SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS: Spiritual direction is a special form of counseling which focuses on spiritual concerns and issues that may be paramount at particular junctures in people's lives. While spiritual direction is similar to the pastoral counseling one might receive from a traditional minister, priest, or rabbi, it incorporates interfaith, spiritual, and metaphysical perspectives.
Times of questioning and doubt may be triggered by a crisis such as a loss or bereavement that has shaken people's faith. They may also occur at a crossroads when life is taking a new direction that may not be sanctioned or sufficiently explained by one's childhood religious training.
For instance, people in the midst of a spiritual awakening may experience psychic perceptions, visits from deceased loved ones, or past life memories, but their church views such experiences with suspicion or condemnation. Gay or lesbian people may have difficulty reconciling their spirituality with traditional religious prohibitions against their lifestyle. Someone who has suffered a devastating relationship breakup, illness, or career disaster may feel angry with God and struggle to understand why such things happen.
Dr. Joyce Liechenstein does spiritual direction,
often on a short-term basis, with people who want to
find answers to their spiritual questions. In this work,
she draws on over 35 years of ministry in diverse
churches and seminaries. These sessions may also
incorporate some of the same healing tools as in her
regular counseling practice, such as meditation,
guided imagery, and flower remedies.
MINISTERIAL SUPERVISION: Dr. Liechenstein provides interfaith-oriented supervision for ordained ministers and for ministers-in-training for the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and other programs. Students may need to explore in depth some of the issues their training is raising, and those who have already been ordained may find it helpful to have guidance as they begin their ministry.
MEDITATION GROUPS: Joyce has led meditation groups for many years, drawing on a variety of approaches and traditions she has studied. Some groups have been ongoing, others have been special events like seminars for New York's Learning Annex, The Discovery Center, and Project COPE.
Her classes and lectures for the One Spirit Interfaith Seminary and various conferences regularly include meditations for centering and for processing the learning that is occurring. She also teaches meditation privately to individuals.
CONTACT INFORMATION: To schedule a session with Joyce, write to her at JLIECHENSTEIN@webtv.net or call her at 212-673-4427.
JOYCE'S SERVICES:
