ABSTRACT

This chapter offers a brief historical overview of the origins of both spiritual direction and psychotherapy, together with the development of therapy in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It suggests that there seems to be increasing convergence between therapy and spiritual direction and examines the similarities and differences that are emerging. It could be said that St Paul was the first spiritual director, using the medium of letters to offer support and spiritual accompaniment to seekers through his many epistles. The writings of St Francis of Assisi, Thomas a Kempis, and St Frances de Sales all offer guidance in spiritual formation, and of particular relevance to twentieth/twenty-first century psychological thinking is the legacy of St Ignatius of Loyola. Humanistic school is in what is known as the Humanistic School of psychotherapy that we begin to see a reconnection between spiritual direction and therapy in terms of a holistic approach to exploring inner healing and growth.