.com.au
know what will happen when you set out; but that
unknowing is part of the journey.

Connections | Vol. 31.3 www.sdicompanions.org Page 7