
Welcome! I'm Scott McRae. Here's an introduction to my Spiritual Direction Learning Lab, supporting new and experienced Spiritual Directors.
0:00 Welcome
0:43 My background
2:18 Some of what I've learned
3:56 How we can work together
I share my journey of becoming a spiritual director, maybe resonates with your own...
0:00 My passion for profound, intimate conversation
2:58 How I overcame doubts about starting a practice
5:19 How I became a serious, heart-centered businessperson and revitalized my practice
7:47 4 key essentials for a Spiritual Direction practice
Each spiritual director has a voice that is real and honest. We often fear that being real can bring harm to our clients. Finding your secret sass is about finding a using your real self in spiritual direction. The sassy part is where you tell the truth is a fun, friendly and caring way.
0:00 Moving from cautiousness to courage
2:10 Resilience: the rarity of harming clients, the harm of being timid
5:21 Finding your boldness: listening to and speaking from your heart
7:28 Deep calling to deep: truth-telling and fun
Here are my answers to the 4 most common questions I receive from fellow spiritual directors. I speak to some almost universal insecurities, how our work differs from therapy, and how to think about growing your client numbers without compromising your values.
0:00 Introducing the 4 questions
1:30 Question 1: "What if I'm not very good at this?"
1:43 Some helpful perspective: 4 phases of developing a a spiritual direction practice
5:52 Recognizing our ego's insecurity and trusting in our essence and the Divine
7:30 Question 2: "What if my sessions are too dull?"
7:59 Some helpful perspective: The Awareness Continuum
10:50 Example from one of my client sessions
13:53 Some helpful perspective: Where to nudge a conversation
18:40 Staying present with ourselves and the Divine
22:03 Question 3: "What's the difference between therapy and spiritual direction?"
22:49 Some helpful perspective: Different kinds of care
26:52 Question 4: "How do I get more clients?"
27:21 Some helpful perspective: the ego-insecure way to look at it
28:50 The better way to look at it
If you’re a spiritual director, guide, coach, or other practitioner, whether new or experienced - this course is for you. It’s designed to help you begin or boost your sacred work so your practice can be both deeply spiritual and genuinely successful.
I’m Scott McRae with the Spiritual Direction Learning Lab. I’ve spent more than 25 years as a spiritual director, logging thousands of hours with clients and mentoring fellow practitioners like you. Over that time, I’ve learned which tools truly make a difference when it comes to launching, growing, or reinvigorating a thriving spiritual direction practice.
In this course, we’ll:
Return to your vocational core - your why, who, and what - to align your business with your deeper calling.
Tackle the intimidating parts of business development, from practical challenges (like staying organized and sustainable) to the inner barriers (like imposter syndrome).
Explore real alternatives to the tired stereotypes about running a “successful business.” You don’t have to compromise your values to grow. In fact, the more intentional you are, the more alive and Spirit-filled your work becomes.
Along the way, I share more of my own experience. And by the end of this course, you’ll be more grounded, clear, and confident in the sacred work you offer the world.
Let’s dive in, to Business Success for Spiritual Directors, Guides & Coaches.