God is always active in your ordinary life, and everything in your life - painful, challenging, joyful - is raw material for your soul to be continually formed into who God created you to be.  God is inviting you into an awareness of your belovedness and towards a loving response for the sake of others. 

That's a great question.  The right fit varies with your different seasons of life and faith.  A director's temperment, gender, life experiences or denominational backgrounds may be important.  Check out my 'about jeanine' page to learn more.

You want to feel safe and your director should not have a specific agenda for your life.  A good director asks good guestions and gives you time to process through exploring and discerning.  It is appropriate to switch directors if you do not feel a connection.  Trust your instincts.

In my own practice I will check in after our 30 minute initial meeting, again after 3 or 4 months, and then annually to see if meeting is still beneficial.  

We will begin with a 30 minute phone call, where you can share what has led you to spiritual direction, and I can answer questions about myself and my practice.

 Afterwards, if you discern it is good to begin meeting, we will set up a time to meet over zoom.  I invite you to bring to our sessions your reflections on your  own spiritual life, as well as any longings, struggles, or questions that have come up through events and relationships.  God is with you in all of life, so come ready to talk about whatever has been stirring in you.

Your sessions are confidential. However, as a mandatory reporter, if I learn of child abuse, elder abuse or the potential of physical harm to yourself or others, I will seek the proper authorities for your safety and the safety of others.  

I abide by the Guidelines for Ethical Conduct of Spiritual Directors International.  You should always feel safe.  Therefore, you are encouraged to provide feedback to me, if something I have done is concerning, or you may feel more comfortable connecting with Soul Formation for further support and advice.   

Typically, spiritual direction meetings are for once a month for about an hour.  

We will connect via Zoom.

 I am available after 4 pm, Sunday thru Thursday.  I am also available at 6 am, which may be convenient to those living in a different time zone than myself. (Times listed correspond to California, which is in Pacific Time, UTC-8).  When you contact me we will set up a time that works for both  of us.

I take donations.  Some thoughts to consider when you decide how much to give.  

• A typical spiritual direction appointment might cost between $50-$100.  
• However, financial need should never be a barrier for anyone in connecting to God.  You should always feel welcome to make an appointment.  Some pay much less, and yet others are able to give more.
• I have learned in my decades of ministry that when people pay something, even the small cost of a coffee, they value you it more, and invest in it more, so I recommend some contribution.
• They money goes towards supervision, on-going training and professional organization memberships, as well as my time given away from my family and other work.
• I wont ask you to donate, but you will notice a link in the signature of my e-mail when we communicate.

@JeanineSmith76

Email: smithjeanine76@gmail.com 

Text message: 1-626-222-2890