Choosing a Spiritual Direction Training Program

People wanting to become spiritual directors need training. So how does one find the right training program for themselves?

Before searching for programs, ask yourself a few questions:

• Why do I want to be a spiritual director?
• What has been my experience of being in spiritual direction? (Traditionally, programs have required applicants to have significant experience as a directee).
• How much time am I willing to devote to training?
• How much money am I willing to spend to become trained?
• What are my expectations for a program?

Spiritual Directors International (SDI Companions) recommends that a program be at least nine months in duration. You can find shorter ones that are accelerated, but most will be between 9 months and two years. There’s nothing magical about 9 months or 2 years. What I suggest you look for in a program is one that requires you do several months of spiritual direction with at least two clients as practicum (sometimes referred to as internship)—and that the practicum includes supervision of each one of those spiritual direction sessions. This is the best, perhaps only way to truly learn the art of spiritual direction. By doing.

Any program you enlist with should include presentations, lectures, reading assignments and discussion before you begin this practicum piece. Find a program that teaches you not only history and philosophy behind spiritual direction, but also practical skills, which are:

• How to deeply listen for the spiritual dimension of the directee’s story.
• Appropriate ways to respond to what you hear and notice.
• How to handle sticky ethical situations.

Once you have gathered the information about what you are needing in a program, it’s time to begin the search. Internet searches are how most people do their research, although word of mouth recommendations from people who have gone through training programs is extremely valuable.

More questions to ask yourself:

• Do I need a program that has a cohort of people who I study with?
• Should I find one that is online or in person—or perhaps a hybrid?
• How much flexibility do I need? Is my life in a place where I can reasonably set aside particular days or weeks for programs that meet with cohorts? (It is difficult to make up lectures and discussions if you can’t attend when live presentations are being made to the class.)
• Do I require a program to have a particular point of view? Some people want Catholic programs; some want interfaith ones; others look for evangelical Christian points of view. You need to find one that fits for you or you will be uncomfortable with the language or philosophy much of the time.

In the world of spiritual direction training, many programs begin with formation—inner work and education that seeks to help you grow into the role of spiritual director—and then move into skills-based training. If  you are just looking for formation, you might be interested in signing up for a program that spends a year in formation and just take the first year.

However, if you have already done a lot of spiritual formation work over the years (this would likely include people who go on or lead retreats regularly, people in ministry, and seminary graduates) you might look for a program that goes directly to the practical skills piece of training. [Full disclosure: the Apprentice Training Program I created and offer accepts applicants who have already done formation and spends the full 9 months in skills based training.]

It’s not that one kind of program is better than another. It’s that you need to find the right one for you.

Here are the types of programs out there (this list may not be all inclusive)

• Apprentice – You meet one-on-one with an experienced spiritual director and educator, usually live and online. This is a most flexible program since you set up meeting times that work for you. It usually does not involve a cohort or may involve just one or two other people.
• Residential – You travel to a location and study with others in a cohort the whole time. This is the least common form of program usually because of the cost of room, board and travel. But it allows you to meet people from all over the world in a cohort.
• Regional – You meet in person once a month with a cohort in your region of the country. This is a very popular model if you can work your schedule around when the program has the live, face-to-face meetings.
• Online with Cohorts – You find a program that has online conferencing and meet live at times set up by the program. You might then be put in break-out groups for more personal work.
• Hybrid – Programs that meet sometimes online and hold retreat weeks or weekends at specified times for in-person cohort work. Currently—since the pandemic—this is probably the most popular style of program.

Once you find a program you are interested in, set up a meeting with the director and discuss your background, your desire to become a spiritual director, and the particulars of their program. Make sure to cover everything you are unsure about. Ask for a few names of people who graduated from the program so you can get their perspective.

Training to be a spiritual director isn’t cheap, so take your time finding the program that is best for you. I wish you all the best in your search!

Teresa Blythe is the director of the Apprentice Training Program for Spiritual Directors at the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction. If your lifestyle requires a program that allows you to take the time you need to graduate and gives flexibility in meeting times—and if you have already done a fair amount of spiritual formation, check this program out. We have three excellent trainers and plenty of openings. Click on the above link or email me at [email protected].