Divine Invitations
Christ-Centered Spiritual Direction

I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a, NIV

What is Spiritual Direction?

Spiritual Direction is a Divine Invitation to experience the presence of God in the company of a trained, empathic, listener. Its purpose is to hold space for you to explore how the fingerprints of God show up in your personal story and daily life. Spiritual Direction embraces the truth that God is always pursing a relationship with us, His creation, because He wants us to know Him intimately.

Who is a good candidate for Spiritual Direction?

Someone who

is a Christ-Follower or someone actively exploring the Christian Faith
feels stuck in their faith journey or life circumstances
feels like God is silent or has abandoned them, like they have “hit the wall”, or are experiencing a “dark night of the soul”
is facing a major life decision
feels that current devotional practices are no longer helpful
has a desire to deepen his or her relationship with God in a fresh way

What happens in a Spiritual Direction session?

Individual sessions usually begin with a moment of silence followed by the lighting of a candle and a brief prayer acknowledging the presence of Holy Spirit as the True Director. In the first few sessions, you will be encouraged to share your faith journey/experience as we explore how God may be speaking to you in the unique way that He created you to know Him. Sessions may also include a variety of spiritual practices such as lectio divina, imaginative prayer, and silent reflection. Sessions last about an hour and are usually scheduled on a monthly basis.

How is Spiritual Direction different from psychotherapy?

While both are formal relationships between someone seeking support and a trained helper, the purpose of the relationship is different. In psychotherapy the focus is often trying to diagnose/fix a specific issue or emotional wound. The therapist is considered the “expert” and is expected to adhere to state laws and professional ethics. In spiritual direction, both the Director and the Directee agree that the Holy Spirit is the “expert” and the True Director. The primary goal is to increase awareness of God’s presence in every aspect of the Directee’s life.

Meet Leslie

My name is Leslie Bissell and it would be my honor to walk with you as you explore your unique relationship with Jesus Christ.

What I love about Jeremiah 29: 11-14a is that it begins with a promise (I know the plans I have for you) and ends with a promise (I will be found by you.) It also gives us a clue as to what we can do to connect to this promise. The practice of Spiritual Direction is one way that we can learn how to call on, come to, and relate to God in a practical way. The result – we WILL find Him!

Friend, once you find God and truly know Him, there is no greater source of joy, life, and peace. Through my own Spiritual Direction, I have learned that I was created to help others find and nurture their own relationship with the One who made this promise. Therefore, my personal mission is “to create sacred shepherding spaces where tears are honored, barriers are removed, hope is restored, and growth is nurtured and celebrated.” When we take the risk to partner with Jesus Christ and enter a safe space where we can more fully hear His voice and his songs of love for us, everything changes. Faith is no longer something “out there” to be done or achieved, but it becomes rooted in a relationship with Someone – Someone we can just “be with” and be loved, just as we are.

Over the years I have enjoyed experiencing the presence of God through many denominational lenses and life events. I have come to appreciate the joys, sorrows, and challenges that each brings and how it can impact how we see our ourselves in relationship to God and others. With a professional background in clinical psychology, I value the complexity of each human story and consider it a sacred calling to hold space for others who want to hear the voice of God more clearly, especially in times of change or uncertainty.

I completed my Spiritual Direction training through Sustainable Faith (2025) and earned by Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, Wheaton IL (2003). I am also a member of the Christ-Centered Spiritual Direction Association (CSDA).