Barbara Milligan
Spiritual Director and Supervisor 
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Contact Barbara:
[email protected]​

Pronouns: she/her

Availability and fee: I offer spiritual direction and supervision on Zoom or Facetime or
by phone. Please contact me for office hours and information about my fee. I offer a
sliding scale.
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Training and experience: I completed the three-year Spiritual Directors’ Institute at
Mercy Center in 2006 and the Internship in the Art of Retreat Direction, also at Mercy
Center, in 2007. I’m also trained in the supervision of spiritual directors (Together in the
Mystery, 2016). I’ve enjoyed leading structured contemplative groups for both women
and men, in various contexts and over many years.

Denominational affiliation: My church communities have ranged from Baptist to
Presbyterian to Methodist to Vineyard and, finally, to the Episcopal tradition, where I
settled in 2009. I respect all religious beliefs and traditions and am happy to companion
people of various faiths or no faith.

Specialties: I provide individual and group spiritual direction, and supervision of
spiritual directors. I also lead group and individual retreats, including the Spiritual
Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. I enjoy working with clergy, seminary students, church
volunteers, and other individuals and groups. My specialties include companioning
those who have experienced, or are experiencing, any of the following:

• Abuse by church ministers and leaders
• Confusion or frustration about their faith or former faith
• Grief over losses
• Serious or chronic illness
• Caregiving for a loved one
• Recovery from an addiction or other disorder
• Sense of calling to work toward social justice
• Desire to embark on a retreat or a spiritual practice
• Desire to discern their next steps in a life transition
• Desire to deepen their faith or their experience of the Holy

Style of spiritual direction: Our souls are tender, often wounded, and must be treated
with loving care. So I’m honored when another person shares with me what is stirring in
their soul. I listen with genuine interest and offer gentle questions and observations with
the goal of supporting the person in discovering for themselves what those stirrings
might be, in an environment free of judgment, agendas, and advice. I might suggest a
certain prayer practice or other resource as an option. I also offer a few minutes of
silence when it seems appropriate. Most important, I prayerfully listen and watch for the
Holy, who is present with us and within us.​

Personal: I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I often notice the presence of the
Holy in nature as I hike, paddle a kayak, watch birds, identify wildflowers, gaze at the
stars and planets, and share these experiences with others. I also play pickleball and I
dance when no one is watching. Having worked for several decades as an editor in
high-tech corporations, publishing houses, and nonprofits, I enjoy finding stillness in
natural surroundings.

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