Encounter

Are you interested in training as a Spiritual Director?

Our Approach

The Encounter course is a transformative three-year formation programme in spiritual accompaniment, rooted in Christian tradition and informed by contemporary psychological insights. Led by a team of experienced Spiritual Directors, the course offers a balanced approach combining teaching seminars, small group work, and supervised practice. It is designed to equip participants with the skills and insights needed to guide others on their spiritual journeys, with a focus on deep, experiential learning, personal reflection, peer support and practical experience.

Central to the Encounter course is the development of listening skills and discernment, because at the heart of spiritual accompaniment is learning to sense how God speaks to us in our everyday lives. Each of the three years explores a particular dimension of listening: in Year One, by encountering the Christian tradition, in Year Two, encountering the Self, and in Year Three, encountering the Other.  This approach will enable you to develop a robust and relevant spirituality which is rooted in the rich soil of the Christian tradition, finding the wisdom and the practices that nourish our prayer and our living. We also encourage radical self awareness, because authentic spirituality requires that we allow our faith to be grounded in the reality of who we are and how the spirit moves through our ordinary and broken lives.  Finally, at a time when divisions are constantly pulling us apart, we invite you to embrace the gift and the challenge of the Other.  Learning to listen on all three levels will enable you to offer the kind of radical hospitality which makes honest and faith filled conversations possible.

Whether you're drawn to Spiritual Direction as a vocation or simply seeking to deepen your understanding of God's Spirit in everyday life, Encounter offers a comprehensive, ecumenical environment for growth. The programme blends online learning with in-person sessions, creating a flexible and accessible way to engage with the material while fostering a sense of community among participants.

Overview of the Course

Tree with exposed roots covered in moss in a forest setting.

Year 1: Encountering the Tradition

  • 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.

    Topics include: 

    • Old and New Testament themes

    • roots and history of Spiritual Direction

    • contemplative presence

    • process and content

    • consolation and desolation

    The small group work is experiential, and students are encouraged to keep a reflective journal throughout the year. There will also be recommended readings and regular assignments to support learning.

  • The year: Christian Spirituality, Key Theological Themes, Foundations in Listening and Discernment.

    Small group focus: Foundational listening skills practice

    Retreat Day: My faith journey

  • Interview and acceptance onto the programme.

Coastal landscape with stone labyrinth and ruined castle

Year 2: Encountering the Self

  • The second year deepens self-awareness, integrating psychological insights into spiritual direction.  

    Topics include:

    • the psycho-spiritual journey

    • stages of faith

    • embracing the shadow

    • wisdom of the body

    • transference and counter transference

    These themes are explored through Christian scripture and theology.

    This year places a strong emphasis on deepening effective listening skills and practice.

  • The Year: Key Psychological insight, Growth in self-awareness and prayer.

    Small group focus: Further dimensions of listening and responding, attending to process.

    Retreat Day: Embracing the Shadow

  • Successful completion of Year One and recommendation to continue from the Year leader; receiving regular spiritual direction.

Multiple hands touching a tree trunk in a forest setting.

Year 3: Encountering the Other

  • In the final year, students explore important social themes and begin to offer Spiritual Direction supported by weekly supervision.

    Topics include:

    • God's mission and Spiritual Direction

    • Encountering difference

    • Social justice themes

    • Accompanying the beginner

    • Good practice and ministry development

    The wisdom of the Christian tradition is used to engage with these and many other contemporary issues, further solidifying their readiness for this ministry.

  • The Year: the wider social context of Spiritual Direction informed by contemporary theological developments; deepening understanding of radical hospitality.

    Small group focus: Supervision

    Retreat Day: Tree of Life

  • Successful completion of Year Two and recommendation to continue from the Year Leader; receiving regular spiritual direction; giving regular spiritual direction to two people who are significantly different from each other in some way e.g. gender, race, background, stage of spiritual development.

Fees & Bursaries

Current fees per year are £1,800 per year.

Course Fee Structure: 

Annual fee: £1800 per year 

Initial deposit: £300 (non-refundable, included in total fee) 

Remaining £1500 paid in three installments:

  • 1st September: £500

  • 1st January: £500

  • 1st April: £500

Information about possible bursaries from partner organisations is available here.

Location

The Encounter course follows a blended-learning format, combining in-person and online sessions.

