SCHOOLS FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS

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.

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, triggered memories 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 come alongside. We also think it helps you grow as a human being in general.
Any spiritual director practicing “good and safe practice” will see a Supervisor, a minimum of quarterly. If you are reading this and you don’t have a supervisor, feel free to reach out to us. We can connect you with a directory of Supervisors we have trained.

At Sustainable Faith, our hands-on, cohort-style of learning has made us one of the leading trainers of spiritual directors. 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.