In person in Tucson
For people in the Tucson area who would like to sit down together, away from the screen.
My office is in my home. I will share the address once we set an appointment.
Explore meeting in TucsonYou don’t have to figure it out alone.
Spiritual direction is time to slow down and check in on your life. What sustains you? What is that voice inside trying to tell you? Together, we work with spirit — whatever that means to you — to help you live a better life.
Calling forth the whole you.
What is
spiritual direction?
You may also hear it called
spiritual companionship.
Read the transcript
From YouTube’s automatic captions; not yet checked against the audio.
Hi, I'm Andrew. Before I introduce myself, here's an impromptu about 8 second stress break. I'm going to breathe in for three, hold for three, and breathe out for four. Join me.
Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Two. Three. Four. Do you feel that?
That little bit of relaxation and centering. That's where I like to start from.
So, I'm an interfaith chaplain who offers spiritual companionship. Some people call it spiritual direction. You can call it whatever you like. Just know that I'm not here to direct you at anything. Think of me more like a guide who comes along with you on your journey.
If you've never experienced this kind of work, it's not therapy, but it can look a lot like that at first. Two people meet, usually in an office or over video, and they spend about an hour discussing whatever issues are present in the client's life. That's where the similarity usually ends, though.
For example, there's a tried andrue tradition in spiritual direction of having three chairs present. So you the spiritual director in the empty chair and that empty chair is really is for God or for your higher power or for mystery the universe what what matters is whatever source of wisdom you look to. I'm not here to tell you what or who to believe in. I'm here to help you uncover the wisdom you already have access to and in your faith terms not mine.
Although I don't tell you what to do, I do listen and I ask questions and I follow my natural curiosity to help us both discover what really matters most to you. Sometimes I reflect back to you what I'm seeing. Sometimes I might ask you to clarify something. I value questions at least as much as and usually more than answers because questions feel real. They're authentic.
Questions are how our lives actually unfold. Right? Things are always changing. We're constantly facing something that's unknown or a little bit different than it was before. And I have yet to meet anyone who has it all figured out. Even though some of us like to pretend that we do from time to time.
You don't have to worry about impressing me or figuring out what I would like to hear. I'm more interested in what's really going on with you.
What are the scariest or mysterious places in your heart, in your spirit? Why are they scary? What does your faith or spirituality or understanding of the universe have to teach you about the best choice to make in any given situation?
I strive to live a life that on the outside looks a lot like my values. Although I don't always get it perfect, I do think that's important. And so I bring that framework to my practice as well.
I love to learn what you hold sacred and then together use that as a lens that will lift up and that you can examine anything in your life from the most devastating or challenging crisis to more big picture questions like what direction should I take?
The most exciting part to me is that lens is a tool that's yours for a lifetime and you can continue to keep polishing it and strengthening it.
A little bit about me. Although I'm not Christian, I have a deep love for Christianity and its teachings. Along with Christianity, I have studied and have a deep love and respect for other world religions and traditions like Judaism and Islam and Hinduism, Buddhism, Earth-based traditions to name a few.
I love to learn and read and I believe that everyone I meet is both a student and a teacher.
Although I'm not a fit for everyone, if you are curious to learn more, please reach out. I would be more than happy to chat.
If you’ve never experienced spiritual direction, it’s not therapy, but it can look like it at first. Two people meet, usually in an office or by video conference, and they spend about an hour discussing whatever issues are present in the client’s life. That’s where the similarity ends, though.
What matters is the source of wisdom that’s meaningful to you. Whether it be G-d, or Spirit, your Inner/Higher Self, the Universe, etc. we work that inner voice to uncover what you hold sacred. We then use that as a powerful tool — a lens through which you can look at any problem or question.
Spiritual direction is a great container to work with questions like:
- What are the scariest or most unknown places in your life or in your heart?
- Why are they scary?
- What does your faith or spirituality or understanding of the universe have to teach you about the best choice to make?
This lens is something you will always have access to. Hopefully you continue to polish and improve it for a lifetime.
That’s the work of spiritual direction.
Request a free introductory conversation
Half an hour, no charge.
Is spiritual
direction for me?
You can bring a religious tradition, a spiritual framework, or no religious background whatsoever. I have accompanied devout Christians, Buddhists, folks who are spiritual but not religious, humanists, and atheists. If you’re interested in doing this work on yourself, you can absolutely use spiritual direction.
Explore ways to meetAre you reconsidering what you believe?
Your faith or worldview might be shifting. There is room to explore what you want to keep, question, or let go of.
Are you going through change, grief, or loss?
Change is hard. Grief can be heavy. Dealing with loss can make you question everything. Use spiritual direction to help navigate.
Do you want to cultivate more depth in your everyday life?
Curiosity about connection or the sacred can be a starting point to beautiful, rich exploration. Plenty of people use spiritual direction as a regular practice whether or not they’re in crisis.
Two ways to meet.
The structure is the same.
Choose how you’d like to work together. We can always change it if needed.
Practical details
- A first conversation
- I like to meet for a half hour just to chat (no charge). I’ll let you know if I can help, and you can decide whether it feels like a good fit.
- Ongoing sessions
$150 per session. A sliding scale based on your situation is available. Just ask.
Sessions are 1 hour, and we meet at least monthly — more often if you need more support.
I’m Andrew Chirch.
Interfaith minister & chaplain.
My path has taken me through military service, finance, nonprofit leadership, and seminary-trained chaplaincy.
I draw from more than one tradition. In our conversations, your beliefs, doubts, and lived experience are the starting point. You can use the language that feels true to you, including when that language is still changing.
Our introductory conversation is a chance to talk about what you are looking for and whether my approach fits.
Let’s start with a conversationA few things you
may be wondering.
Is this a Christian practice?
Although spiritual direction has deep roots in the Christian tradition, my practice is Interfaith, which means, “spirituality informed by many traditions.” I draw from Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and other traditions and I welcome your own understanding of spirituality. You do not need to adopt a particular belief system to work with me.
Do I need to be religious?
No particular religious belief is needed. You can bring faith, uncertainty, a changing relationship with religion, or questions you are still finding words for.
What would we talk about?
You set the starting point. It could be a transition, a question of meaning, a sense of longing, or something in everyday life that asks for your attention. You do not need to prepare a polished story.
Is this therapy or clinical treatment?
No. Spiritual direction is not psychotherapy, diagnosis, or clinical treatment. It is spiritual conversation and reflection. Though your work here will likely inform the other areas of your life, it should not replace therapy or clinical support.
What if I’m not sure this is for me?
That is a reasonable place to begin. If you’re curious, reach out. When we talk for the first time, people often know right away if they want to try a few sessions. You can of course change your mind at any time.
Begin with
a conversation.
You don’t need to know where this will lead.
We can start with what brings you here.
I will respond as soon as possible, usually in less than one business day.
Prefer email? awchirch@prolificate.com
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I delete inquiries that do not lead to an ongoing relationship 90 days after the last exchange. For ongoing clients, we agree separately how to handle correspondence.
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Questions
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