The Porch is committed to co-creating a better world through telling better stories. As part of that commitment, we are delighted to offer one-on-one deeper dives into exploring the stories that are shaping your life. Our co-founder Brian Ammons is both a spiritual director and coach committed to accompanying folks on the journey towards living more fully into who and how they’re called to be in the world.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION OR COACHING?
Both spiritual direction and coaching are modalities focused on holding space for people to enter into more freedom and what might be standing in the way or keeping you feeling stuck. Both happen in dedicated one-on-one sessions, usually for an hour once or twice a month. In either context, expect Brian’s full attention and compassionate presence, offering questions and reflecting back as you tap into the wisdom you have within you. The difference lies in the nature of the questions asked — whereas spiritual direction focuses primarily on the present tense and your connection with the sacred, coaching focuses on both your present and future with a focus on living into the vision you set for your life. Of course, the lines between the two are somewhat artificially constructed, and sometimes questions from one modality may creep into the other, but Brian will work with you in the initial session to discern what you are looking for and what form might best suit future conversations.
Perhaps it is also helpful to understand a bit about what Brian doesn’t offer as a way of understanding the process. Neither spiritual direction nor coaching are psychotherapy. Psychotherapy takes on many forms, but broadly speaking maintains a focus on mental health and how past experiences are impacting present realities. While conversations about your past may at times be relevant for understanding context, it is not the primary focus of Brian’s work. That said, both spiritual direction and coaching can function alongside counseling or therapy and many find the combination rich and useful.
ABOUT BRIAN
Brian Ammons, M.Ed., M.Div., Ph.D. is an educator, spiritual director, coach, writer and ordained minister. A former faculty member in Duke University's Program in Education and for over eight years Chaplain & Director of Spiritual Life at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC, Brian was named Interfaith Youth Core Outstanding Educator in 2017. Brian holds a PhD in Education with a certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies from UNC-Greensboro, and is an ordained minister in the Alliance of Baptists tradition. Brian was trained as coach in an International Coaching Federation accredited program jointly sponsored by Pinnacle Leadership and The Center for Congregational Health. and formed as a spiritual director through Shalem Institute’s spiritual guidance program.
Brian has written and spoken widely on themes of vocational discernment; interfaith work in higher education; and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and spirituality. Brian is married to writer and activist Gareth Higgins, and they split their time between Asheville, NC and Belfast, northern Ireland.
Here’s what some people say after they’ve worked with Brian:
Brian recently helped me through a challenging time of discernment, and walked with me to a place of clarity and hopeful imagination. His empathy and skill mean that he picks up on what's not being said, even avoided, and draws it out with grace and purpose. He is an insightful, creative, collegial, and helpful counselor, and a faithful, dear friend. - Esta Jarrett, pastor
Working with Brian has helped me to recognize and move past roadblocks that were created by unhelpful stories and patterns, and he has helped me to reorient and align myself with my true direction. Working with Brian has been a truly transformative experience, and he has helped me overcome fear that I thought I would never move beyond. - Jacob Ratliff, entrepreneur
When you need a companion for your soul journey, Brain Ammons is a wonderful choice. With many years as a teacher, preacher, retreat leader, chaplain and counselor, Brian is practiced in creating space for both fears and hopes. Brian is someone who is caring enough to listen, experienced enough to encourage, and wise enough to discern matters of the heart. - Nancy Hastings Sehested, prison chaplain, writer, and pastor
When I think of what I'm looking for in coaching or spiritual accompaniment, I know that I need someone able to listen deeply for the insights, wisdom, and wholeness of my own soul, especially when I'm not able to discern those qualities in myself. Brian Ammons is that friend--an adept miner of the soul, offering the kind of care that invites a gentle challenge to expand and grow toward the light. Brian's work is an invaluable gift. - Jasmin Pittman Morrell, writer and editor
ENGAGING SERVICES
If you are interested in exploring whether Brian might be a good fit in accompanying you in this chapter on your journey, begin by contacting him through the form linked here. Brian will follow up to schedule an initial on-line appointment at no cost. From there, if you both discern it is a good fit, you will be given an opportunity to contract for either three or six sessions over a three month period. At the end of that three months, you will discern together if it would be useful and life-giving to continue working together.
As with all opportunities provided by The Porch, we are committed to making this service accessible. The cost is $125 per hour, and if you can pay that please do. If you are unable to afford that rate, click here to contact Brian and discuss other options. If you can afford to pay more in order to help make this opportunity available for those who cannot afford the regular rate, you are encouraged to consider doing so.
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A Note from Brian:
If you are reading this, it is likely that you are considering enrolling someone to support you in your growth and exploration. I applaud your willingness to consider asking someone to walk alongside you. In a culture bent towards individualism and self-reliance, it is no small thing to reach out for support. I am humbled by the gift of being invited into other people’s life for a season as a Coach or Spiritual Director.
My own journey has had its share of twists and rocky patches, as well as deep experiences of joy and beauty. I have found working with both spiritual directors and coaches to be extremely valuable on the quest to live more authentically and approach life with a sense of mission and purpose. Those guides and companions played, and continue to play, a significant role in my story.
I would be honored to spend a bit of time with you and discern together if I might be the right person to walk alongside you for a while.
Wishing you peace,
Brian