Spiritual Direction and Prayer Counseling
with Christy Shirley Fickenscher, M.A.
Life & Wholeness
Soul Care Ministries
A partner with the International Association of Ministers and Ministries - iamm.net - 501(c)(3)
"LISTEN TO YOUR LIFE.
SEE IT FOR THE FATHOMLESS MYSTERY IT IS.
IN THE BOREDOM AND PAIN OF IT, NO LESS THAN IN THE EXCITEMENT AND GLADNESS:
TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL YOUR WAY
TO THE HOLY AND HIDDEN HEART OF IT,
BECAUSE IN THE LAST ANALYSIS
ALL MOMENTS ARE KEY MOMENTS,
AND LIFE ITSELF IS GRACE."
- FREDERICK BueCHNER
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from God.
Psalm 62:5
Prayer
Counseling
Life and Wholeness is committed to making known the mystery
of the image of God within each person .
Knowing who God is and who we are as made in the image of God
frees us to live freely in wholeness.
​
The ministry of reconciliation (or prayer ministry) is not professional counseling, but rather a ministry led by the desire to see the light
of Christ come into the dark places within hurting individuals.
I approach prayer ministry as both an art and the application
of various tools for unlocking the God-given potential
within each person. I endeavor to minister
to the whole person – spirit, soul, and body.
​
Individual or couple appointments in person, or by Zoom,
for those outside the Sacramento area.
Spiritual
Direction
​
The work of a Spiritual Director is to companion
another in directing attention toward the
(often unseen, but always present and loving)
presence of God in their lives. It is 'Spiritual' because we presume
that the Holy Spirit (God) is present and at work in the
most ordinary of circumstances of our lives.
It is 'Direction' because we intentionally direct our attention
to listen for and respond in faith, hope, and love
to the invitations of the Loving God.
​​
Christy completes the internship in spiritual direction
with Bread of Life in November, 2025.
Contact Christy for placement
on intern-directee waitlist.
​
One-hour, monthly, individual appointments in person, or by Zoom,
for those outside the Sacramento area.
retreats/
small groups
Christy is pleased to offer long or short term retreats including women's retreats, retreats for small or large groups, women's circles, grief support as well as leading others in contemplative practices that deepen awareness of God and God's love.
​
Submit a request to learn about customized retreats for your group, utilizing various forms of contemplative prayer,
journaling prompts for reflection, embodied prayer, and more.
“GOD IS CLOSER TO US THAN OUR OWN SOUL,
FOR GOD IS THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH OUR SOUL STANDS
AND IS THE MEANS WHICH KEEPS THE SUBSTANCE
AND THE SENSUALITY TOGETHER,
SO THAT THEY WILL NEVER SEPARATE.
FOR OUR SOUL SITS IN GOD IN TRUE REST,
AND OUR SOUL STANDS IN GOD IN SURE STRENGTH,
AND OUR SOUL IS NATURALLY ROOTED IN GOD IN ENDLESS LOVE.”
-JULIAN OF NORWICH
Welcome
I'm so glad you are here.
My hope is that wherever you are
on your life journey, you will find peace and rest
for your soul in the love and grace of God
whose mercies are new every morning.
I welcome the opportunity to companion you
on your deepening journey.
About Christy
After a first career in elementary public education, I returned to school to study psychology. In the year 2000, I completed a MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois. While working as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I counseled individuals, children, teens, couples and families in private, non-profit, and church counseling centers. In 2021, I retired my MFT license in order to focus solely on ministering through prayer counseling and spiritual direction. I have received training with Imago Dei Ministries out of Portland, Oregon and continue to be part of their monthly Inner Healing Community. I am also involved in a local church community and am part of the Bread of Life Community in Sacramento, CA.
I have welcomed serving the community by mentoring teen girls, leading in the homeschool community, and leading spiritual groups. My husband and I find great joy spending time with our adult and teen children whether at home or hiking the Sierra. My Christian faith grounds me in faith in our loving God who desires to bring freedom from debilitating shame and liberate us to who we truly are as made in the image of God for our good and the world's gain.
​​
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases:
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with an unfailing kindness. I will build you up again."
Jeremiah 31:3-4
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Contact Christy:
(916) 837-3827
(Text or call)