Certificate in Spiritual Direction
Everyone longs to go deeper with Jesus in emotional health and loving relationships.
But many are derailed by stress overload, discouragement, or spiritual dryness. And their efforts to be healthier and more loving get hijacked by unconscious self-defeating patterns.
They need the compassionate listening, care, and guidance of a spiritual director trained in Jesus-centered psychology and spirituality.
You can be that spiritual director, assisting the Spirit of Jesus to minister God’s empathy, grace, and wisdom to people who are struggling or stuck in their spiritual journey. Plus you can earn side-income from this ministry or qualify for a better job.
Drs. Bill and Kristi Gaultiere have trained thousands of people like you in their Jesus-centered psychology and spirituality that is the foundation of the Certificate in Spiritual Direction program offered by the Soul Shepherding Institute.
About the Spiritual Direction Training Program
Like many people, you may be asking how you can become a spiritual director. This spiritual direction training program is our answer.
In this two-year journey with a community of mentors and friends you will be equipped to begin a professional practice as a spiritual director or to bring excellent spiritual direction skills into your church, mission, nonprofit ministry, or other job.
Over 200 students have graduated or will soon graduate from our spiritual direction training program. We expect more than 80 students for the next class. Our students include pastors, missionaries, church workers, ministry spouses, coaches, business leaders, and other leaders.
People choose this program for:
- Certificate in spiritual direction that integrates Jesus-centered psychology
- Focus on empathy in spiritual direction
- Integrating spiritual, emotional, and relational health
- Learning new spiritual disciplines like contemplative prayer
- Immersive retreats with other leaders like you
- Live supervision for encouragement and honing your skills
- Exceeds the spiritual direction training guidelines of the ESDA
- Flexibility of 100% online or hybrid with residential retreats
Program Benefits
- Certificate in spiritual direction that integrates Jesus-centered psychology
- Deep-spirited community with leaders like you
- Immersive retreats and experiential learning
- Supervision for encouragement and honing your skills
- 100% online or hybrid with four residential retreats and online classes
- Meets the guideline of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors’ Association (ESDA)
- Eligible to apply to serve as a Sr. Spiritual Director on the Soul Shepherding staff
Try Our Courses Today
You can get taste of the training program by being “in the classroom” with Bill, Kristi, and other spiritual direction training instructors through these recorded class video trainings.
Certificate Program Training Components
Institute Retreats in a community of about 30 fellow soul shepherds
Online Classes and supervision groups (90-minutes each month)
Practicum experiences to practice spiritual direction ministry and receive support from your supervisor and peers
12 or more meetings with one of Soul Shepherding’s Sr. Spiritual Directors
The Spiritual Direction certificate program also includes 14 assigned books* to read/review (from the Soul Shepherding reading list that informed the curriculum), 5 reflection papers, and 1 individual supervision meeting (with the option to add more).
We provide you with a Certificate Completion Planner that makes it easy for you to track your progress and earn your certificate.
Spiritual Direction Training Faculty
What people are saying....
It was so very helpful for me to read your book "Journey of the Soul" and to realize that everything I was feeling (and doubting!) was a normal part of going deeper into life with Jesus. God has really used the Institute to solidify in my heart what following Jesus in the next phase of life can look like. My passion for serving God's people is renewed!
“I wish every pastor and ministry leader could benefit from Bill and Kristi's ministry!"
After only one year in the program, my life has changed dramatically. I've experienced healing from a long season of church hurt and am experiencing the joys of a life yoked with Jesus. I've made soul friendships in the program that I know will last into eternity. And I am being equipped for my calling in Christ to help others in their journeys!"
“I have never felt so listened to and cared for as when I talked with Dave on the Soul Shepherding staff. Meeting with him for Spiritual Direction changed my insides. It changed how I operate and function as a pastor. Now, after going through the Institute and certificate program, I get to serve as a Spiritual Director for others!”
Soul Shepherding is so powerful [and shows us] this other side of developing the leadership of our heart and our soul… That’s the part that I’ve been missing. That’s the part that makes leadership flourish.
Schedule
Starts March 1st each year.
- In addition to the online program, all four Soul Shepherding Institute retreats need to be completed to earn a certificate.
Cost
$369* per month for 24 months (this includes fees for the required 4 Institute retreats).
A $100 non-refundable enrollment fee will be collected if you are accepted to the program.
*Additional costs for spiritual direction sessions, books, and a private room on retreats
** Pastors and missionaries can apply for partial scholarship assistance
Additional Questions? Talk to Us!
You can connect with a member of our team via email or Zoom!
