Spiritual Direction Practicum
Still Harbor offers a nine-month Spiritual Direction Practicum designed for spiritual caregivers and politicized healers from underrepresented identities, diverse communities, and varied lived experiences.
The program invites participants into a community committed to the sacred work of transformation, supporting those who feel called to accompany others on their spiritual journeys. It emphasizes deep listening, compassionate presence, and leadership rooted in lived experience and collective care.
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction within this program is understood to take many forms, which are grounded in a confidential, one-to-one relationship. Rather than functioning as counseling or therapy, it centers on sacred accompaniment, helping individuals cultivate awareness of the divine, the sacred, or an animating presence in their lives. Still Harbor maintains a long-standing commitment to uplifting voices from marginalized communities, recognizing the wisdom and resilience that emerge from these experiences.
Practicum Overview
Beginning in October 2026, the certificate program provides comprehensive training for those seeking to become spiritual directors.
The curriculum integrates experiential learning with reflective and academic components, including readings, group discussions, written reflections, contemplative practices, and supervised sessions. Participants are prepared to engage with people across a wide range of spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds while developing the foundational skills needed for both one-on-one and group spiritual direction.
The program is led by facilitators with marginalized identities and places strong emphasis on queer and trans leadership. This commitment shapes not only the content of the curriculum but also the learning environment and community culture. The program actively resists anti-queer and anti-trans harm, centering spiritual care that is affirming, liberatory, and justice-oriented.
Practicum Components
Key elements of the 9-month Practicum include:
Identity-based affinity groups which create supportive, identity-affirming spaces for reflection, accountability, and growth
Twice-monthly live virtual sessions including contemplative practice, group dialogue and hands-on learning
Written reflection papers
Development of a personal spiritual practice
Ongoing supervision and 1:1 mentorship to support integration of learning
Quarterly workshops led by thought leaders from the field
Participants also attend quarterly workshops led by thought leaders that explore topics such as trauma, embodiment, African ancestral remembrance, ritual, community engagement, and spiritual care for trans communities. These workshops deepen participants’ capacity to engage spiritual direction in ways that are responsive to both individual and collective experiences.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the program emerge
prepared to offer spiritual direction rooted in compassion, discernment, and deep listening,
equipped to integrate this work into roles such as clergy, chaplaincy, healing practices, education, and community leadership,
and trained to facilitate spaces of spiritual reflection within organizations and movements, grounded in justice, healing, and collective liberation.
Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Still Harbor, recognizing their formation in a rigorous, practice-based program that integrates spiritual depth with a commitment to social transformation.