Encounter

Are you or someone you know interested in training as a spiritual director?

Our Approach

Encounter is a formation programme in spiritual accompaniment. It draws its inspiration from ancient and contemporary practice in Christian spiritual direction, modern psychological insights and the gifts and challenges of social diversity.

Encounter is an ecumenical programme rooted in the Christian tradition and is open to all from whatever background who want to explore and develop their vocation in helping others discern and respond to God’s Spirit in everyday life.

Encounter is an experiential and practical programme led by an experienced team of spiritual directors with related expertise and training, including theology, pastoral care, Christian spirituality and psychotherapy. It is a hybrid model that is taught online and with three in person days per year in London, which are essential to attend.

We offer:

Clear, committed and respectful guidance in the art of spiritual direction.

Teaching from a variety of perspectives encompassing the breadth of the Christian tradition

A balance of teaching seminars, small group work and supervised practice building on 25 years of the London Course in Spiritual Direction.

A three year, structured programme comprising six modules and three Saturday intensive each year. Sessions run weekly from 6-9pm.

Applications for 2025/26 are now open.

You bring:

A sense of vocation to the ministry of spiritual direction and some experience of being in direction/accompaniment;

Commitment to being in ongoing and regular spiritual direction throughout the programme;

Willingness to give time to complete recommended reading, journal reflections each week and assignments as given;

Willingness to participate in peer and self-evaluation; collecting evidence of progress and feedback in a portfolio of learning;

Ability and intention to attend all sessions.

Overview of the course

Year 1: Encounter the tradition

  • The first year sets the foundation for all that follows, it is a year of ongoing and genuine discernment of vocation to the ministry of spiritual direction, setting personal exploration within the context of the tradition.

    The seminars include teaching on: the history of the Christian tradition, the nature of spiritual direction, prayerful discernment, key theological themes, patterns of spiritual growth and contemplative listening.

    The work in small groups is primarily experiential and students keep a reflective journal throughout. There is recommended reading and regular assignments.

  • The year: Christian Spirituality, Key Theological Themes, Foundations in Listening and Discernment.

    Small group focus: Sharing and Contemplative Listening.

    Intensive Day: Our Own Spiritual Journey.

  • Interview and acceptance onto the programme.

Year 2: Encounter the self

  • The second year encourages self-awareness and explores significant psychological insights relevant to spiritual direction including psycho-spiritual development, the ‘shadow’, sexuality, depression and ‘dark night’, mid-life issues, themes of ageing, mourning and loss. All themes are looked at though the lens of Christian scripture and theology. Considerable time will be taken in the development of good listening skills and practice.

  • The year: Key Psychological Insights, Growth in Self-Awareness and Prayer, Development of Listening Skills.

    Small group focus: Discussion and Practice Sessions.

    Intensive Day: The Shadow Self.

  • Successful completion of Year One and recommendation to continue from the Year leader; receiving regular spiritual direction.

Year 3: Encounter the other

  • The third year reflects upon important social themes including working with difference, social justice, mental health and spirituality, addictions, the interfaith dialogue and eco-spirituality; using the wisdom of the Christian tradition to illuminate these themes. It explores the different contemporary expressions of spiritual direction and provides tutorial supervision for students’ work in spiritual direction.

  • The year: Political and Social Connections, Growth in Empathy, Creative Expressions of Spiritual Direction.

    Small group focus:Case Study and Supervision.

    Intensive Day: Hospitality in Spiritual Direction.

  • Successful completion of Year Two and recommendation to continue from the Year Leader; receiving regular spiritual direction; giving regular spiritual direction to at least two people who are significantly different from each other in some way e.g. gender, race, background, stage of spiritual development.

FAQs

Is Encounter online or in person?

Encounter is a blended-learning format. The format consists of three Saturday intensives in London at the beginning, middle and end of the year. Those run from 11am – 7pm inclusive of an evening meal together. These are essential to attend.

All other sessions are run online from 6-9 pm. Year One runs on a Tuesday evening, Year Two on Wednesday evening and Year Three on Thursday evening.

