Spiritual Guidance Practitioner Training
Download Application Form 2026-2027 Below
Spiritual Guidance Practitioner Training
Programmes at An Croí Wisdom Institute are characterised by a contemplative, creative, and compassionate approach, elements that are foundational for the Spiritual Guidance Training. The spiritual guidance practitioner training programme is rooted in the Christian Tradition; however, it offers an inter-spiritual, inter-contemplative and inter-mystical perspective that focuses on perennial wisdom and is significantly enriched by the Anamchara tradition in Celtic Christian spirituality. ‘I came that you may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10) is our guiding principle, and the heart is our guiding metaphor, providing both a framework and model for a heart-centred approach to spiritual accompaniment.
An Croí Wisdom Institute offers a comprehensive professional certification programme in Spiritual Guidance and is recognised by the All-Ireland Spiritual Guidance Association (AISGA). We have opted to use the term “Spiritual Guidance,” yet we acknowledge the ongoing discussion about the limitations of any term in describing this work. We therefore employ the terms spiritual direction, spiritual accompaniment, and soul-centred accompaniment interchangeably for clarity across different contexts. This programme has been running successfully for almost twenty years. It is continually updated as we adapt to current trends in spirituality and spiritual practice whilst remaining true to the ancient tradition of spiritual direction.
Programme Aim
The programme aims to provide the necessary psycho-spiritual training, in both theory and practice, for spiritual guidance and soul-centred accompaniment. It focuses on spiritually oriented processes, practices, and perspectives, drawing on ancient wisdom from the Christian tradition of spiritual direction, perennial wisdom across traditions, and insights from psycho-spiritual disciplines.
It aims to provide theoretical, spiritual, and ethical foundations, preparing participants to become spiritual guides/directors. For those who already have a professional practice, it enables the integration of soul work and spiritual perspectives into their existing practice.
The programme seeks to draw out participants’ wisdom, raise awareness of God’s activity in their lives and deepen their relationship with Divine Mystery. It aims to cultivate a contemplative, compassionate, creative, and Celtic approach that enables participants to develop a personal philosophy of Spiritual Guidance while gaining a critical and theoretical understanding of its nature and the elements involved.
Programme Intentions
- Prepare participants for their role as Spiritual Guidance Practitioners
- Develop a contemplative, compassionate, creative and Celtic approach to Spiritual Guidance
- Enable participants to acquire the skills necessary for Spiritual Guidance
- Assist participants in nurturing their own hearts, deepening their spiritual lives and facilitating spiritual growth and understanding of the ways of Divine Mystery in human experience, and nurturing a deeper relationship with the Divine.
- Examine some theories, approaches, and models, and explore psychological and social contexts necessary for Spiritual Guidance and develop a working model based on the principles of the programme.
- Gain the theoretical foundations in learning necessary for Spiritual Guidance.
- Facilitate participants as they discern their role as Spiritual Guidance Practitioners.
- To facilitate understanding of spiritual unfolding and phases and stages of the spiritual journey.
- Provide practical training in the skills of Spiritual Guidance and provide the opportunity to engage in Spiritual Guidance practise under supervision.
- Enable participants to develop a personal philosophy of Spiritual Guidance and gain a critical and theoretical understanding of the nature and elements involved.
- Develop an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of a Spiritual Guidance Practitioner.
While developing skills in spiritual accompaniment and soul-making, the programme also examines the connection between spirituality and psychology, psyche and soul, as well as spiritual direction and counselling. Other areas of exploration include maps of spiritual unfolding, psycho-spiritual issues, approaches and traditions of spiritual guidance, and contemplative spiritual practices.
Programme Modules
Module:1. The Art of Spiritual Guidance
Module:2. Spiritual Guidance: Traditions, Approaches and Themes
Module:3. Spiritual Experience, Contemplative Spiritual Practices & Discernment
Module:4. Spiritual Unfolding & Spiritual Development
Module:5. Self-Understanding & Psycho-Spiritual Themes for Spiritual Guidance:
Module:6. Transformational Learning and Integrative Practices
Learner Profile
Ideally, the programme is designed for those who wish to become certified spiritual guidance practitioners and those who wish to enrich their own spiritual lives. It is also tailored for caring professionals seeking to incorporate a spiritual perspective into their practice with competence and ethical awareness. Additionally, it is suitable for individuals who want to lead retreats or spiritually focused groups.
Suitable candidates normally have some foundation in spirituality, counselling or a cognate area. Participants will typically have:
- Felt drawn to spiritual accompaniment and soul work with others, which is evidenced in their life
- Have some background in spirituality/theology/counselling or cognate area.
- Willingness to engage in Spiritual Guidance themselves.