In-Person Saturday Intensives

Three full-day Saturday sessions held in London at the beginning, middle, and end of the year at The London Jesuit Centre. Attendance at all Saturday intensives is compulsory.

Online Sessions

All other sessions are held online. As this is a majority online training, confidence with zoom is necessary.

Structure

Duration: 3 years
Course Length: Each year runs from end of September to June
Structure: Each year consists of 6 modules, include breaks for holidays and half terms

Weekly Schedule

  • Year 1: Tuesdays, 18:00 – 21:00

  • Year 2: Wednesdays, 18:00 – 21:00

  • Year 3: Thursdays, 18:00 – 21:00

In-Person Saturdays

  • Three Saturdays per year, 10:30 – 19:00

  • Year 1: September, January, June

  • Year 2: October, January, July

  • Year 3: October, February, July

For the 2025/26 dates and module titles, please refer to the provided schedule .

Expectations and Assessment

Handouts: Handouts for each module are provided before and after sessions via Google Drive. Students should feel comfortable downloading and accessing these materials.

Journaling: You will be expected to journal throughout each year as part of the course.

Assignments: As part of the Encounter course, you will maintain a Reflective Journal and complete a Portfolio of Learning (POL) to track your spiritual growth and learning throughout the year. The Portfolio of Learning will include two essays and two summaries of your Reflective Journal.

Mid-Year & End-of-Year Appraisals: These one-on-one meetings (via Zoom) with your tutor will review your learning, insights, and progress. You will discuss your Portfolio of Learning, which includes your Reflective Journal Summary and assignments.

Reading: We focus on a few key books for deep, personal reflection rather than an extensive reading list. There are three books for required reading and there will be articles shared as part of course material. The full book list is here.

Spiritual Direction: You will need prior experience in spiritual direction and a commitment to ongoing Spiritual Direction throughout the course.

If you are not yet in Spiritual Direction, we can help connect you with a Spiritual Director through our directory on the website. Read more about finding a Spiritual Director as a student here. Preference will be given to applicants who are already in spiritual direction.

Requirements

Stable Internet Connection: A reliable internet connection is required to fully participate in the online components of the course.

Device Compatibility: You must have a device capable of running Zoom for online sessions, including video and audio functionality.

Course Materials: All course materials, including handouts, readings, and resources, will be provided digitally via Google Drive. Detailed access instructions will be sent to you ahead of the course. We recommend having a Google account to facilitate easy access and sharing of course materials. If you don’t already have one, setting one up will ensure a smooth experience.

7 steps to enrollment

  1. Attend an Open Evening.

    Attending an Open Evening is the best way to:

    Meet the Course Director and tutors in person

    Ask questions about the course structure, content, and experience

    Experience a short interactive taste of Spiritual Direction training

    Ensure you are ready to apply and secure your place

  2. Submit Application Form: Begin by completing the application form.

  3. Interview Booking: If successful, you will be invited to schedule an interview.

  4. Feedback for Unsuccessful Applications: If not selected, you will receive constructive feedback and steps to prepare for the course in the future.

  5. Reference Contacted: After a successful interview, your provided references will be contacted.

  6. Deposit and Learning Agreement: Following a successful interview and references, you will be asked for a £300 non-refundable deposit and a signed learning agreement.

  7. Confirmation of Enrollment: Upon receiving the required documents, your place on the course will be confirmed and you will receive necessary course documents and preparation details.

Applications Timeline

We run three intakes each year – Autumn, Spring, and Summer – each with an Open Evening, application review, interviews, and offers.

Autumn Term Intake

  • Monday 6 October – Applications open

  • Monday 4 November - Open Evening Online

  • Sunday 30 November (Midnight)- Applications for Autumn Term close. Applications received after to be considered in the SpringTerm.

  • W/C 8 December – Interview invitations sent

  • 15 & 22 January – Interviews

  • W/C 26 January – Offers sent

Spring Term Intake

  • Wednesday 4 February – Open Evening Online

  • Sunday 29 March (Midnight)– Applications close. Applications received after to be considered in the Summer Term

  • W/C 7 April – Interview invitations sent

  • 9 & 16 April – Interviews

  • W/C 23 April – Offers sent

Summer Term Intake

  • Wednesday 13 May – Open Evening Online

  • Sunday 28 June (Midnight) – Applications close. Applications received after to be considered for next intake.

