Retreat House

View Original

Dr. Troy Caldwell

Troy Caldwell, M.D. joined the RH Board of Directors in January, 2023. For nearly four decades, Troy has been a shepherd of souls. From 1981 through August of 2016, he practiced this shepherding in the Dallas and North Texas area as a psychiatrist. While practicing, he learned much through his role as a psychotherapist and medical healer.  In addition, he was privileged to study and ultimately teach the ancient traditions of soul work called Spiritual Direction  He studied and taught this at the Anglican School of Theology in Dallas. 

Spiritual direction is the practice of walking with people as they deepen their relationship with the divine. The person seeking direction shares stories of his or her encounters of the divine or how they are cultivating a life attuned to spiritual things. The director listens and asks questions to assist the directee in his or her process of reflection and spiritual growth. Through this collaborative process, a soul friendship is forged and all are changed, healed, and matured.

A particular interest of Dr. Caldwell’s is the appreciation of ways Jungian and depth psychology shed light on the spiritual path. In 2015, he published a book addressing this topic titled  Adventures in Soulmaking: Stories and Principles of Spiritual Formation and Depth Psychology. The book is available on Amazon.com, and portions are found on his website at troycaldwell.com. Dream analysis and synthesis can play a significant role for the spiritual journey of many. Dr. Caldwell’s Jungian background benefits him in this skill. He led a course titled Interpreting Dreams for the Spiritual Journey for Retreat House via Zoom. He also taught a course on Jungian archetypes in the spiritual life. You will also at times find him serving and eating homemade soup on Wednesdays. 

Healing of serious post-traumatic stress was a significant portion of Dr. Caldwell’s work as a psychiatrist. Though spiritual formation is not primarily focused on this, working with traumatic memories can be a part of spiritual healing and growth. Dr. Caldwell is willing to guide a person to the healer within using Inner Healing Prayer or other techniques if that is appropriate and of interest.

Though Dr. Caldwell’s tradition is Christian, he is a student of the perennial philosophy and welcomes open-heartedly seekers of all faiths.   He is studied in metaphysical dimensions of spirituality.                  

Explore more of Dr. Caldwell’s work and writing on his website. Or, contact him to discuss spiritual direction at 214-417-4386 or troyrpa@yahoo.com