- A commitment to spiritual growth and contemplative spiritual practices
- An ability to listen to others with reverence.
- Commitment to the duration and components of the programme
- A personal capacity for openness, change and transformation.
The programme builds on these foundations by providing practical training and psycho-spiritual principles. It also offers an opportunity to accompany others under supervision. The programme aims to facilitate a deeper relationship with, and understanding of, the Divine Presence in human experience, while fostering spiritual growth and personal development. Participants will gain insights into soul work and prepare to become spiritual guidance practitioners. Ultimately, the programme will cultivate the skills and provide the professional training necessary to become a certified Spiritual Guide/Director.
Programme Structure
There are three stages in the programme.
- The initial stage begins after the application and involves a discernment conversation and an invitation to engage with some preparatory reading.
- The learning Stage involves monthly scheduled training sessions with a blend of in-person sessions and online Zoom sessions. This aspect of the training provides theoretical foundations and develops essential skills for Spiritual Guidance in various settings. In-person sessions concentrate on experiential learning, integration, and practice. Our online learning platform facilitates learning by providing resources and training videos that are added to as the programme progresses and remain accessible to trainees throughout the programme. Monthly one-hour, optional evening sessions provide an opportunity for the integration of learning.
- The final stage of the programme is an integrative stage following completion of the contact training schedule. It provides an opportunity to integrate learning, complete required skills practice under supervision and complete a final professional learning portfolio prior to final assessment.
Programme Commitment
The programme commitment involves a discernment phase following application, monthly training sessions over a calendar year, Fridays 4-8 pm online Zoom & Saturdays 10 am-5 pm from September to June (in-person and online dates to be arranged) and an optional bi-weekly one-hour Zoom session on Wednesdays 7 pm – 8 pm for integration of learning platform material. Participants are required to complete three self-scheduled retreat days, a commitment to the required number of sessions of personal spiritual guidance (10), and guiding others under supervision(10)
The programme is delivered in an integrative modular format; however, each training session focuses on a specific module, with ongoing skills training, practice, and integration. Successful participants who complete all components of the programme will be eligible for the award of Professional Diploma in Spiritual Guidance, recognised by the All-Ireland Spiritual Guidance Association.
Assessment
Assessment of the programme participation is based on the completion of both transformative and summative assessments. Summative assessment includes assignments presented in a variety of formats, which are integrated into the professional learning portfolio. Transformative assessment, which is also presented and integrated into the professional learning portfolio format, is based on the experiential, integration, practice and transformational elements of the training.
During the programme, participants may be required to complete short assignments and engage with the learning platform. Assessment pieces integrated into the final learning portfolio may include a book report, essay, group presentations, creative presentations with supporting documentation, reflection papers, microanalyses, and a summary of a learning journal.
Programme Director and Tutors
Programme Director & Key Tutor: Carmel Boyle MMin, BATh (Mus)
Co-Tutor: Dr Geraldine Holton, DPsych., MSc., Adult Ed. BATh.
Visiting Tutors online / in-person include :
Dr Jack Finnegan SDB DD
Dr Kathleen Deignan CND Professor Emeritus, Iona University, NY
Vincent O Grady, MA, HDSG HDCPS
Kathleen Keaney O Grady MA HDSG HDCPS
The programme director may engage visiting presenters with particular expertise and experience to enhance the programme online or in person.
Programme Details 2026-2027
Fridays 4 pm-8 pm (Online Zoom) Monthly
Saturdays 10 am-5 pm (In-Person October, November, also April, May & June. Online December, January, February and March) Monthly
Orientation Session
Orientation Evening Wednesday, Oct. 7th 7 pm – 8. 00 pm
Training Sessions
October 23rd/24th, Nov. 20th/21st, Dec. 11th/12th Jan. 22nd/23rd, Feb. 19th/ 20th, March 19th/20th, April 23rd/24th, May 21st/22nd & 23rd (Full Weekend), June 18th/19th.
Portfolio Presentation Day: September 2027 TBA
Optional Integration Sessions
Monthly Sessions on Wednesdays 7 pm-8.00 pm
Oct. 7th, Nov.4th, Dec. 2nd, Jan 6th, Feb 3rd, March 3rd, April 7th, May 5th, June 9th
Learning Platform ongoing
Programme Investment
€1800 payable in instalments
(Retreats, spiritual guidance, supervision and accommodation not included in fee)
Application Process
Download the application from and post or email it to Carmel Boyle at
Email; ancroiwisdominstitute@gmail.com or post to An Croí Wisdom Institute, Bawntaaffe, Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland A92X2N2
Upon receipt of the application, a Zoom meeting will be scheduled with the course director.