Guidelines: Useful tools for Spiritual Directors

Attending as best we can to the physical needs of our directees is one of the ways that we as directors practice hospitality.  In particular, when companioning those who have been through some kind of disaster that has left its mark on them through a trauma response, if the body is not cared for, it will be extremely difficult to address spiritual needs.  This is why it is important to be aware of what kind of self and professional care the bodies of our clients are receiving post-traumatic experiences (medical, physical therapy, psychoanalysis, sleep, nutrition, etc.). And while it is beyond our purview to treat the physical needs of our directees, there are certain ways we can be sure to be kind to their bodies and needs that may arise during direction.

The following is a list of suggestions for items that help care for our directees’ bodies as we continue to be attuned to them and their needs, seeking holistic healing.

Most of these items can fit all together in a small tote bag.  So even if you do not have a permanent space to stock, or find yourself displaced or deployed and providing spiritual care, you can still have tools ready to use to help in the journey.

Use this list to inspire and adapt your own tool kit that makes sense for your ministry:

• Water for drinking
• Tissues
• A cozy blanket
• A candle and matches or battery powered candle
• Paper
• Writing utensils, colored pencils, and/or crayons
• Pre-printed coloring pages
• A curated set of photos for Visio Divina
• Mild essential oils or other air purifiers
• A portable sand tray or labyrinth
• Sticky notes
• Scriptures or Psalms

• ICTG Spiritual Formation Resource Guide

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Erin Jantz received her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation.  She also holds a B.A. in developmental psychology and has furthered her education with trainings in trauma care from Boston University and intensives with Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. She has been practicing spiritual direction since 2012, helped to author ICTG's Spiritual Formation Resource Guide, and also teaches and speaks on a variety of spiritual formation topics.  Erin lives in Southern California with her husband and their four marvelous children.