Program Overview

The Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction & Holistic Healing Training Program offers a comprehensive training experience that integrates the components of the SIIMDA Soul Care approach that include trauma processing, holistic healing practices, neuroscience, body-oriented approaches, and spiritual formation along along with components of Gestalt Soul Care approaches. This program is designed for individuals called to Jesus’ healing ministry and who desire to foster spaces of safety and healing for individuals working through trauma, emotional pain, and spiritual wounding. The inclusion of holistic healing components brings a particular focus on addressing emotional wounds, finding freedom, and reconciling broken areas of the heart and soul. 

Comprehensive Curriculum

Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to guide others in trauma-informed healing through Christian principles.

Expert Guidance

Learn from seasoned professionals in counseling, spiritual direction, and spiritual healing, ensuring you receive top-tier education.

Practical Experience

Gain practical experience and skills essential for becoming a trauma-informed spiritual director and healer.

Objectives

Participants will gain skills in trauma-informed spiritual care, deep listening, and discernment while integrating therapeutic and spiritual holistic healing practices like contemplative prayer, emotional processing, and healing through the presence of God. Focused Objectives: Establish Identity as a Trauma-Informed Spiritual Director Develop Advanced Listening Skills Cultivate Discernment and Wisdom Understand Trauma and Trauma-Focused Approaches Engage Experiential Practices for Healing and Integration Learn and Apply Gestalt Theory and Practice Integrate Body-Oriented Approaches Facilitate Holistic Healing Practices

Program Features:

1) Expert Faculty: Led by experienced spiritual directors, trauma therapists, and Gestalt practitioners who bring a unique blend of trauma-informed care, spiritual formation, and Gestalt theory. 2) Gestalt and Inner Healing Focus: Special emphasis on combining Gestalt theory’s experiential approach with inner healing prayer to create a powerful process of emotional and spiritual transformation. 3) Practical Application: Includes role-playing, experiential workshops, group dialogues, retreats, and supervised practicum sessions that focus on integrating trauma-informed, spiritual, and Gestalt practices. 4) Community and Support: Ongoing peer discussions, group supervision, and mentorship to foster growth and support participants in their own healing journeys. 5) Program Duration: The program is a two-year program that consists of 4 semesters (12 weeks each). Each semester consists of 3 modules (4 weeks each) and a 4-day, in-person, immersive experience (a total of 4). The program consists of a total of 146 hours. 6) Format: Blended learning model (in-person and online sessions), including live webinars, in-person retreats, experiential practices, and independent study. 7) Specializations: (These areas are specific specializations that students can choose, which will result in an additional certification) Sexual Addiction/Compulsivity Sexual Betrayal Trauma Sexual Abuse Spiritual Abuse/Trauma Gestalt Soul Care 8) Eligible for Independent practice as a Spiritual Director

Certificate/Certification Requirements

Completion of all core modules and readings. Participation in experiential practices, retreats, and peer supervision. Completion of 146 hours for total program including 10 hours of supervised practicum in trauma-informed spiritual direction and Gestalt practices. Final project or integrative paper demonstrating practical and theoretical understanding of the program. All students completing the program will receive a Certificate in Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction.  Students who complete the specialization in sexual addiction/Sexual Betrayal will also be Certified as a SIIMDA Soul Care Practitioner.  Students who complete the electives in Gestalt Soul Care will also be granted a Gestalt Soul Care Certification.

This Training is for:

Counselors, social workers, therapists, spiritual directors, chaplains, pastors, church leaders, and anyone with a passion and calling for guiding others through trauma-informed Christian healing. Join us on a transformative journey to become a trauma-informed spiritual director and healer. 

The syllabus

12 Chapters · 18 Lessons

  1. 1

    Module One: Introduction to Spiritual Direction & Spiritual Practices

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  2. 2

    Module Two: Gestalt Through a Spiritually Integrated Lens

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  3. 3

    Module Three: Understanding Trauma & Neuroscience

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  4. 4

    Module Four: Presence & Listening Skills

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  5. 5

    Module Five: Creating Experiments and Cultivating Discernment & Attunement

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  6. 6

    Module Six: Benchmark Process

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  7. 7

    Module 7: Group Process

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  8. 8

    Module 8: Working with Abuse: Spiritual and Sexual

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  9. 9

    Module 9: Understanding and Working with Addiction

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson

  10. 10

    Module 10: Practicum and Specialization Modules I

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      SIIMDA: Understanding and Working with Sexual Addiction

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Advanced Spiritual Direction

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Gestalt Soul Care Advanced Experiments

  11. 11

    Module 11: Practicum and Specialization Modules II

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      SIIMDA: Understanding and Working with Betrayal Trauma

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Advanced Spiritual Direction: Beyond the Beginnings

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Gestalt Soul Care: Coaching Approaches

  12. 12

    Module 12: Practicum and Specialization Modules III

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      SIIMDA: Marital Repair After Betrayal

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Advanced Spiritual Direction: Healing Liturgies in Spiritual Direction

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Gestalt Soul Care: Advanced Aesthetic Principles

How to Apply: 

Apply by going to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejMppFh8gphIziTOPUx22061tZjEVLrFfzhJ4LCRhxc69l4w/viewform Or visit https://www.siimdasoulcare.com/spiritual-direction-program and click on the "Apply" button. 

Program Costs:

Program Tuition Cost: $2,375 per semester (the program is two years consisting of four semesters). Additional costs: learning materials, retreat participation, travel, lodging, and supervision. Payment plans and limited financial aid are available. Please ask!

Dr. Dave Janvier, LPC

Faculty for SIIMDA Soul Care siimdasoulcare.com

Linda Thomas

Faculty for Advanced Spiritual Direction pathwaysretreat.org

Alexandra MacCracken

Faculty for Gestalt Soul Care

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Today!

Click on the "Apply Now" button to complete an application at siimdasoulcare.com/spiritual-direction-program

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