What does Interfaith Mean?
What is an Interfaith Minister?
The "Golden Rule is Universal"
What is Spiritual Direction?
About Rev. Dr. Valerie Galante
Services Offered and Fees
12 Faith Prayers for Peace
Inspirational Quotes
World Religions
Finding Your Way Newsletter
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Rev. Dr. Valerie Galante
I am an Interfaith Minister ordained by the All Faiths Seminary International located in New York City, NY after completing three years of interfaith ministry preparation and receiving a Master's Degree in Spiritual Counseling. I am qualified to provide Spiritual Direction to people of every religion and faith tradition. While at seminary, I studied the sacred texts and philosophies of all the worlds' faith traditions including Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Shamanism, and Native American Spirituality, along with other world religions. In addition to focusing on the esoteric aspects of religion, a large part of my seminary training involved directly experiencing religious services of all faiths. As such, I regularly attended services for all denominations at churches, synagogues, temples and mosques. My seminary training also involved learning the principles and practices of spiritual guidance, counseling and direction for people seeking answers about G-d, life and other existential/transpersonal questions, but also as a means to address specific issues such as grief, death and dying.
I am a Spiritual Director who utilizes the Rules for Discerning Spirits developed by St. Ignatius as one method in providing spiritual guidance to those who seek it. I am strongly committed to serving people of all faiths, to encouraging multicultural sensitivity, and to promoting the values of health, peace, mindfulness, tolerance, nonviolence, and reverence for all living beings. In my practice and in my life, I strive to integrate mind, body, spirit, and nature. I am a member of the Association of Interfaith Ministers and of Spiritual Directors International (SDI). I abide by SDI's Code of Ethics, as well as my own personal, spiritual code of ethics.
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and have been providing assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to individuals, families, and groups since 1986. Prior to becoming an Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Director, I attended an APA-accredited program and earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University in New York and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine from Michigan State University.
I am also trained in the Usui method as a Level II Reiki Practitioner. Being able to heal the physical body using spiritual energy is a vital part of being consistent with and true to my beliefs in holistic health and the integration of mind, body, and spirit.
" Do not believe anything on the mere authority
of teachers or priests. Accept as true and as the
guide to your life only that which accords with
your own reason and experience, after thorough
investigation. Accept only that which contributes
to the well-being of yourself and others." Buddha VITAE |
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