School of Spiritual Direction

A 2-Yr Certificate Program for Training in Spiritual Direction

THE SCHOOL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION TRAINING PROGRAM

The School of Spiritual Direction is a 2-year certificate program that prepares you to serve as a spiritual director. We have cohorts in over two dozen American cities, Canada, the UK and Europe. Our goal is make spiritual direction a normal and widely available form of pastoral care inside and outside churches.

If you’re new to the world of spiritual direction and need first to experience it and grow your understanding of the contemplative tradition, we offer an easy on-ramp with our SSD Primer. For a very reduced cost, you can meet monthly (online) with a small group to prepare for Year 1 of the School of Spiritual Direction.

SSD | Primer

Our SSD Primer gives you great preparation for our 2-Yr certificate program in spiritual direction. First, we link you with a qualified spiritual director so you have 9-12 months of receiving direction before ever beginning the Year 1. This is invaluable. Second, we guide you in a small group setting through foundational aspects of the contemplative tradition via teaching, practice, debriefings, and short readings.

SSD | Year 1

Year 1 offers participants an immersive, integrated and robust introduction to the ministry of spiritual direction. Through the combined experience of reading superb literature, engaging in individual and group exercises, paying close attention to one’s life, practicing spiritual disciplines, receiving spiritual direction and offering direction, students move toward competency as spiritual directors.

SSD | Year 2

Year 2 is for those who envision spiritual direction as central to their work. It gives participants the opportunity to go through an abbreviated version of the Ignatian Exercises together, gain significant supervised experience in offering direction, delve more fully into the theological underpinnings of spiritual direction and address special topics.

SSD | Year 3 Post-Graduate Class

Year 3 is a post-graduate class for graduated directors. This year of study is designed for those who desire additional training in the ministry of spiritual direction. As with our two-year certificate program, this course is divided equally between emphasis on and engagement with our own personal spiritual formation as well as continuing to grow in the knowledge and skills of spiritual direction. Successful completion of Yr 1 and Yr 2 and actively offering direction to others are prerequisites for this third year.

SSD | Registration Process

  1. Fill out a brief application.
  2. Have a phone conversation or online meeting with the cohort leader in your desired location.
  3. Confirm your desire to participate.
  4. Submit a deposit to secure your spot. 
  5. Because of Covid-19, check with your cohort leader about the mode of meeting (in-person or online).

Please REGISTER with the green buttons to the right.