  • W/C 6 July – Interview invitations sent

  • 16 & 23 July – Interviews

  • W/C 27 July – Offers sent

Applications Open 6 October *

Applications Open 6 October *

Meet Our Tutors

  • Trevor Mapstone

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 1

    Trevor combines spiritual direction with serving in pastoral work. He has spent his life in encouraging others to grow in authentic, creative, nuanced, open-minded Christian faith. He trained on Encounter and is a passionate advocate of its style and approach.

  • Person with short hair and colorful scarf in a living room with a sofa and curtains.

    Shelly King

    TUTOR YEAR 1

    Shelly hails from Canada where she trained as a spiritual director with the FCJ (Faithful Companions of Jesus) in Calgary, Alberta. She loves all the various ways this ministry is offered, whether in groups, one-to-one, on weeks of accompanied prayer or in retreat settings. Things that bring her joy include teaching, singing, being on the water and watching her granddaughter grow.

  • A man with glasses and a beard wearing a checkered shirt; background features a landscape painting.

    Ros Henwood

    TUTOR YEAR 1

    Ros trained on the Leicester/Peterborough diocese “Holy Listening” course and has been working as a Spiritual Director since 2015. Having been enriched as a student and assistant tutor by the Ignatian Spirituality Course, she is now accompanying her first exercitant through the Spiritual Exercises in daily life. Ros works as Chaplain for international students at Leicester University. She enjoys playing tennis, and going on bus rides with her grandson.

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    Charles Hippsley

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 2

    Charles comes from a background in business and church leadership. In 2012, he joined the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity to lead the Work Forum. He also works as a Spiritual Director and teaches on the second year of the Encounter course. Charles lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, Mary, and loves to discover and share practical insights into engaging with God, self and others in daily life.

  • Woman in outdoor gear posing in front of a vineyard with mountains in the background.

    Nicola Smedley

    TUTOR YEAR 2

    Nicola trained on Encounter and has a passion for its slow formation process, held within a supportive community. Nicola is drawn to one to one accompaniment. She lives this calling both as a spiritual director, a companion for the faith journey towards a deepening of our relationship with God and a freedom to be our true selves; and as a singing teacher, another great journey towards discovering our true, free voice.

  • A smiling woman with brown hair and a silver dragonfly necklace standing outdoors near a waterfront with a bridge in the background.

    Kate Pozzo

    TUTOR YEAR 2

    Kate trained in spiritual direction on the Encounter course and is passionate about supporting others on their spiritual journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and formation. She enjoys facilitating spaces for listening, encouraging reflection, creativity, and connection, and noticing the sacred in everyday life.

    Kate combines her experience and practice in spiritual direction with her day- to-day as an integrative counsellor and in pastoral supervision.

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    Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen

    LEAD TUTOR YEAR 3

    Fiona Koefoed-Jespersen is a Spiritual Director and Pilgrim Guide, particularly working with people in the first half of life and those experiencing faith shifts. She is passionate about seeking the sacred in the ordinary and, through her work, hopes to facilitate ever-deeper connection with God, our most authentic selves, and all of creation. Previously, she worked in communications and leadership in the NGO sector. She lives in Denmark with her husband and two children, and travels back to the UK regularly for work and family.

  • Smiling woman with long gray hair wearing a scarf, indoor setting

    Maria Manuela Silva

    TUTOR YEAR 3 & ENCOUNTER DIRECTOR

    Born in Lisbon, Maria has lived all her adult life in London. Maria hopes to have gained knowledge and wisdom from having studied Theology and Human Geography and trained as a Spiritual Director as well as raising a family, working in a secondary school in Brixton and being involved in church ministry in some of the most economically and ethnically diverse London boroughs. Maria is passionate about human flourishing, spiritual formation and her three grandchildren!

  • Smiling older woman with short gray hair wearing glasses, a denim jacket, and striped shirt, standing against a green brick wall.

    Linda Hopkins

    TUTOR YEAR 3

    Linda has experience working in a variety of church and community settings, including serving churches and communities as youth worker, educator, and minister. 

    She now works in a freelance capacity providing spiritual direction, coaching and mentoring, and facilitating group workshops and retreats.  She lives in the North West of England, and is passionate about listening deeply and supporting people to flourish.