Supervision Training

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Receiving regular supervision is a key ethical practice for spiritual directors at all stages of their development. Sustainable Faith trains new supervisors as part of our commitment to raising up healthy spiritual directors who feel supported in their professional and spiritual growth over a lifetime.

Our fully online supervision training is an expertly guided year-long cohort learning experience marked by solid instruction, rich discussions, and individual oversight.

Supervision

What is Supervision

Supervision entails the practice of reflecting contemplatively on one’s work as a spiritual director, noticing interior movements and the action of God in the context of a specific session. The supervisor is an experienced spiritual director specifically trained to assist in this contemplative and evocative process. In the words of author Mary Rose Bumpus, “Supervision is a conversation between peers that ultimately fosters the wellbeing of the absent other.”

Why Train With Us?

At Sustainable Faith, our hands-on, cohort-style of learning has made us one of the leading trainers of spiritual directors in the United States and beyond. We bring the same time-tested, learn-by-doing stance to our Supervision training: Small class sizes, relevant reading, evocative learning, and an emphasis on group and individual practice in an environment of mutual support and personal instruction.

Pre-requisites:

  • Minimum 3 years spiritual direction experience and 150 sessions post-graduation
  • Regular rhythm of receiving spiritual direction and supervision.

Instructors

  • Sharon Wada
  • Steve Summerell
  • Danny Mullins
  • Janice Tarleton
  • Clara and Randy Maranville

Why is Supervision Important?

The short answer: Spiritual directors are humans and, as such, are NOT detached observers. In companioning others on their journey with God, spiritual directors encounter painful stories and situations, a plethora of complex issues, intense emotions, unanswerable questions, moral dilemmas and more. They are deeply affected by what they hear – in helpful and unhelpful ways – and need a place to explore their inner movements and resulting responses in a safe, confidential space.

The bottom line: Supervision helps spiritual directors grow in self-awareness, self-understanding and interior freedom which leads to an expanded capacity to be present and attentive to those they serve.

Additionally, many professional networks and associations - including our affiliate network - include regular supervision as a “best practice” for spiritual directors.

Our Three-Component Training Model

Two-day Opening Teaching Module:

The combination of instruction, demonstrations, guided exercises, discussion, and practicums offer a firm foundation in Supervision using a contemplative, evocative model.

Fieldwork & Six Individual Supervision / Consultation Sessions

In between modules, students “practice” on two to three spiritual directors, reviewing six of these sessions in one-on-one consultations with two mentor-trainers. Combined with classroom time, each student will receive oversight on a total of 8-10 supervision sessions.

Two-day Final Teaching Module

More instruction, reflection, discussion, practicums, as well as consideration of ethical and practical considerations of a Supervision practice, bring training to a close.

If you're interested in establishing a class in your area, we’re interested in talking with you! Contact us


Online Cohorts


*Hybrid cohorts meet in person for 2 of the 5 gatherings, while the other gatherings are held online

Supervision Cost Overview

Total cost of the training is $2,100 plus books. A $500 deposit is required to secure your place in the cohort. $100 is non-refundable. The remaining $400 deposit balance is refundable up to the start of the cohort.