I am a Christ-focused spiritual director based in the Oxnard/Ventura area of California.

What I do:

Help people recognize God's presence and receive His Love.

Many people in the Bay Area live at a breakneck pace — under pressure to achieve more and always be faster, better, and smarter. By slowing down, being quiet and still before God, and spending time in focused, contemplative prayer, we can learn to counter the pressures that face many of us.

Spiritual direction is about prayerful attention. Instead of offering advice or attempting to solve a problem, I help you notice the movement of God in your life and the stirrings and longings in your spirit. My ministry is one of listening, with one ear tuned to the Holy Spirit and the other tuned to your story. No agenda. No achievement plan. Just time and space set apart to draw near to the living God. Throughout this process the Holy Spirit is the ultimate director.

How I work →

Merton Quote

“Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director — the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul.”

— THOMAS MERTON

who I work with

People who are looking for a closer relationship and more intimacy with God.

Many people come to me with an overall weariness of the soul. Due to the career-focused culture of the Bay Area, I work with many mid-career adults who are in the midst of challenging life situations and are trying to discern God’s will for their next steps. I also enjoy working with pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, and people in recovery. Because of my background, I have a heart for people from different ethnic and multicultural backgrounds.

How I work →

Testimonials

“When I was asked to consider being a part of this group, I must admit I was hesitant because of the length of commitment. But the hunger in my heart to know Jesus more intimately, to draw closer to Him, overrode that resistance. After all doesn't it take 9 months to birth new life? My experience with the group deepened my relationship with The Lord. I discovered that He speaks to me more than I realized, I just needed to learn how to listen. To know His profound love for me was the big takeaway.”

— Sheryl Brisbane, Women’s ministry director

“The spiritual exercises have helped me develop a discipline of mediation. Spending longer periods of time alone with God was relatively new for me. I have always prayed and read the bible, but rarely sat and listened and waited to hear God. I have experienced true transformation as a person over the last 9 months through the power of regular communication with God. I’m thankful for that discipline of even when I don’t “feel” like spending time with the Lord or I'm afraid… I can now go to Him… What a gift the 9 months were and continue to be.”

— Laura Gandy, Foster parent

“Through imaginative prayer and reflection, I was able to more fully experience Jesus' ministry on Earth — his death and resurrection — not only deepening my relationship with Jesus but also my identity as a child of God. The format of the group allowed for a highly personal journey that, simultaneously, I was privileged to share with fellow participants.”

— Nakeyshia Kendall, Social entrepreneur

“Meeting with Barbara is a rich and vital rhythm in my life. She creates a space where I can share openly and honestly in the presence of God. I appreciate and benefit from her commitment to nurturing the sacred space of spiritual direction, even through such a unique medium as telecommunication.”

— Lara Pagh, Director of discipleship

“Over the past few years Barbara has been an important voice for me in spiritual direction conversations, always pointing me to the voice and presence of Jesus as I have faced multiple relational challenges and transitions in my life. My relationship with Barbara has become both a safe and a brave space for me to explore the call of Jesus on my life outside the parameters of cultural expectations, as well as a place for me to reflect and receive feedback on helpful ways to communicate with those around me.”

— Dawn Noelle, Family literacy facilitator

“I have been doing spiritual direction with Barbara for almost two years and it has been an incredible experience. Barbara holds space for me to receive the presence of God in transformative ways, explore the truth in a hospitable environment, and learn tools for getting “unstuck” from my over-processing. Spiritual direction with Barbara is integrated into all realms of my life — vocation, faith, relationships, and whole-self health — and is one of my favorite hours of every month.”

— Georgia Lee, Church ministry leader