1. What is spiritual direction?

2. I am looking for a spiritual director. Can Spiritual Directors International help me?

3. I'm seeking a spiritual director. What are good questions to consider in my search?

4. How do I become a member of Spiritual Directors International?

5. Does Spiritual Directors International endorse and certify its members?

6. How much does it cost to become a member of Spiritual Directors International?

7. What are the benefits of membership with Spiritual Directors International?

8. I've recently moved. How do I notify Spiritual Directors International of my address change?

9. I've recently moved. How do I become connected with other spiritual directors in my geographic area?

10. Does Spiritual Directors International offer liability insurance?

11. What are the legal ramifications around mandatory reporting and confidentiality?

12. I feel called to become a spiritual director. Where can I pursue spiritual director education?

13. How do I reach the members of Spiritual Directors International to tell them about my program, publication, etc.?

14. How do I participate in online member forums?

15. How do I update my member profile information online?

16. Where will I meet with my spiritual director? How much does it cost?

1. What is spiritual direction?

Thank you for this frequently asked question! Glad you inquired. Please click here for descriptions of spiritual direction from many faith traditions.

2. I am looking for a spiritual director. Can Spiritual Directors International help me?

Spiritual Directors International would be happy to suggest some ways for you to find a spiritual director. We are a network of more than 5,000 spiritual directors whose mission is to "tend the holy around the world and across traditions." The desire and search for the "right fit" is an important part of your process. In the Seek and Find Guide, you will find a global listing of spiritual directors who have self identified as being available for spiritual direction. Spiritual Directors International is a global learning community, and we offer this listing as a service for seekers.

If you would like to experience spiritual direction in a retreat setting, click here for a list of retreat centers that offer spiritual direction.

3. I'm seeking a spiritual director. What are good questions to consider in my search?

Each person seeking a spiritual director needs to take reasonable steps to verify the competency of any potential spiritual director. As a ministry in many nations and many faiths, spiritual direction does not have a centralized certifying body that verifies qualifications of spiritual directors since each faith tradition handles spiritual directors differently.

Spiritual Directors International recommends you ask each person you interview to become your spiritual director questions such as:

1. What enrichment, spiritual formation, and theological education do you have in spiritual direction?
2. What is your personal experience tending your own prayer, meditation and contemplative life?
3. What is your experience as a spiritual director? How many years? In what environments? What are you most interested in spiritually?
4. How do you continue your education and supervision for your spiritual direction ministry?
5. What ethical guidelines do you abide by, such as those published by Spiritual Directors International?
6. What type of engagement agreement will we establish to clarify roles and responsibilities in our spiritual direction relationship, such as the samples provided members of Spiritual Directors International?

4. How do I become a member of Spiritual Directors International?

There are three ways to activate membership with Spiritual Directors International:

• Click here to activate/renew membership in Spiritual Directors International using the website's secured server
• Call 425-455-1565; Office staff can assist you.
• E-mail Spiritual Directors International's office at membership@sdiworld.org to request a membership form. This can be e-mailed, filled out, then mailed/faxed to office.

5. My understanding is Spiritual Directors International is a membership organization for spiritual directors and those who are interested in spiritual direction.  Does Spiritual Directors International endorse and certify its members?

Please note that Spiritual Directors International does not endorse or recommend individual spiritual directors. Qualifications of Spiritual Directors International members and all information in the Seek and Find Guide is not verified by Spiritual Directors International.

Spiritual Directors International is not a certifying body, but rather a learning community that supports spiritual directors and those interested in spiritual direction with resources such as educational programs, publications, and contemplative practices.

6. How much does it cost to become a member of Spiritual Directors International?

• Cost for membership within United States is US$69.
• Cost for membership outside of United States is US$59.
• Cost for student membership is US$49 (proof of student status required).

