Spiritual development is individualized guidance and training for strengthening one's personal relationship with God. The practices that support this development include journaling, meditation, and prayer. Spiritual directors work with clients as they seek to discern God's will for their lives. The spiritual director is an experienced Christian who shares his or her life of prayer and acts as a companion and guide who is familiar with the pain, the pitfalls and the promise.

Spiritual development differs from counseling in that the person seeking direction may not be experiencing a psychological crisis. A Christian seeks a spiritual director when he or she feels a call to grow spiritually and is not sure how to proceed. Sometimes the need for direction manifests itself as restlessness or dissatisfaction with the usual devotional practice. Sometimes, the person feels that God is calling for a deeper or different kind of commitment and is not sure what the Spirit is saying or how to respond. At these times of uncertainty, a director can reduce the sense of
confusion and provide guidance.

In some cases, the spiritual director may suggest a period of psychological therapy if there are deep hurts from broken relationships that impede progress with God. This therapy provides insight which is needed for growth in the spiritual walk of the individual. The holistic therapist will not ignore the importance of spiritual growth in the life of a committed Christian client. The therapist will help the client understand how the insights he or she gains from therapy relate to his or her relationship with God.