Hello! I’m Tess.
I was first drawn to spiritual direction during a season of asking big, often unsettling questions about my faith. Though I still felt connected to God, I longed for a space where I could be honest about my doubts and expanding desires outside of institutional settings. Working with a spiritual director gave me that space — a sacred pause to listen inward, reflect freely, and experience Divine presence in new ways.
Separately, my path to Reiki began during a season of chronic illness. Navigating that difficult time, I found myself needing profound support for both my physical and emotional body. Reiki provided a gentle, restorative space that allowed my body to recover its natural ability to heal and tend to my own capacity.
These two distinct experiences planted the seeds for the work I now do. Today, as both a spiritual director and a Reiki practitioner, I hold space for the beautiful, non-linear unfolding of your inner life. Whether through the deep listening of spiritual direction or the gentle, balancing energy of Reiki, my goal is to help you notice what’s stirring beneath the surface, release stress, and find rest. Whether you're feeling anchored or adrift, navigating physical symptoms, or simply questioning and curious — you're welcome here.
My Approach
01
Hold space with reverence — grounded, and free of advice or personal agenda.
02
Use metaphor, imagery, and everyday sacredness to help you connect with the Divine
03
Honor your unique experience and spiritual expression, and will ask during our intake session which names for the Divine feel most true to you
04
Weave insights from neuroscience, the nervous system, and interoception into my spiritual direction practice.
05
Offer deep listening and open-ended questions that gently center the sacred in your unfolding story.
My Training and Qualifications
Education
Completed a two-year certificate in Spiritual Direction at Christos Center for Spiritual Formation.
Interspiritual Wisdom Certification through Spiritual Guidance Training Institute
Hold a Master of Science in Communication Disorders and am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, with a deep sensitivity to voice, silence, and authentic expression
Training
Training in Internal Family Systems as a way to practice compassion-based spiritual direction
Training in BioSpiritual Focusing and other body-based approaches to spirituality
Completed Holy Fire® Reiki Level I and II Training with Jennifer Shaw
Ministry
Served for several years in marriage and women’s ministry, offering care, teaching, and companionship in community
Ongoing learning
A current student in the Diamond Approach, a path that gently integrates psychological and spiritual growth