Apprenticeships have been used to train in spiritual direction for centuries. This ancient method is now becoming popular again in a portable and highly personalized way thanks to the ease of online meetings. I have been training apprentices in the Phoenix Spiritual Direction Center's Apprentice Training Program since 2019 using a curriculum I created that focuses on the foundational skills needed for spiritual direction. Due to the growing popularity, I 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?
Those who have a strong desire to become a spiritual director and have actually been involved in spiritual direction for some time should consider any kind of training, including apprenticeships. At Phoenix Spiritual Direction Center, our apprenticeship training program, we seek participants who have already completed a lot of spiritual formation work (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). Apprenticeships include laypeople, clergy, pastors, life coaches, executive coaches, seminary students, seminary professors, mental health professionals, and those with medical backgrounds. 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 for an apprenticeship in this field, talk to a spiritual director to explore the possibilities.
Benefits of apprenticeships
There are many ways to train as a spiritual leader, and most are in groups, but for some, flexibility is a priority – they can't take time off to attend a 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 change. Learning in the program can proceed at a pace that works best for apprentices – from as little as nine months to as many as several years.
There are also financial benefits for apprentices, 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 they especially appreciate the one-on-one instruction and the ability of their trainers 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. Usually it is centered 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.
If you have any questions about Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction’s apprenticeship training programs, please contact us through the contact section of our webpage or email us at teresa@teresablythe.net We hope you find a program that is a perfect fit for your needs.
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