Spiritual Direction
All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is the practice of being in companionship with another person as they seek to deepen their relationship with the divine or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. Those seeking spiritual direction often share stories and questions about their encounters with the divine or their spiritual practices.
Overview of Topics Discussed
Foundations of Spiritual Direction
The Art of Listening and Discernment
Understanding Different Spiritual Traditions
Ethics and Responsibilities in Spiritual Direction
Creating Sacred Space
Self-Knowledge
Personality Types
Methods of Connecting to Spirit
Meet the All Souls School of Spiritual Direction Founders and Teachers
Rev. Don Chatfield, PhD, MDiv — Don is an interfaith minister with a history of leading multiple spiritual communities and nonprofit organizations. Along with his wife Karen, he launched a School of Spiritual Direction while serving as the Executive Director of the Osage Forest of Peace in Oklahoma.
Karen Chatfield, MA, RP — Karen worked for 23 years at a nonprofit behavioral health agency in Tucson, AZ, and is best known for her work in organizational cultural competence. Karen is a Reiki Master and a Student of the principles of Religious Science and the Science of the Mind philosophy.
Only One of Seven Interfaith Schools of Spiritual Direction in the U.S.
The All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction is only one of seven interfaith schools of spiritual direction in the United States (as of 2024). The All Souls program was developed by Don and Karen utilizing the programs of two existing interfaith schools of spiritual direction as a foundation. The directors of the All Souls school and the other interfaith schools of spiritual direction are members of a consortium and meet quarterly to share curriculum update ideas, and newly found relevant books. This regular review and exchange of information is part of how the All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction stays current and is refined.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the program? The All Souls School of Spiritual Direction is a two-year program. Classes meet one Saturday per month from September through June, with a two-day non-residential retreat in January of each year.
What are the requirements for enrolling in the School of Spiritual Direction? No previous training is required. There is an application and interview process for those who wish to enroll. Applications are generally accepted January through June.
What is the program format? The program is held in-person on the campus of All Souls Interfaith Gathering. There is currently no option for attending remotely.
Thinking of Enrolling? Here’s what students have to say:
“Along with wanting to expand my limited knowledge of diverse religions and learn about spiritual direction, I sought to grow my own spirituality while making deep connections with classmates.” — Martha F.
“When I first heard about the All Souls School of Spiritual Direction, I knew immediately it was for me. I wanted a program that could help me along my own path of spiritual development and also provide spiritual tools for helping others grapple with life’s big questions.” — Jill I.
“With a background as a Career & Life Coach, I saw the experiential curriculum as a way to deepen my own connection to the Divine in order to better serve my clients and my own needs as well.” — Jim K.
Testimonials from Graduates:
"As a certified Integral Coach and Executive Coach, the program helped deepen my own spiritual grounding and practice and complemented my coaching skills. I also enjoyed learning and growing in community." — Nina R.
“The All Souls School of Spiritual Direction was a rich two years of self-exploration, collaboration with others, and discovery of creativity as a spiritual practice; an important step toward what’s next.” — Lisa B., Spiritual Intuitive
"The School of Spiritual Direction offered me a chance to expand my tool belt in ways I had yet to before. The wisdom I gained from our leaders and others in the program was a gift I am very grateful for." — Rev. Kim Marie G.
Find a Spiritual Director
Affiliated with All Souls Interfaith Gathering
Spiritual directors are trained in “holy listening,” a practice of being deeply present for you. The director may ask questions to assist you in the process of reflection and spiritual growth. Unlike counseling, it is not intended to address specific life issues but is focused on the spiritual path.
Generally you meet monthly with your spiritual director in sessions that usually last an hour. Each spiritual director has their own fee schedule, most offering services on a sliding scale.
A number of trained spiritual directors are affiliated with All Souls. Those who are currently accepting new directees are listed below.
Although all have been trained in the evocative method of spiritual direction, each has their own style and areas of knowledge, expertise, and interest. For the most rewarding experience, it is important you find a spiritual director where both you and the spiritual director feel the fit is good.
To schedule a spiritual direction appointment, please contact the spiritual director of your choice directly (using their contact information below).
Spiritual Directors Affiliated with All Souls
Accepting New Directees
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Martha L. Folley
Email Martha
cell: (802) 276-0168
Be heard: Explore, Reflect, Discern, Seek, Contemplate, Nurture self-awareness, Connect more deeply with your spiritual self.Martha has utilized her life challenges for personal growth, finding her way toward emotional health and wholeness, and growing her spirituality. The myriad wonders of nature and the arts have always fed her spiritually. More recently she has embraced meditation, mindfulness, and affirmation.
