The Caritas Model is one of the most unique and transformative models for spiritual direction, formation, counseling, and mentorship. The approach was designed, developed, and refined over a two-decade period by colleagues affiliated with multiple faith traditions.
Over the last twenty years, we crafted an approach model that not only allows a more profound spiritual adventure but helps teach and train spiritual guides and companions in the art of not only listening but fostering profound change.

Caritas is a Latin term used to describe the divine call to a full, transformative, reckless love of self, others, and the divine. By rooting this model in these concepts, we hope to center our efforts in an integral approach of mind, body, and spirit.

A spiritual director is a trained – often certified – listener who helps people focus on their relationship with God and the practices that nourish that relationship.

A spiritual director’s role is to create a space for prayer and to remain attentive to the spirit of the divine on behalf of someone else. They help people notice God’s presence and activity along their spiritual journey, as well as their personal reactions and responses.

It is important to understand the nuances that exist between these terms.

According to the American Psychological Association, Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help individuals experiencing a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges.

Psychotherapies can help identify the psychological root causes of one’s condition so a person can function better and have enhanced emotional well-being and healing. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies.

In contrast, Spiritual directors are extensively trained – and often certified – in helping people discern and grow closer to the divine presence in their lives. The goal of the spiritual director is to aid the directee in the employment of tools, disciplines, and practices that help them experience a greater sense of spiritual wholeness. The Spiritual director helps others see the divine in both the beautiful and the messy parts of life, in hopes of growing that connection, or understanding how the divine is currently at work in their journey. Spiritual direction is typically individualized, without a standard procedure, but rather one that incorporates from a wide range of approaches and traditions.

Finally, although spiritual direction is a piece of pastoral counseling, pastoral counseling is a type of psychotherapy that combines psychology and spirituality. It aims to help clients on an emotional level – rather than biochemically – by helping them understand their religious beliefs and receive spiritual guidance. Pastoral counselors are trained mental health professionals with in-depth knowledge and practical focus in religion and theology. Typically, pastoral counselors take theological and religious approaches to address immediate – often emergency – situations, whereas spiritual directors are focused on long-term, often lifetime, growth, and discernment.

A care manager monitors the treatment and care of a directee. They often work with your spiritual care to ensure that your goals are being achieved and your needs are being met. Your care manager is likely a licensed pastor and a certified spiritual director, trained in both corners of care. Care Managers are the who you would contact practical concerns of your care. Each client of Caritas.care is assigned a care manager.

Your first meeting with a spiritual director is one where you will share your history, your goals, your anxieties and your hope from spiritual direction.

You can begin that process by clicking the “Begin Your Journey – Questionnaire” button below

The Caritas Model, developed by the Monadnock Center for Mission and Ministry, is one of the most unique and transformative models for spiritual direction, formation, counseling, and mentorship currently in use across faith communities. The approach was designed, developed, and refined by colleagues affiliated with multiple faith traditions over two decades. In addition to a reliance on historical and traditional models of care, the method employs current advancements in behavioral, cognitive, and group dynamic theory.

The Caritas model of care hinges on an understanding of our work in the three “i’s”: Imagination, Inquiry, and Innovation.

Inquiry begins as we work to ask the tough questions of our story, developing a narrative that explains our journey. As that narrative is discerned, we lean into learning where the divine has been working in those travels.

Imagination marks our work towards respecting that narrative, but wondering together how that journey might change. Together we wonder where God is changing one’s story.

Finally, innovation is driven by our willingness to take where we have come, claim it as our own, and learning how to share it as our story. Only as we do, can we claim and enter the change that helps us grow.

In the end, Caritas is a Latin term that describes the divine call to a full, transformative, reckless love of self, others, and the divine. By rooting our model in these concepts, we hope to center our efforts in an integral approach of mind, body, and spirit. That love is critical to laying the foundation for this journey.

