Sally Sharpe is a Certified Spiritual Director who is passionate about companioning others on the spiritual journey, helping to guide them toward greater healing and wholeness. Believing that all people long to be seen, known, and loved, she provides a safe space for others to share their stories, explore their relationship with God, and seek a deeper connection with the One who knows them best and loves them most. Areas of special interest include journaling, storytelling for healing, Ignatian spirituality/spiritual discernment, contemplative prayer practices, the Enneagram, and inner healing (Internal Family Systems and HeartSync prayer). In addition to offering in-person and online private and group spiritual direction and facilitating workshops and retreats on a variety of topics, including the spiritual practice of journaling, Sally enjoys guiding others through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. She also partners with her husband, Neil, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to lead classes, seminars, retreats on inner healing, relationships, marriage, and parenting—as well as a marriage intensive worship weekend for couples wanting a deeper dive toward healthy connection.
Formerly, Sally was Senior Editor of Abingdon Women (published by Abingdon Press), a line of in-depth Bible studies that she created and helped to grow into a thriving line. During her many years in Christian publishing, Sally also edited a line of Christian living books and devotionals, as well as books for clergy and church leadership. Combining her skills in content development/writing, interpersonal connection, and spiritual formation, she enjoys creating experiences and resources that help others draw closer to God and become the persons God created them to be. Sally and Neil have two young adult daughters and live just outside of Nashville in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Formerly, Sally was Senior Editor of Abingdon Women (published by Abingdon Press), a line of in-depth Bible studies that she created and helped to grow into a thriving line. During her many years in Christian publishing, Sally also edited a line of Christian living books and devotionals, as well as books for clergy and church leadership. Combining her skills in content development/writing, interpersonal connection, and spiritual formation, she enjoys creating experiences and resources that help others draw closer to God and become the persons God created them to be. Sally and Neil have two young adult daughters and live just outside of Nashville in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
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Spiritual Direction
Sally received her certificate in spiritual direction from the Selah Center for Spiritual Formation (Nashville, TN), a program that consists of education, practicum, mentorship, and two residencies. Selah’s foundational focus is God as love through the lens of Christ and the tools of the Christian contemplative traditions. She also received a certificate in Ignatian Spiritual Direction from Selah after completing the year-two training program for leading the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, which included a supervised practicum. This training has prepared her to lead others in the 19th annotation, a nine-month extended personal retreat experience involving weekly prayer practices, readings, meditations, and sessions with a spiritual director. The exercises are intended to help people deepen their relationship with God as they journey with Jesus through his life, passion, and resurrection. Sally has received training from Transformation Ministries’ Identity First Conference, which focuses on barriers to experiencing connection with God and others, and two terms of their School of Transformation (one as a student and one as an intern). The School of Transformation is a deep dive into our perception of God and inner healing, including HeartSync Ministry—a tool that facilitates healing of the broken heart and enables us to live more wholeheartedly. Sally also has completed a four-month training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a transformative approach to inner healing that enables us to become integrated and whole. Areas of Interest/Practice:
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Writing / Journaling
During her many years in the Christian publishing industry, Sally has been an editor, writer, ghost writer, and writing coach. She has worked on a wide spectrum of publications from Christian living/trade books to Bible studies, small group resources, and leadership books. In 2011, she helped to develop and launch Abingdon Women, a line of women’s Bible studies and books that grew into a thriving line over ten years. In this role she oversaw acquisitions, author relations, content development, and production—including video development and production. Sally is the author of Yellow Roses (Student Book): Real Girls. Real Life. Real Hope, A Moment with God for Women, and numerous study and leader guides. Through the years she has enjoyed both spiritual journaling and creative writing courses, but she is a believer in journaling and creative writing as spiritual practices and tools of inner healing because of many years of her own personal experience. One of her greatest joys is helping others to deepen their relationship with God and experience healing through journaling. 
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