IPS 586 is the first semester of a two-term, supervised practicum for Spiritual Direction Certificate students. Building on the foundational preparation of IPS 585, students engage in sustained spiritual direction practice with directees and in structured supervision designed to deepen competence, confidence, and ethical integrity. Students work toward the benchmark of completing substantial directee contact hours during the academic year (approximately 50 hours across IPS 586 and IPS 587), with ongoing reflection through verbatim work and self-assessment. During IPS 586, students also refine their retreat plan and complete the preparations necessary to host a silent or spiritual direction retreat during the practicum sequence.
Outcomes: Sustain regular spiritual direction practice with directees and document progress toward program benchmarks using accurate hour logs and supervision verification; Integrate supervisory feedback to refine spiritual direction skills (eg, presence, listening, discernment, and ethical practice) and demonstrate growth over time; Analyze spiritual direction sessions through recurring verbatim reporting and reflective writing to strengthen critical reflection and self-assessment; Develop and finalize an implementable retreat plan (purpose, schedule, logistics, hospitality, and evaluation) appropriate to the student's context and scope; Evaluate vocational fit and formation needs in light of practicum experiences and articulate concrete next steps for continued growth.
Outcomes: Sustain regular spiritual direction practice with directees and document progress toward program benchmarks using accurate hour logs and supervision verification; Integrate supervisory feedback to refine spiritual direction skills (eg, presence, listening, discernment, and ethical practice) and demonstrate growth over time; Analyze spiritual direction sessions through recurring verbatim reporting and reflective writing to strengthen critical reflection and self-assessment; Develop and finalize an implementable retreat plan (purpose, schedule, logistics, hospitality, and evaluation) appropriate to the student's context and scope; Evaluate vocational fit and formation needs in light of practicum experiences and articulate concrete next steps for continued growth.