Business Details
36 Years
experience
Spiritual Direction for Grief, Loss & Discernment
Laura A. Thor, DMin, LCSW, has dedicated over 35 years to guiding individuals through profound spiritual and emotional challenges. With a foundation in Catholic theology, a doctorate in non-denominational pastoral ministry, and advanced training in spiritual direction, she combines clinical expertise with compassionate mentorship. Her practice addresses complex grief, suicide loss, forgiveness, and spiritual discernment, informed by decades of work with transgender individuals and those navigating religious trauma.Laura's approach honors diverse spiritual paths, emphasizing self-compassion, authenticity, and the integration of psychological and spiritual well-being. Her work has influenced religious leaders to adopt more inclusive perspectives on gender and spirituality, establishing her as a trusted guide for those seeking meaning in life's most difficult moments.
Services
Spiritual Direction
Grief Counseling
Suicide Loss Support
Transgender Spiritual Guidance
Spiritual Discernment
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of experience in spiritual and therapeutic counseling
- Pioneering work in transgender spiritual care and gender dysphoria
- Specialized support for suicide loss survivors
- Doctorate in Ministry and Licensed Clinical Social Work credentials
- Integrates Jungian thought and interfaith perspectives into practice
Associations and certifications
- American Association of Pastoral Counselors
- Fund for Theological Education
- Spiritual Directors International
What people say
Deeply understood
Felt peaceful
Guidance in grief
Compassionate listener
Transformative insights
Services
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction provides a contemplative space to explore your inner life and relationship with the sacred. Through monthly sessions, clients examine spiritual wounds, discern life choices, and cultivate practices that deepen self-awareness and connection to transcendent values. This non-therapeutic, non-judgmental process supports individuals of all faith backgrounds in discovering their authentic spiritual path.
Suicide Loss Support
Specialized support for those navigating the complex grief of suicide loss. This service combines psychological insights with spiritual exploration to help survivors process guilt, find meaning, and rebuild their relationship with life. Drawing on personal experience and professional expertise, guidance focuses on healing without forced closure while honoring the deceased's unique story.
Transgender Spiritual Care
Spiritual direction tailored to transgender individuals seeking alignment between their faith journey and gender identity. This service addresses religious trauma, explores sacred texts through inclusive lenses, and supports spiritual growth during transition. Grounded in WPATH standards, it helps clients navigate doctrinal conflicts while cultivating self-acceptance and connection to divine love.
Spiritual Discernment
A contemplative process for major life decisions, combining prayerful reflection with psychological insight. Clients explore vocational choices, relationship challenges, and ethical dilemmas through the lens of their deepest values. This service helps distinguish between fear-based reactions and soul-guided direction, fostering clarity and courage for transformative choices.
Religious Trauma Recovery
Support for individuals healing from harmful religious experiences. This service examines how rigid doctrines impact self-worth and spirituality, guiding clients toward a more compassionate, authentic faith framework. Techniques include reinterpreting sacred narratives, establishing healthy spiritual boundaries, and reconnecting with transcendent love beyond institutional constraints.
People
Laura A. Thor
Spiritual Director & Therapist
Dr. Laura Thor, DMin, LCSW, is a spiritual director with 35+ years of experience in mental health and interfaith counseling. She specializes in suicide loss, transgender spiritual care, and religious trauma recovery, blending clinical expertise with contemplative practice. Her groundbreaking work has influenced inclusive approaches to gender and spirituality in faith communities.
Questions
What happens in a spiritual direction session?
Sessions involve contemplative dialogue exploring your spiritual experiences, challenges, and growth. We'll examine prayer practices, life decisions, and sacred questions through a non-judgmental, supportive lens.
How does spiritual direction differ from therapy?
Spiritual direction focuses specifically on your relationship with the sacred and spiritual growth, while therapy addresses psychological health. Our sessions prioritize discerning divine presence in daily life.
Do I need a specific religion to benefit?
No religious affiliation is required. Spiritual direction welcomes all perspectives, helping you explore what spirituality means personally, whether through traditional faith or secular frameworks.
Can you help with grief from suicide loss?
Yes, I specialize in suicide loss support, combining psychological understanding with spiritual exploration to help survivors process complex emotions and rebuild their relationship with life.
How do you support transgender individuals?
I provide gender-affirming spiritual guidance informed by WPATH standards, helping clients navigate religious trauma, explore sacred texts inclusively, and cultivate self-acceptance aligned with their authentic identity.
What if I struggle with traditional concepts of God?
We'll explore your spiritual questions honestly, whether reinterpreting traditional concepts or developing new frameworks that resonate with your personal experiences and values.
