cheryl macpherson

I began my working life as a teacher in New Zealand and continue to find teaching skills valuable when providing spiritual companioning and retreat facilitation. I am passionate about deep listening; being prayerfully present and listening from the heart. For me spiritual direction is very much about creating the spaciousness for listening with and reflecting on the sacredness of life. It is also about being open to inner wisdom and a presence beyond words, and about listening together for guidance in conversation and in quiet.

I bring a variety of life experience and training to my role as spiritual companion. My training includes: a Certificate of Counseling Support from Camosun College '92, Clinical Pastoral Counseling Training and Studies in Bowen Theory at Island Pastoral Services '97, training in grief support and facilitating grief recovery groups with the Burquitlum Grief Recovery System '98. While pursuing an interest in holistic healing I completed master level training in Reiki '99. During this time I completed the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. My two year program in Spiritual Direction was done at Vancouver School of Theology through the Pacific Jubilee Program in Spiritual Direction which I completed in '04. In '06 I was certified as a teacher of the Enneagram in the Helen Palmer narrative style. I also received training from Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault PhD. of the Contemplative Society on leadership in contemplative practice.

I have great respect for the spirituality of 12 Step programs and have been fortunate to assist women exploring their 5th and 11th steps. I am a member of the United Church of Canada and have companioned people from many differing spiritual paths. My own spiritual practice includes; centering prayer, lectio divina, meditation, journaling and creating mandalas. I have had a spiritual director for over 13 years and continue to benefit from this ongoing relationship.

My hourly rate is $50 (sliding scale available on request)