Supervision and the Gift of Self-Reflection
By Martha Corkery
Since first experiencing spiritual direction myself, I have found myself very open to reflecting upon my experiences with others. Supervision affords me the opportunity for self-reflection as it pertains to my work as a spiritual director and a spiritual companion for the 19th annotation Spiritual Exercises retreat.
The most effective supervision I have experienced happened when I was training to accompany individuals through St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercise in Everyday Life. I was required to record my sessions with my two pilgrims. The very thought of that kind of sharing intimidated me. However, the monthly supervision sessions with my supervisor were wonderful.
She reviewed the recordings before we met and she was masterful in helping me to consider the sessions on two different levels, First, she offered feedback about how I was accompanying the individuals. Second, she encouraged me to consider how my experiences with the pilgrims were affecting me and how my experiences might be affecting the conversations I shared with them. She provided reflective questions for me to consider in advance of our sessions and we discussed them when we met. She noted how the companions responded to my accompaniment and affirmed the questions I asked that seemed to resonate with them. She often asked me what I was experiencing as the pilgrims were sharing with me about their experiences. She even asked me for an image describing the conversation I had with each pilgrim. Being such a seasoned spiritual director and supervisor, she was tremendously supportive in her comments about our sessions.
I remember how I braced myself for a critique when I first began supervision. However, I experienced tremendous support and was encouraged to pay closer attention to what was stirring in me as I listened to my pilgrims’ experiences. When she posed a question, it was always supportive and positive.
Supervision became an invaluable experience to me in learning how to accompany others on the Spiritual Exercises. It also broadened my awareness of self in the moment of being present to another. As a result of my experience, I cannot imagine doing the work of spiritual direction or companioning someone through the Spiritual Exercises without supervision. I am presently part of two peer supervision groups as well as a third supervision group that happens to be facilitated by the wonderful supervisor I had when receiving my training to lead individuals through the Spiritual Exercises.
Martha Corkery is a spiritual director who also companions individuals through the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life. She is part of the Manresa Way Maine leadership team that offers the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius online ( IgnatianSpiritualExercises.org). She also accompanies individuals through the Spiritual Exercises in addition to the online program. Martha is recently retired from work as a pastoral life coordinator in Brunswick and can be reached at MCorkery44@comcast.net