What Is A Spiritual Director Trained In?
One of the questions people have when searching for a Spiritual Director is that they would like to know how they are trained. The reality is that almost anyone can call themselves a spiritual director. Unlike therapists or counselors, a Spiritual Director is not licensed with their state government. Spiritual Direction still functions as a ministry, often times based in a church or as a part of a para-church organization.
A person who feels called or guided to this ministry may seek out any form of training. In the Catholic tradition, Spiritual Directors are often trained in the Ignatian practices. These classic discernment practices help them become great spiritual guides. A spiritual director from this tradition has very likely spent significant time with spiritual practice themselves.
As Christian Spiritual Direction moved out of the monastery (read more about that here) seminaries recognized that spiritual formation was being guided by both pastors and lay people and so they began developing programs to bring training or some sort of certifying process for people called to this ministry.
The course of study often includes listening skills, spiritual practices, discernment, the fruits of the spirit, spiritual noticing, presence and other areas of emphasis. All of this work in the directors own life is implemented so that they are able to be present and help guide someone else’s process by having walked their own road. It is often said that you cannot walk with someone to a place that you have been unwilling to go in your own life. So much of the training of a spiritual director has to do with their own inner work.
Many Spiritual Directors also continue their education and study as they earn a series of “badges” or degrees. They may have emphasis in dreams, the Enneagram, Grief, Trauma, Pastoral Counseling, Chaplaincy, and many other options. So the answer to this question of “What Is A Spiritual Director Trained In” one would have to say that they should at minimum carry a mark of several years of training specifically in a spiritual direction program or something adjacent. Typically from their they add onto their basic study.
Who Needs
A Spiritual Director?
For many people, hearing God in the midst of their daily life is difficult. If you are ready to commit some intentional time to really listening then you are ready for spiritual direction. (Read More)
Is Spiritual Direction Confidential?
Each spiritual direction session is unique and often led primarily by the person seeking direction. Each session is also confidential and is an intentional time of listening by the director and directee meant to focus on the movement of God in the life of a person. (Read More)
How Do You Prepare To Meet With A Spiritual Director?
Approaching your first meeting with a spiritual director may feel daunting. To help ease your concerns and make the most of this opportunity, we present essential insights on how to prepare for this significant encounter. (Read More)