Martha is a graduate of the All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction, and holds a B.S. in Computer Science. In midlife, she enjoyed balancing her technological abilities and career with the unanticipated discovery of her artistic talents in music, photography, stained glass, poetry, prose, and more.
Martha enjoys working as a spiritual companion both with those for whom a spiritual tradition or faith style resonates, as well as with those who have no particular faith. She prefers to meet in person at All Souls Interfaith Gathering.
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Rev. Kim Marie Glynn
Email Kim Marie
work: (802) 985-3819 x103
Kim Marie Glynn feels blessed to be a witness on your own transformative spiritual journey (works often with death, grief, dreams, life transitions, awakening and times of change & confusion as well as non/religious or spiritual connections). She ultimately reminds you to trust your own higher power, guidance and soul wisdom. She has a background with many modalities, so if you wish she can also guide you to add your body wisdom, divination with nature, the dreamworld, creative arts and the people around you as sacred mirrors, which also can speak and reflect through spirit. She feels and reminds us there are many forms of guidance and alignment on the spiritual path/pathlessness, all we have to do is remember that and at times pause to fully listen. Thanks for taking that pause for yourself. -
Lin Kalson
Email Lin
cell: (608) 345-9321
Lin’s goal as a Spiritual Director is to offer a welcoming, confidential space that enables a deeper connection and understanding of The Divine, however you may define It. Through non-judgmental compassionate listening and encouragement, she would like to companion you in discovering the love and acceptance ever available to us.As an interfaith Chaplain and USAF Veteran who is also a mature individual, Lin has training and experience in hospice care and entheogenic therapy. As such, her focus as a Spiritual Director includes the following areas: the challenges of aging; end-of- life concerns; working with those seeking to incorporate mystical experiences into life’s meaning; and military PTSD.
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Jim Koehneke
Email Jim
cell: (802) 881-9470
Jim has worked as a Life Coach for over twenty-five years, guiding, supporting, and helping clients discover and express their unique gifts and purpose. He is an intuitive partner who listens well, asks guiding questions, and encourages others to awaken to their authentic self.Prior to starting his own coaching business Jim served in key Human Resource Management positions and authored a number of self-help books addressing the needs of individuals. (See Jim’s Books.)
After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, Jim served as a Pilot in the United States Navy, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Behavioral Science, and completed the All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction in 2024. Jim resides in Vermont where he enjoys writing, hiking, photography, classical music and time spent with family.
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Marianne Mullen
Email Marianne
cell: (802) 224-6331
As your Spiritual Director, Marianne Mullen will accompany your journey as you embrace a meaningful, spiritual path. Marianne has extensive experience with sacred listening, holding space, and encouraging your inner teacher’s voice honoring your deepest longings and questions. Bringing her background as a professional coach, end-of-life doula, artist and her own lived experience with seeking a spiritual path – Marianne enjoys using expressive arts, poetry, music and other tools to explore the Divine.Whether you are just beginning your exploration or are a continual, curious seeker, Marianne will meet you where you are at and support you moving towards your version of spiritual wholeness. Contact Marianne for a conversation or a consultation on how spiritual direction would work for you.
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Melanie Severo
Email Melanie
cell: (802) 662-1066
Melanie Severo comes from a background in Christianity and has always considered herself a seeker. She has studied humanism and Buddhism, and is familiar with Taoist philosophy as well due to her work in eastern medicine. Her spiritual home is in Druidry and Earth centered spirituality. She is currently an assistant teacher in the Green Mountain Druid Order, and she is completing work to become a Nature Connected Life Coach through the Earth Based Institute in Colorado. She warmly welcomes the opportunity to support other spiritual seekers, no matter their backgrounds. -
Anthony Severo
Email Anthony
cell: (917)916-4136
Anthony Severo, a cum laude graduate with a BA in Psychology from Hunter College (CUNY) has over 25 years of experience in counseling individuals in career management, outplacement, welfare-to-work programs, ex-offenders, substance abusers and individuals with disabilities.As a graduate of the intensive two-year All Souls Interfaith School of Spiritual Direction program he has further enhanced his skills in deep listening, empathy and evocative questioning. He describes himself as a cross between a Spiritual Eclectic and an Ethical Humanist.
This perspective enables him to work effectively with individuals of all religious faiths whether deist, theist, atheist, pagan, etc. because there is no one right way to attain the divine, but all people at some point in their life encounter crises that cause them spiritual angst where a Spiritual Director can help them achieve a resolution.