Daniels Argues Spiritual Direction Fills Gap in Modern Therapy

A new scholarly volume argues that traditional clinical therapy often lacks the tools to address deep existential questions.

Aaron B. Daniels, an associate teaching professor at Northeastern University and former therapist, co-edited the book "Spiritual Direction and the Other: Interdisciplinary Explorations of Accompaniment." The text posits that standardized therapeutic treatments, which Daniels terms manualized, leave a gap when patients face crises involving life meaning, geopolitical conflict, or family death.

Daniels notes that patients frequently ask questions that do not fit into standard clinical vocabulary. He asks, "Who is going to speak to us about how we go about this business of living out our lives?" The book suggests that spiritual traditions offer a different approach to these unresolved questions.

The volume draws on historical practices from ancient Greek medicine, Spanish mysticism, and Buddhist pedagogy. It proposes that spiritual direction differs from therapy by acting as a companion rather than a detached instructor. This method involves walking alongside the individual through suffering instead of applying a clinical fix.

Gracie Vogel, a co-editor who graduated from Northeastern in 2025 with a degree in health science and psychology, stated the book aims to bring awareness to this alternative form of psychological help. She noted that the collection includes chapters from authors with diverse religious backgrounds to explore how spiritual practices inform healing.

Daniels identifies self-disclosure as the primary practical difference between the two fields. He explained that a therapist generally should not share personal experiences, whereas a spiritual director often does. "A therapist should never say, 'Oh, honey, I’ve been there,'" Daniels said. In contrast, a director might say, "I may have some familiarity with what a divorce feels like. Tell me about yours."

This peer-to-peer dynamic allows conversations to move beyond solution-oriented advice. Daniels said the approach leaves room for the epistemological edges of existential questions, which he argues can only be answered through poetic and imaginal frameworks. He described the process as making room for mystery and accepting uncertainty.

Gordon Bermant, a former lecturer in Buddhist psychology, contributed a chapter on spiritual companionship in Buddhism. Bermant wrote that he does not view foundational Buddhist stories as literal history but finds comfort in the image of the seated Amida Buddha. He described this figure as a transcendent other that helps him contemplate spiritual direction.

Katherine Kirby, a philosophy professor, described her experience teaching undergraduate students during the pandemic. She designed her course to focus on the benefits of leaning on the spiritual amid global crisis. Kirby wrote that students reported feeling more space and flexibility with their feelings, indicating a hunger for guidance in exploring spiritual dimensions of their lives.

Fayez Khwaja, a spiritual advisor at Northeastern’s Center for Spirituality, Dialogue and Service who serves Muslim students, said exploring spirituality can reenergize patients. "I think the connections a person has with a higher being or a higher purpose helps to refund a person," Khwaja said. He noted that this connection can be used for healing and nurturing.

Vogel said that despite growing up in a Catholic family, she does not currently practice religion. However, editing the volume led her to connect themes across different faiths. She said the work gave her a deeper appreciation for those who are spiritual and provided guidance for conversations about purpose and meaning.

Daniels said the collection provides historical resources for research in the humanities and health professions. He wrote that the book offers a glimpse of a deeper way of seeing lives in an era of growing global challenges.