Self-care for students

Graduate theological education places considerable demands on students in terms of time, attention, and focus. Navigating the complex challenges that come with balancing studies, family, employment, and other life demands can be overwhelming at times. Time management is a vital skill, as well as the ability to effectively manage interpersonal relationships in an environment where the closely held personal, spiritual, and theological beliefs of oneself and one’s peers will be challenged and stretched. We encourage students to make a frank assessment of these demands and their ability to offer sufficient attention to each and cultivate lasting networks that can provide the student with support, encouragement, and a sounding board to help with decision-making and alternative perspectives. These can include clearness and support committees within meetings and churches or formal support groups established among peers.

ESR will assist current students who desire spiritual direction by providing financial support of $25 per session for up to two sessions per semester. Talk with Jonelle Ellis for payment/reimbursement options. Students who wish to engage a spiritual director or counselor may consider the following professionals who offer their services to ESR students. 

Spiritual DirectorsFeesContact Information
Sue Kern
Sue has worked at Earlham in the Newlin Center for Quaker Studies and trained with the Benedictines at Beech Grove with further study at Mercy Center for Ignatian Spirituality.
[email protected]
Paul Eckert
Paul is a graduate of ESR and a former psychotherapist; Quaker; relational therapy (building relationships for healing); brings a very open and accepting presence to sessions.
$40 fee for one hour session; $25 for students$35 for up to a 60-minute session
Sarah Katreen Hoggatt
Sarah lives in Oregon but is available by phone or Skype.
[email protected]
Visit Website
Donna Elder
“I have been a Spiritual Director for the past 17 years. During that time, I’ve also been the co-ordinator for Mt. Gilead Friends (Quaker) Retreat, where I offer direction to retreatants. As a Quaker, I draw upon the Spirit as felt during the silence at the beginning (and often during) our sessions. I work with people from a variety of faiths and spiritual perspectives.”
[email protected]
Visit Website
Robert Kern
Interfaith minister; training with the Army Chaplaincy School and the Circle of Miracles School.
$35 for up to a 60 minute session[email protected]
267-625-4787
$40 per one-hour session + follow up email
$40 per month for up to four in depth email interactions
$20 (student) fee for one hour[email protected]
765-914-5288
Amy Gall Ritchie
MDiv, Bethany Theological Seminary 1991
DMin in Christian Spirituality, Columbia Theological Seminary 2012
Former pastor for 12 years, former Director of Student Development at Bethany Theological Seminary. Offers in-person/phone/Skype.
$40 per one-hour session + follow-up email
$40 per month for up to four in-depth email interactions
[email protected]
503-910-4523
Visit Website
Carol Sexton
MDiv, Earlham School of Religion; Two-year Spiritual Guidance Program with the Shalem Institute. For six years, provided weekly individual spiritual nurture sessions for students in the Resident Program at Pendle Hill.
$30 to $35 for an hour-long session[email protected]
66 S. 14th St. Richmond, IN or at another arranged meeting place on campus
[email protected]
Visit Website
Joel Tishken
Unitarian Universalist minister;
Certificate in pastoral care, 2016;
M.Div., Earlham School of Religion, 2018;
Ph.D. in religious history, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 2002;
resident in Richmond.
$25 per one hour session for currently enrolled students, $50 per one hour session for all others[email protected] 
765-259-2109
Susan Yanos
Susan is the former instructor for the Writing Program at ESR. She is trained with the Benedictines at Beech Grove and currently is in full time farming and spiritual direction.
765-478-5687
Area CounselorsContact Information
Centerstone–Community Mental Health Center831 Dillon Drive
765-983-8000
Toll free 24/7: 888-983-8000
James L. Girdley, LMHC
Professional Christian Counseling, Internet Counseling
325 National Road West
765-966-3113
Cindi Goslee, LISW, LCSW1121 Abington Pike Richmond, IN 47374
513-325-0680
Loretta Gula, MDiv101 Quaker Hill Drive
765-962-6997
Meridian Health Services630 E Main St. Richmond, IN 47374
765-935-5390
Student rate: sliding scale
Mary Schwendener-Holt, PhD, HSSP, MDiv103 N 15th St. Richmond, IN 47374
765-966-9000
Friday and Saturday only
Student rate: $75 per hour
Accepts most insurance plans