Apprenticeship is how training in spiritual direction has been done for centuries. This ancient method is now portable and highly personalized thanks to the ease of online meetings. I have been training apprentices since 2019. Phoenix Spiritual Direction Center Apprenticeship Training Programwe use a curriculum I created that focuses on the foundational skills needed to give spiritual direction, and due to popularity we have added two additional mentors/trainers to meet the need.
What is an apprenticeship?
Spiritual direction apprentices learn from experienced directors who are also excellent teachers, and like apprentices in other service professions, they learn not only from instruction but also from supervised practice in the field.
Who is a suitable candidate for an apprenticeship?
If you have a strong desire to be a spiritual director and have been one for some time, you should consider undergoing any training possible, including an apprenticeship. Phoenix Spiritual Direction Center Apprenticeship Training Program We seek participants who have already completed a number of spiritual formation efforts (as we focus on skills rather than formation). Good candidates include those with a background in spiritual formation, retreats, and religious education (self-study or otherwise). Apprentices include laypeople, clergy, pastors, life coaches, executive coaches, seminary students, seminary professors, mental health professionals, people with medical backgrounds, and more. Spiritual directors in training come from a myriad of religious and spiritual traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Sufism, Buddhism, a mix of two or more traditions, and “spiritual but not religious.” If you want to know if you’re ready to be an apprentice in this field, talk to a spiritual director and explore the possibilities.
Benefits of apprenticeships
There are many ways to train as a spiritual leader, but most of the training takes place within a group. Flexibility is a priority. Apprentices cannot take time off to participate in the program. In my program, apprentices and mentors decide when they meet – mornings, evenings, weekends, etc. Mentors and apprentices can easily reschedule classes if life demands disrupt their plans. Apprentices can progress through the program at whatever pace works best for them – from as little as nine months to as many as several years.
Apprentices also benefit financially, as there are little to no overhead costs for trainers, and these programs are typically more affordable than traditional programs.
What I hear from graduates of my apprenticeship program is that what they especially appreciate is the one-on-one instruction and the ability for their trainer to dig deeper into areas where they need a little more guidance.
How to Find a Mentor
There are several apprenticeship programs out there, so search the internet to find one. Contact the director using the contact form on their website and interview the person who will be mentoring you and ask lots of questions. Find out what words like practicum (practical experience in spiritual direction) mean and how it is done. In my program, the apprentice finds a mentoree (client) who is willing to be videotaped several times so the trainer can see how the apprentice interacts with the mentoree. Make sure the program includes supervision. Supervision is a case study discussion based on something that happened during the session that the apprentice needs to understand more fully. It usually centers around the apprentice’s emotional response to the material covered in spiritual direction. Don’t pay for a program that doesn’t offer or require supervision of the practicum experience.
Apprenticeship outcomes
Graduates of apprenticeship programs receive the same certificate as graduates of traditional programs. There is no standard certification or evaluation for spiritual directors. However, people looking for spiritual directors often want someone with training.
We look forward to hearing from you by email. Phoenix Spiritual Direction Center Apprenticeship Training Program Please contact me through the contact section of my webpage or at teresa@teresablythe.net and I hope we can find a program that perfectly suits your needs.
Source: Spiritual Direction 101 – www.patheos.com
