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

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 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 include regular supervision as a “best practice” for spiritual directors.
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.
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 ethical and practical considerations of a Supervision practice.
Instructors
Sharon Wada | Steve Summerell
Danny Mullins | Janice Tarleton
Cost Overview
Total cost of the training is $2,100 plus books. A $500 deposit is required to secure you place in the cohort. $100 is non-refundable with the $400 deposit balance refundable up to the start of the cohort.
Locations / Dates
Registration Closed for Online Supervision Training
Limited to 12 Students
Next Supervision Training Begins August 2023
Join our email list OR for more information, contact: Janice Tarleton