Spiritual Companioning
On the Margins
An Eight-Part In-Depth Series
Spiritual companionship has always found its deepest expression on the margins — in spaces where people experience exclusion, vulnerability, and profound transformation. As spiritual directors and companions, we are often called to walk alongside individuals and communities who live on the edges of dominant culture: those facing systemic injustice, displacement, poverty, incarceration, or experiences of deep otherness.
After our initial 2-part series in November 2025 was met with earnest enthusiasm from our community, we have now put together an expanded and in-depth 8-part series: inviting us to reflect on what it means to offer presence, dignity, and solidarity in these spaces.
This series features eight extraordinary spiritual companions (read their bios below) whose decades of collective service offer both wisdom and practical insight. In this series, you’ll learn from their lived experience, be inspired by their grounded presence, and develop the skills needed to accompany all whom you encounter with greater attentiveness, humility, and care.
Through stories, shared wisdom, and contemplative reflection, we will explore how spiritual companionship can become a channel of hope and belonging — not by “fixing,” but by witnessing, honoring, and holding sacred the journeys of those we accompany.
“When we are present to another’s pain without trying to fix it, something sacred happens.”
— Fr. Richard Rohr
Together, we’ll consider:
- A variety of approaches to spiritual companioning for marginalized populations across the socio-economic spectrum, as well as those facing addiction and mental health difficulties.
- How to ground ourselves spiritually and emotionally for this work.
- The postures of listening and humility needed to companion on the margins.
- Practical ways to honor the wisdom and agency of those we serve.
- Wisdom and encouragement for spiritual companions looking for places to be of service.
- How communities of spiritual directors can support one another in these vocations.
Whether you are already accompanying people on the margins or are discerning how your practice might expand in this direction, this conversation will offer inspiration, practical insights, and a shared sense of purpose.
Join us as we lean into this vital and sacred work — listening for the movement where the world’s pain and resilience meet.
“Our ministry is not to bring people to where we are, but to meet them where they are and accompany them on their journey.”
— Henri Nouwen
- Participants from all religious traditions and spiritual orientations are welcome to this course.
- No experience is required to attend.
- Each session runs 90 minutes.
- All sessions will be recorded and be viewable for at least 12 months after the last session goes live.
“Being listened to is so close to being loved that most people cannot tell the difference.”
— David Augsburger
Schedule
Eight live weekly 90 minute sessions, Mondays beginning February 9, 2026 at 10-11:30am Pacific Time. (12 hour total duration.)
Find your own local time here.
This series has been scheduled to be convenient to as many people around the world as possible. With that said, if that timing doesn’t work, you can enjoy the webinar any time you like.
Each session is recorded so you can watch at your convenience.
Course Faculty
Jeff Skolnick
Jeff Skolnick, M.D., Ph.D., is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry, Lifetime Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a respected 40-year Zen Buddhist practitioner, Natural Health doctor, former brain researcher, and medical executive. Besides neuropsychiatric assessment and treatment, Dr. Skolnick has created a new approach to psychotherapy and advanced (“spiritual”) development called the SatoriWest Method. Dr. Skolnick lives in Seattle, Washington.
John Longworth
Br. John Longworth (they/them) is a life professed Ecumenical Franciscan, an ordained Christian clergy-person since 2007 and has been in intentional community since 2010. They became a spiritual director through the Daughters of Wisdom and through a Spiritual Accompaniment Practicum at Still Harbor in Boston, MA. Br. John serves as a housing advocate and grant writer for Vermont’s largest organization accompanying people through homelessness, and previously served as the Coordinator of Formation Ministry for the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. Queer spirituality and a celebration of the non-binary complexity of the Holy and the Divine are key parts of their practice.
