Looking into the Well: Supervision of Spiritual Directors

by Maureen Conroy R.S.M.

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 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.

Genres: Spirituality

324 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 1995

Reviews

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for class. It is okay. There are things I really like about her. But she is repetitive. And part of what I am not fond of is that the orientation is so strongly toward a clinical training method for spiritual direction I think it encourages an orientation turning spiritual direction into a form of counseling.

On the other hand, we are in a post-Freud world. So there are things that I think do just have to be covered. We do need to pay attention to inappropriate attractions or jealousy, etc.

I also think it could have been reorganized or split so that those that are receiving spiritual direction supervision are not reading the supervision sections. It just seems oddly designed.

[Walter Wittwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that would only be interesting to Spiritual Directors or those interested in being one. It’s a very practical book, really a textbook, on how to supervise Spiritual Directors. The first half of the book looks at several dimensions of the practice of supervision, such as, the importance of self-awareness, contemplativeness, the evocative approach, peer group supervision, and developing a discerning heart. The second half of the book describes learning practices, case studies, examples of a spiritual direction, and supervision log, verbatims, models for peer group supervision, seminars, and role plays, and evaluation and examen.

[Adam Carnehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the standard work on supervision for spiritual directors. In it, Conroy covers all conceivable topics related to the practice, study, and supervision of spiritual directors, as well as the way to train directors and supervisors, conduct workshops, establish peer groups, and establish direction programs at the academic level.

[Deb Handrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A textbook I will constantly read and reference within my vocation for years to come.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent resource for spiritual directors as well as those who supervise them. I understand the purpose and process of supervision much better having read it. Extremely thorough. Not hard to read a second time.

[Elizabeth Rahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the big Catholic March for Life 2019 conflict happened...I helped give an in class presentation about it. I used Fr. James Martin and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas as sources covering their side of the conversation.

[Darceylaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful. A little repetitive, but anyone involved in supervision should have this on their shelf.