When does Encounter start ?

The year runs from October to end of June, with breaks between modules (not always coinciding with school half-terms).

How much does Encounter cost?

Current fees per year are £1,600 and arrangements can be made to pay in instalments if needed. Information about possible bursaries on request.

Meet the Tutors

  • Trevor Mapstone

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 1

    Trevor combines spiritual direction with serving in pastoral work. He has spent his life in encouraging others to grow in authentic, creative, nuanced, open-minded Christian faith. He trained on Encounter and is a passionate advocate of its style and approach.

  • Shelly King

    TUTOR YEAR 1

    Shelly hails from Canada where she trained as a spiritual director with the FCJ (Faithful Companions of Jesus) in Calgary, Alberta. She loves all the various ways this ministry is offered, whether in groups, one-to-one, on weeks of accompanied prayer or in retreat settings. Things that bring her joy include teaching, singing, being on the water and watching her granddaughter grow.

  • Nick George

    TUTOR YEAR 1

    Nick has joined the Year 1 teaching team having himself been trained on the Encounter Course. He now combines his experience and practice of pastoral ministry with a ministry of spiritual direction.

  • Charles Hippsley

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 2

    Charles comes from a background in business and church leadership. In 2012, he joined the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity to lead the Work Forum. He also works as a Spiritual Director and teaches on the second year of the Encounter course. Charles lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, Mary, and loves to discover and share practical insights into engaging with God, self and others in daily life.

  • Nicola Smedley

    TUTOR YEAR 2

    Nicola trained on Encounter and has a passion for its slow formation process, held within a supportive community. Nicola is drawn to one to one accompaniment. She lives this calling both as a spiritual director, a companion for the faith journey towards a deepening of our relationship with God and a freedom to be our true selves; and as a singing teacher, another great journey towards discovering our true, free voice.

  • Kate Pozzo

    TUTOR YEAR 2

    Kate trained in spiritual direction on the Encounter course and is passionate about supporting others on their spiritual journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and formation. She enjoys facilitating spaces for listening, encouraging reflection, creativity, and connection, and noticing the sacred in everyday life.

    Kate combines her experience and practice in spiritual direction with her day- to-day as an integrative counsellor and in pastoral supervision. Previously, she worked as a graphic designer in the public and third sector and was actively involved in pastoral ministry, church planting in Surrey and serving in a multicultural church in Southwest London. Kate now lives in Northumberland with Johnny, her husband, and when the opportunity presents itself, finds joy in walking and praying along the coastal pilgrim pathways. She finds inspiration in the ebb and flow of the tides, reflecting the rhythm of prayer, work, and Sabbath rest.

  • Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 3

    Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen is a Spiritual Director and Pilgrim Guide, particularly working with people in the first half of life and those experiencing faith shifts. She is passionate about seeking the sacred in the ordinary and, through her work, hopes to facilitate ever-deeper connection with God, our most authentic selves, and all of creation. Previously, she worked in communications and leadership in the NGO sector. She lives in Denmark with her husband and two children, and travels back to the UK regularly for work and family.

  • Maria Manuela Silva

    TUTOR YEAR 3 & ENCOUNTER DIRECTOR

    Born in Lisbon, Maria has lived all her adult life in London. Maria hopes to have gained knowledge and wisdom from having studied Theology and Human Geography and trained as a Spiritual Director as well as raising a family, working in a secondary school in Brixton and being involved in church ministry in some of the most economically and ethnically diverse London boroughs. Maria is passionate about human flourishing, spiritual formation and her three grandchildren!

  • Linda Hopkins

    TUTOR YEAR 3

    Linda has experience working in a variety of church and community settings, including serving churches and communities as youth worker, educator, and minister. 

    She now works in a freelance capacity providing spiritual direction, coaching and mentoring, and facilitating group workshops and retreats.  She lives in the North West of England, and is passionate about listening deeply and supporting people to flourish. 

Register your interest.

Application process for Encounter starts in the spring ,with interviews happening from spring through the summer. If you would like to register your interest please fill out the form below.