I’m not looking to be converted. How does your religious background affect how you would work with me?

That’s good! I’m not looking to convert anyone either. Our conversations are led by you, the client. I don’t come with any religious or spiritual agendas. I have a background in world religions (which covered contemplative practices in Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism) from the Harvard Divinity School, I draw on these traditions only if they are relevant to our conversation, but never in a context of wanting to change your beliefs.

What are your qualifications to do this work?

I have Master in Theological Studies from the Harvard Divinity School, where I studied World Religions. Though my focus was on Buddhism, I also studied Hinduism and contemplative Christian practices and history. This summer, I am completing a certificate program from the Phoenix School of Spiritual Direction, which enhances my theological studies, and I’m also in the Certificate program for psychedelic-assisted therapy at Naropa University (graduation: Dec 2024).

I’ve spent many years doing social justice work, whether raising the visibility of underrepresented artists, fostering a new generation of arts administrators, or supporting marginalized voices in public discourse. I’ve created communities in nonprofit, academic, and corporate settings. In addition, I have an MFA and prior studied western classics, including formative religious texts, at St. John’s College.

Do I have to have a spiritual practice or be religious to work with you?

This work is most meaningful when clients actively engage between sessions with the questions and ideas that come up in our conversations. This may be through meditation, being in nature, prayer, or a host of other ways where you find a deeper connection to yourself and the sacred, however you define that. If you don’t have a practice, we can work together to help create one that resonates and serves you authentically.

I’m an atheist, but I still want to understand my purpose in life. How would this work benefit me?

Understanding one’s purpose and meaning are deeply profound questions that are perfectly suited to the non-directive methodology I use. Through this deep listening and questioning, we would explore these topics without the need for using religious labels or containers.

I’ve been harmed by religious institutions in the past. How can this work help me?

So many of us carry injury, if not trauma, caused by others, including religious institutions. By investigating the sources of one’s pain (if that is comfortable to you) and the sources that currently give you life, spiritual facilitation can offer a brave space to deconstruct and find ways to let go of harmful beliefs, and then to reconstruct more life-affirming ones. Everyone is truly deserving of experiencing life as whole, lovable, and loved humans, and this often requires careful consideration of what is serving us in that endeavor. I consider this some of the most important and sacred work, and am honored to work with those who want to do this introspection.

My friends and I want to deepen our spirituality together. Do we all have to have the same beliefs?

Not at all. Working as a group is a way of exploring and experiencing our own, unique relationship to the spiritual in a loving, supportive community. What matters is that everyone in the group understands the work is about holding that sacred space for each other, and not about being judgmental, offering advice, or “trying to fix” each other.

My organization is facing some challenges and we need to rethink some core ways we’re doing business. How can spiritual work help us?

The principles with which I work, namely deep listening and a non-directive method of questioning, are deeply aligned with this kind of organizational discernment. Listening to how an organization’s board or other group of senior leaders outline issues and options, I bring a non-partisan, open viewpoint, and my questions to the group are aimed at uncovering different ways of resolving impasses.

Do you facilitate psychedelic journeys?

At this time, I’m not able to legally facilitate journeys, as the FDA has only approved ketamine for the treatment of depression. While I cannot expressly condone the use of other psychedelics, I believe that integration is key to transforming experiences induced by all of these medicines into meaningful and lasting positive changes in ones life. Integration involves non-directive, affirming contemplative conversation, as well as a range of other modalities including (but not limited to) meditation, journaling, drawing, and somatic work.

I’d like to work with you, but I’m on a limited budget. Do you do pro bono work?

I deeply believe in the importance of deepening one’s relationship to the sacred, however you may define it. I also don’t want finances to be a barrier to this care. While I don’t do pro bono work, I do offer a sliding scale based on what feels financially appropriate to clients in need.