On a national average, fees vary for spiritual direction and can reach as high as $125 per session. On average Caritas typically charges $ 50.00 USD/55 min Video Session. That said, these prices will vary depending on the nature of care offered, but central to our mission is to build accessibility of spiritual care, especially in underserved and marginalized areas. One way we attempt to do this is through intentionally keeping our hourly rate as low as possible.

A review of the Center’s fee assistance programs will be conducted as part of your initial, no-charge intake meeting. Based on income and need, the center may subsidize the cost of your sessions.

As a reminder, you will never pay your spiritual director directly. Instead, Caritas.care processes all payments, subsidies, and insurance payments through billing software designed to protect your credit and insurance information.

There are multiple methods to pay for your sessions with our providers. For some insurance or their employer’s assistance programs may be an option. However, due to the nature of care being rooted in the spiritual side of our lives, most insurances do not cover spiritual direction. We advise those interested in direction to contact their providers directly.

Caritas.care/The Monadnock Center offer opportunities for sliding scale and pro-bono appointments and we invite you to discuss those opportunities with your care manager.

As a reminder, you will never pay your spiritual director directly. Instead, Caritas.care processes all payments, subsidies, and insurance payments through billing software designed to protect your credit and insurance information.

The Monadnock Center is a federally registered and recognized 501C3 organization with headquarters in Southwestern New Hampshire. The Monadnock Center for Mission & Ministry, founded in 2010, began with the intent of making a difference in the local church and faith-based community. Our mission focused on changing the way people of faith connect. Grounded in our understanding of humanity’s desire for holistic and health wholeness, alongside growth and connection with the divine, our vision centered on equipping communities and individuals to to foster a healthy spirituality rooted in the restoration of a relationship with God, courageously implementing new worship and church expressions, sharing resources, and finally, building authentic connection with one another, God and creation. We specialize in the advancement of spiritual care especially to marginalized and underserved communities, through a commitment to technology, education, and outreach. Additionally, we lean into context and community-based training and certification beyond Spiritual Direction and Care, for individuals and faith-based communities. For more information visit us at http://www.monadnockministry.org

As a reminder, you will never pay your spiritual director directly. Instead, Caritas.care processes all payments, subsidies, and insurance payments through billing software designed to protect your credit and insurance information.

Our focus is not on making a profit off of your care. Instead, we believe that by making it our mission to grow the disciplines required for faith-based care, we can have a larger impact on our extended community. Any income that is received through our portfolio of offerings is returned 100% into the mission of the Center. For more information visit us at http://www.monadnockministry.org

Yes. At Caritas.care all spiritual directors, counselors, and care managers must agree to the Caritas Guidelines for Ethical Conduct (Code of Ethics). As part of your initial interview with your care manager you will be provided with this information. Additionally, all spiritual directors, counselors, and care managers are mandated reporters. A mandated reporter is a person who is legally required to report observed or suspected abuse. Specific details vary across jurisdictions—the abuse that must be reported may include neglect, or financial, physical, sexual, or other types of abuse. Additionally, we consider the threat of self-injury or the harm of others as grounds for immediate reporting to local authorities.

We are always looking for trained care experts to be a part of our team. If you are willing to grow with us while living into our models of care, there may be a place for you. We invite you to reach out to our director at scott.masters@monadnockministry.org or through our contact us page.

This is the first step. Working your way through this collection of Frequently Asked Questions helps you discern what Caritas is and what it is not.

After reading this section we invite you to fill out an initial, no-obligation, and confidential questionnaire. This doesn’t take long to fill out, and helps us to understand your faith journey, your goals, and your history.

That form will be used to pair you with a chaplain/director who can best fill your individual needs. After reviewing that questionnaire one of our care managers will reach out to schedule a video appointment. During that appointment, which typically lasts about thirty minutes, they will walk you through how a typical appointment is structured and how the Caritas model of spiritual care works.

Your first meeting with a spiritual director is one where you will share your history, your goals, your anxieties and your hope from spiritual direction.

You can begin that process by clicking the “Begin Your Journey – Questionnaire” button below