One is a sacrament of forgiveness. One is an ongoing experience of reflection. I see them as complementary as well. Sister Arcaro said that spiritual direction encourages growth in awareness of God's lavish love and intimate involvement in our lives. Such awareness also reveals where our attitudes, opinions and sinfulness limit our response to God's generosity.
Reconciliation is an opportunity for forgiveness, but also for renewal of spirit.
The image of reconciliation that I love, and which includes spiritual direction, is the story of The Prodigal Son. The father sees him from a distance. He doesn't wait for a confession. He runs, kisses him, leads him home. Father Anthony Delisi, OCSO, a monk at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers, acts as a spiritual director to many people.