Looking into the Well: Supervision of Spiritual Directors

by Maureen Conroy R.S.M., George Aschenbrenner, Maureen Conroy

Overview

Maureen Conroy, author of the best-selling The Discerning Heart, offers another pioneering effort in the arena of spiritual direction and pastoral counseling. Looking into the Well: Supervision of Spiritual Directors is the first book-length treatment of the supervision and development of spiritual directors. Looking into the Well is specifically written with spiritual directors, supervisors, and educators of spiritual directors in mind. Proper supervision, the author declares, is necessary for the development of skilled spiritual directors. By providing examples of learning experiences for spiritual directors, supervisors, and training teams, Looking into the Well offers an experiential approach to the art and science of spiritual direction that can be used for personal reflection as well as for group discussion and role-playing. In addition, the book offers prayer and reflection experiences, case studies, evaluation methods, and other experiences for group and individual use. Examples of verbatim conversations between directors and supervisors are also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780829408270
Publisher:	Loyola Press
Publication date:	04/28/1995
Pages:	324
Sales rank:	269,352
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.73(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

Maureen Conroy, a Sister of Mercy, has educated and supervised spiritual directors for many years at the Upper Room Spiritual Center, New Jersey and Creighton University, Nebraska. She is the co-ordinator of two developmental programs for spiritual directors at the Upper Room and is also engaged in spiritual direction, retreat work, and adult education. Maureen holds a M. Div. Degree Seminary, a D. Min. degree from St. Mary's University, Baltimore.

Table of Contents

	Foreword	xiii
	Introduction	xvii
Part I	Supervision of Spiritual Directors: Various Dimensions	1
1.	Self-Awareness and Interior Freedom: Assumptions and Purposes in the Supervision of Spiritual Directors	3
2.	Direction Experiences to Bring to Supervision: The Content of Supervision	19
3.	A Contemplative Presence and an Evocative Approach: The Process of Supervision	39
4.	Concretizing the Process: The Skills of Supervision	51
5.	Exemplifying the Purposes, Content, Process, and Skills: Three Case Studies	69
6.	A Shared Contemplative Experience: Peer Group Supervision of Spiritual Directors	91
7.	Overwhelmed by a Directee's Depression: A Peer Group Supervision Case Study	107
8.	Developing a Discerning Heart: Seven Phases of the Supervision Experience	121
9.	The Supervisor's Discerning Heart: Reflecting on the Supervision Experience	135
10.	Supervision As a Learning Experience	149
	Conclusion	161
Part II	Learning Experiences	165
	Learning Experiences: An Overview	167
	Learning Experiences 1-15: For Spiritual Directors, Supervisors, and Developmental Programs	169
1.	Spiritual Direction Log	171
2.	Discernment in the Spiritual Director	173
3.	Direction Experiences to Bring to Supervision	179
4.	Praying with Difficult Direction Experiences	185
5.	Verbatim Case Study	189
6.	Two Examples of Verbatim Case Studies	195
7.	Three Reflections on Supervision	205
8.	Supervision Log	211
9.	Praying with Supervision Experiences	213
10.	Awareness Examen for Supervisors	215
11.	Periodic Evaluation of Supervision Experience	219
12.	Two Models of Peer Group Supervision	221
13.	Case Studies for Role-Play and Discussion	225
14.	Practicing the Various Aspects of Supervision	229
15.	A Four-Week Supervision Seminar	233
	Learning Experiences 16-21: Developmental Programs for Spiritual Directors	237
16.	Specific Recommendations for Developmental Programs	239
17.	Staff Reflection on Guiding Principles	243
18.	Supervision during a Developmental Program	245
19.	Staff Evaluation of Supervision Experience	247
20.	Directee's Evaluation of Spiritual Direction	249
21.	Evaluation Instruments for Spiritual Directors	253
	Appendixes
1.	Guiding Principles for Developmental Programs	263
2.	Ongoing Associate Program for the Development of Spiritual Directors	267
3.	Retreat Associate Program for the Development of Spiritual Directors	279
	Suggested Reading	283
	Index	285