Kristine Jeong
Kristine Jeong is a diasporic queer korean spiritual care worker, convener, facilitator, and editor. 정 (jeong, a korean relationality of interconnectedness and kinship) is the root of their care ethos, solidarity, and engagement. My praxis draws on liberationist, ecofeminist, decolonial, anticapitalist, and disability justice aims. Kristine’s experiences include community organizing, coalition building, peer support groups, and spiritual accompaniment among BIPOC, queer, immigrant, refugee, formerly incarcerated, maritime worker, survivor, and activist communities. They have trained with Union Theological Seminary (MDiv), University of Michigan (MPP), UCLA (BA), Jewish Theological Seminary (Clinical Pastoral Education), and Redlands University (Certificate in the Art of Spiritual Direction).
Paul Houston Blankenship-Lai
Paul Houston Blankenship-Lai is a spiritual companion who is devoted to a question about how to cocreate loving presences with others through contemplative, creative, and compassionate practice. He received a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, an MA from Vanguard University of Southern California, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Paul recently published his first book with Fordham University Press called Soul Woundedness: Spirituality on the Streets of Seattle. Paul and his wife Evelyn are gearing up for a big move to Humboldt County, California—and they live with their tender animal companion, Xin-Xin.
Susan Shannon
Susan Shannon, M.Div., BCC, is a longtime Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, interfaith minister, and chaplain devoted to serving marginalized communities. With over 45 years of study under eminent Tibetan teachers, she has taught, counseled, and facilitated transformative programs in prisons, including founding the Buddhist Prison Ministry, now active nationwide. Susan teaches for multiple organizations, offers spiritual counseling and CPE supervision, and continues tending the sacred land she calls home.
María R. Barrera
María R. Barrera, Ed.D. (pronouns: she, her, they, them) Maria comes from a bilingual, multi-cultural family (Anahuac and Pueblo) and is a Spiritual Advisor/Chaplain for With-In With-Out the Circle, Inc. in Washington, D.C. She engages in advocacy to address the spiritual care needs for people in prisons, Veterans Affairs hospitals, substance abuse rehabilitation, with disabilities, hospice, mental health, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ2S+, human trafficking, sexual and domestic violence, and missing murdered, Native American relatives. She provides ministry and spiritual direction in state and federal prisons, and Veterans Affairs facilities. She is a Native American traditional practitioner, a Sundancer, a White Bison Firestarter of Circles using the Medicine Wheel and the 12 Steps Way of recovery, and member of the Oklevueha Native American Church, and an ordained interfaith minister from All Faiths Seminary International. She was Spiritual Directors International’s first-ever “Ambassador” in 2017.
Elsy Arevalo
Elsy Arevalo currently serves as Assistant Director of the Center for Religion and Spirituality at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. In that capacity, she teaches in programs in the areas of Christian spirituality, Contemplative Practices and the Christian Mystical tradition in both English and Spanish. Ms. Arevalo also founded, developed and leads a three-year training program in Spiritual Direction for the Latino community. Her most recent projects include Family Spirituality- a program for parents and the Spirituality of Pilgrimage- a program that seeks to accompany the immigrant experience. Ms. Arevalo earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University with an emphasis on spiritual direction.
Rebecca Hamann
SDI is pleased to welcome back Rev. Rebecca Hamann, who presented the 2016 SDI Webinar, Creating Safe Space on the Margins, which discussed working with people recovering from addiction, mental illness, and homelessness. A retired ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, Becky holds a Master of Theological Studies from Bangor Seminary and a certificate for The Art of Spiritual Direction from Stillpoint Center for Christian Spirituality, Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Experienced in the areas of Spiritual Direction and small group facilitation, Becky has companioned people from various walks of life — church members, clergy, residents in nursing homes, homeless shelters, and addiction recovery programs. She founded Reah Ministry in 2003.
Additional Information
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this series. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary.
- Each session will run 90 minutes. We understand that the timing of the seminar will not be convenient in every time zone on the planet. For those who have trouble making this time, a recorded copy of each session will be made available to all those who sign up.
- CEU credits are available for all those who participate. SDI will provide a certificate of completion for self-reporting to agencies. More information can be found here: continuing education units (CEUs).
- Cost: $189 for non-members, with significant discounts for SDI members. Non-members are of course welcome to participate too.
- Scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship. Please apply here.
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