• Membership in an interfaith & global learning community that welcomes students, discerners and everyone interested in the ministry of spiritual direction
• Presence: An International Journal for Spiritual Direction, published quarterly
• Connections, a newsletter for members published triennially
• Membership Moments, a monthly e-newsletter for members
• Listen: A Seeker’s Resource for Spiritual Direction, published quarterly
• Networking with members in a particular geographic region
• Annual conference about spiritual direction
• Annual Leadership Institute for the formation of spiritual directors
• Copy of Spiritual Directors International Guidelines for Ethical Conduct
• Participation in Web site Members Only Forums
• Resources on our expanding Web site
• Access to discounted liability insurance, if approved and desired

To become a member of Spiritual Directors International, click here.

8. I've recently moved. How do I notify Spiritual Directors International of my address change?

We greatly appreciate being notified of address changes. This allows members and subscribers to continue to receive Spiritual Directors International materials.

To notify us of address changes, please e-mail the office at membership@sdiworld.org or change your information online by clicking here!

If you have no access to e-mail, please call 425-455-1565.

9. I've recently moved. How do I become connected with other spiritual directors in my geographic area?

On moving to a new area, we certainly encourage you to browse the Seek and Find Guide to find other spiritual directors in your new geographic area.

10. Does Spiritual Directors International offer liability insurance?

Spiritual Directors International does not provide or underwrite liability insurance nor does Spiritual Directors International have an opinion as to whether liability insurance is needed or appropriate for individual members. However, as an educational not-for-profit that supports the global ministry of spiritual direction, Spiritual Directors International provides information about liability insurance for those members who request it. Each spiritual director needs to determine with the guidance of his or her own legal and insurance advisors whether liability insurance is advisable.

For Members Only, there is more information about how to access discounted liability insurance for spiritual directors. Click here for more information.

11. What are the legal ramifications around mandatory reporting and confidentiality?

12. I feel called to become a spiritual director. Where can I pursue spiritual director education?  

Click here to find spiritual director enrichment, formation and training programs.

13. How do I reach the members of Spiritual Directors International to tell them about my program, publication, etc.?  

There are many ways you can advertise your information:

• Place an ad in Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction. Presence is read by more than 5,000 people interested in aspects of spiritual direction, including all members of Spiritual Directors International. Click here for more information.
• Place an ad in Connections. Connections is the official newsletter sent to all members of Spiritual Directors International. Click here for more information.
• Place an ad in Listen: A Seeker’s Resource for Spiritual Direction. You can place a display ad or a line listing in the “Global Events” or “Global Resources” sections. Listen is published quarterly, and distributed to more than 10,000 seekers and members of Spiritual Directors International. Click here for more information.
• Place a classified ad in Membership Moments. Membership Moments is an e-mailed update sent monthly to all members of Spiritual Directors International. Click here for more information.

15. How do I update my member profile information online?

Here’s how:

Go online the Spiritual Directors International  Web site at www.sdiworld.org

1.     Click the “LOGIN” tab which is located at the very top of the screen near the middle of the page.

2.     Enter the monthly password you receive in Membership Moments. The password for February is “INSERT PASSWORD” 

3.     Choose the “MEMBERSHIP” tab located under the main picture or on the index to your left.

4.     Click the “MEMBERS ONLY” option. 

5.     Click on “PROFILE UPDATE” located on the left hand side of the screen.

It’s that easy! While there make sure to update your contact details, the contexts where you provide spiritual direction or guidance, and other interesting information!

16.    Where will I meet with my spiritual director? How much does it cost?

You and your spiritual director will agree on a convenient location and time for meeting, usually once a month for an hour. Many spiritual directors request a fee, some receive your free-will donation, and others offer their time with no expectation of anything in return.

Generally payments to spiritual directors fall into three categories:

1. Spiritual direction is offered as a part of the paid staff work of the spiritual director and fee or donation is made to the organization that hired the spiritual director
2. Spiritual direction is paid as a fee for service or by a donation directly to the spiritual director
3. Spiritual director asks that payments or donation be made to a local charity or organization.

Each spiritual director has unique circumstances and many offer sliding payment scales. When you interview prospective spiritual directors, ask them about how they handle fees.

E-mail Address

To cut down on spam, we have provided an image of the office e-mail address.  You will need to type the address into your e-mail program.