Train as a Spiritual Director & Supervisor
Encounter
For over a decade LCSD has formed people from across the UK and Europe to be Spiritual Directors and to learn the art of spiritual accompaniment. It was developed out of over 25 years of prior experience and teaching in what was then the London Diocesan Course in Spiritual Direction.
Encounter is a three year formation programme with a blended-learning format, meeting both online and in -person. The ability to attend three in person days per year in London is essential.
It draws its inspiration from ancient and contemporary wisdom 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 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.
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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.
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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.
During this year, students are supported in beginning to offer spiritual direction to others if this has not already begun. The foundations of good practice are established.
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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.
Refresher Course for Spiritual Directors
We offer an annual programme for trained Spiritual Directors who would like a refresher, perhaps if you have not been practising for a while.
It will be held once a month for six months via Zoom and will be highly experiential: a large part of each morning will be devoted to practice sessions with observation and feedback from tutors and peers.
There will also be input and discussion on topics such as:
Revisiting the basic tools and skills of spiritual direction
Current recommendations for good practice
Developing as a reflexive practitioner
Reviving our creativity as spiritual directors
How to get started again after a break in practice
And space for your own questions and concerns.
Run over 6 months
£250/person
If you’d like to be notified about future courses please fill out the form below.
Supervision Training
Supervision of spiritual directors is an important and creative ministry. We offer training for experienced spiritual directors who feel drawn to grow in their offerings.
If you’d like to be notified about future courses please fill out the form below.
At LCSD
Our course is for experienced spiritual directors to learn how to support and supervise others. The course is both theoretical and practical and will cover:
definitions of supervision
preparation and contract
the tasks and skills required
the different areas of focus
models and stages of supervision
creative supervision.
This allows attendees time to put into practice what we learn and discuss during the first three days and return to the group with reflections and experiences specific to the training.
The course is delivered online across three days and with a follow up day a few months later.
Next Training
Date: This years training has finished but the course will be back September 2025
Bespoke Training
We also offer personalised training for our partners and dioceses where we will create a bespoke training course/programme depending on your needs. For further conversation contact us.
Safeguarding Bolt On
We offer an annual interactive seminar designed specifically for exploring the dynamics and applications of safeguarding within Spiritual Direction.
The event includes input, discussion and case studies.
Attendees must have completed Safeguarding Training (at least C1) before attending this as it assumes that the basics have been completed elsewhere. (See https://thirtyoneeight.org/training/ as our recommended supplier for online training, or consult your diocese.) If you are a member of LCSD you receive a 10% discount on thirtyoneeight trainings.