Cherry Hill Spiritual Direction Certification Program

Now accepting applications for the Cherry Hill Seminary Spiritual Direction Certificate—Cohort 5 begins March 2026.

Are you the person friends & family turn to for emotional or spiritual support? Do you wish to enhance your ability to help others on their spiritual journeys? If so, Cherry Hill Seminary’s Spiritual Direction Program offers an earth-honoring, multi-faith, transformative path to deepen your skills & expand your well-being.

Class of '28 (cohort 5) begins March 4, 2026. The following cohort of learners will likely start March 2027. Get your application in now for early admission. Spiritual Direction Certificate Program page.

What is Spiritual Direction Work?

Spiritual direction work is the practice of sacred listening and accompaniment. It’s a relational, contemplative process in which one person companions another—or a group—as they explore their lived relationship with the sacred. The goal is not to diagnose, fix, or convert, but to witness, wonder, and support meaning-making.

At its heart, spiritual direction honors the whole person—body, story, culture, and spirit—and invites spaciousness for discernment, transformation, and healing. It is a practice rooted in humility, consent, curiosity, and love.

Spiritual direction work asks the companion to show up not as an expert, but as a presence: someone attuned to the sacred in and around the seeker, and skilled in holding space where silence, mystery, laughter, doubt, longing, and revelation are all welcome.

This program is for those called to accompany others, especially within Pagan, earth-based, and justice-rooted traditions.

•  Pagan and UU leaders
• Unaffiliated seekers 
• Helping professionals (chaplains, therapists, tattoo artists, etc.) 
• Disabled or neurodiverse practitioners

What You'll Experience

This 24-month online certificate is rooted in the belief that all people are whole, holy, and worthy—and that spiritual companionship is a sacred, ethical practice of deep listening and presence. Designed for those called to accompany others on their spiritual journeys, the curriculum unfolds over four semesters, each building on the last to foster both personal formation and practical skill.

• Semester 1 nurtures your inner grounding through contemplative practice, theological reflection, and the cultivation of spiritual presence.

• Semester 2 explores diverse spiritual traditions, decolonizing frameworks, and justice-rooted approaches to spiritual direction.

• Semester 3 weaves in wisdom from psychology, trauma awareness, and somatic and expressive tools for working with seekers in many life situations.

• Semester 4 focuses on integrating your skills through supervised practice, case studies, group direction, and tools for sustainable, ethical vocation.

Key Benefits

• Diverse Faculty: Learn from experienced teachers representing Pagan, Indigenous, Catholic, Sufi, Animist, and other traditions, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives.
• Cohort-Based Learning: Join a virtual community of international learners, fostering accountability, support, and shared experiences throughout the program.
• Holistic Approach: Grounded in earth-relating traditions, the program celebrates your spirituality and identity, recognizing you as whole, holy, and worthy.
• Accessible: the program is online and designed to be compatible with work and life

If You Feel Drawn to Spiritual Tending

Exploring a second career or seeking to augment your role in the helping professions? Feeling called? Experiencing a midlife transition? Seeking to transform burnout? Wrestling with spiritual hunger? Or just needing a like-hearted community?

Becoming a spiritual companion offers a fulfilling path that integrates deep listening, empathy, and guidance, enriching both your life and the lives of those you accompany. Here are compelling reasons to consider this vocation:

1. Leverage Transferable Skills: Your experience in fields like counseling, healthcare, or education has honed your ability to listen actively and provide support. These skills are directly applicable to spiritual companioning, allowing for a seamless transition into this role.

2. Foster Personal and Professional Growth: Engaging in spiritual companioning not only aids others but also facilitates your own spiritual and emotional development. This reciprocal growth enriches your practice and personal life.

3. Meet Growing Demand for Holistic Support: As individuals increasingly seek comprehensive well-being, the need for spiritual companions rises. This role enables you to address the spiritual dimensions of well-being, complementing traditional therapeutic approaches.

4. Enhance Workplace Well-Being: Incorporating spiritual direction within organizational settings can foster belonging, manage change, and improve leadership and culture. By becoming a spiritual companion, you can contribute to creating psychologically safe and meaningful workplaces.

5. Embrace a Flexible and Diverse Practice: Spiritual companioning offers the flexibility to work in various settings, including private practice, community organizations, or corporate environments. This adaptability allows you to tailor your practice to diverse populations and needs.

Outcomes

During the program you will grow your call, develop your confidence, and learn to hold sacred space. Upon completion, you will become a credentialed Spiritual Companion, recognized by Cherry Hill Seminary and grounded in the professional standards of spiritual direction ethics and practice. You will be equipped to offer professional spiritual tending. This certification opens pathways to serve in various settings. You’ll be prepared to offer spiritual direction in one-on-one or group settings, support seekers through transitions and discernment, and bring contemplative presence into your existing work, spiritual community, or new vocation.”

Discernment Welcome

This is the season of exploration and discernment. Reach out to talk through your yearnings, challenges, and questions. https://SpiritualTendingWithAmy.as.me/SpiDirInquiry

Application Process

Applications are now open for Cohort 5, starting on March 4, 2026. The admissions process includes submitting an application form, two short essays, two letters of reference, and an interview with the program chair.

We'll schedule admissions interviews during the coming 6 months. Early admission allows you time for discernment, support from advisors, pre-reading, and other preparation.

Applications will be closed on February 15, or when the class fills.

Do the Next Right Thing

If you’re ready to deepen your spiritual practice and enhance your ability to support others, apply today to join our next cohort. Embark on a journey that not only enriches your life but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Know someone else who may be called to this work? Please share this invitation with them.

For more information and to begin your application, visit our Spiritual Direction Certificate Program page.

You are whole, holy, and worthy. Begin your journey to bloom.

Rev. Amy Beltaine

P.S. You can always reach out with questions—we’re happy to chat. abeltaine@uuma.org