A GUIDE TO
PEER SUPERVISION
FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS
AND COMPANIONS
Practical training on how to create, facilitate, and nurture supervision between us.
Presenters
Rev. Jane Vennard
Larry J. Morris III
Dates
June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023
1pm to 2:30pm Pacific
4pm to 5:30pm Eastern
Duration
6 hours (total)
Webinar will be recorded.
Peer Supervision can be a fundamentally nourishing part of one's spiritual direction practice, providing accountability, opportunity for growth, and community.
Peer supervision refers to a group of spiritual directors and companions who come together regularly to discuss their work with clients, share their experiences and concerns, and receive feedback and support from one another. Peer supervision groups improve the quality of listening care provided to clients by helping enhance the listening skills of practitioners, increasing their self-awareness, all while maintain their ethical and professional standards.
Reasons to Join a Peer Supervision Group
Here are some reasons why someone might want to join a peer supervision group:
Professional development: By participating in peer supervision, spiritual directors and companions can learn new techniques, get feedback on their work, and develop their skillset. This can lead to improved outcomes for clients and enhance the professional growth of spiritual directors and companions.
Support: Spiritual direction and companionship can be a demanding profession, and practitioners can face a range of emotional and practical challenges in their work. Peer supervision provides a space to share one’s experiences and receive support from colleagues who understand the unique demands of the profession.
Ethical considerations: Spiritual directors and companions may encounter ethical dilemmas in their work with clients. Peer supervision helps them navigate these challenges, by providing feedback on ethical decision-making, and ensuring the best possible care to their clients.
Networking: Peer supervision groups provide opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field by building relationships and expanding professional networks.
We’ve had growing interest and inquiry into how SDI can support and nurture peer supervision groups, either in providing resources for current groups or in helping to form new groups. SDI is pleased to offer this training for anyone who’s been part of a group, is interested in starting a group, and for those interested in a tune-up.
For this webinar, we are pleased to have two experienced facilitators: Rev. Jane Vennard and Larry J. Morris III. Jane has been facilitating a peer supervision group for over 20 years and will bring stories and strategies for establishing and maintaining a group. As SDI’s Communities Coordinator, Larry will bring their own expertise, and will help coordinate with any interested participants in forming their own Supervision groups.
(NOTE: You do not have to join this webinar to express interest! Please contact [email protected] at any time if you are interested in joining a peer supervision group).
“Peer supervision has become a staple in the formation and practice of spiritual direction and companionship. Spiritual directors are organizing and forming these gatherings successfully. At the same time many questions arise about possible structures of peer supervision groups.
The structure I will share with you in this webinar had its origins in a seminary class I was teaching on deep listening. Over the past 25 years it has evolved into a model for peer supervision that is still growing and changing and being used in a variety of settings.*
Timing the silence between the presentation and the responses is one of its strengths. Although some people find this timed model too structured, I have found that the boundaries provide safety allowing the group to go more deeply into the issue presented.”
* Spiritual Discovery: A Method for Discernment in Small Groups and Congregations, Catherine Tran and Sandra Boyd, Roman and Littlefield, 2015.
Rev. Jane Vennard
in her own words
What to Expect
- Four weekly 75 minute Zoom sessions, which will include presentation, silent reflection, breakout rooms, and large group sharing. Some of the sessions may include guided experiences.
- Learn fundamentals for facilitating and maintaining a successful Peer Supervision Group.
- Practical tips and wisdom on best practices.
- Learn about practicing strong ethics, handling challenges, and helping peers grow in their own life and practice.
- SDI Members are wise and experienced practitioners! If you've been a part of a Group, or currently are in one, join the circle and share your experiences with others.
- Opportunities to connect with other practitioners, share contact info, and create your own Peer Supervision Group.
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this webinar series as are those with all levels of spiritual experience.
- The primary audience for this webinar is someone curious about being part of, or are currently a part of, a Peer Supervision Group. Whether you have been part of a Group for many years, are part of a new group, or are curious about what its all about - this webinar is for you!
- In fact, we will create opportunity for interested participants to form their own Peer Supervision groups in the webinar, connecting folks and helping them get started.
- This webinar is also for spiritual directors looking to add Peer Supervision Facilitation to their vocational toolkit.
- You will benefit most if you can attend in person, but all sessions will be recorded and be viewable for at least 12 months after the last session goes live.
When
The webinar series will run 4 consecutive Wednesdays: June 7, 14, 21, 28, 1PM Seattle/Los Angeles, 3PM Chicago, 4PM New York, 9 PM London; Thursdays: June 8, 15, 22, 29: 4 AM Hong Kong, 6 AM Sydney, Australia.
Find your own local time here.
Each session is recorded so you can watch at your convenience. In-person attendance is encouraged, but not required.
Presenters
Rev. Jane Vennard
Reverend Jane Vennard has led peer supervision groups for over 20 years, and has recently facilitated SDI webinars including White Privilege in Spiritual Direction and Companionship, and Eldering in the Time of COVID-19. She was called to the ministry of teaching and spiritual direction and ordained in 1987 by the United Church of Christ. She is retired senior adjunct faculty at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, USA. Jane has presented workshops at SDI conferences and offered a Plenary Address at the 20th anniversary celebration in 2010. She has led programs for Spiritual Direction Colorado’s continuing education events including an afternoon on the topic of racism. A number of church groups have also sponsored programs on white privilege including UU, Catholic, Episcopal, and UCC. Jane has taught in spiritual direction formation programs at Garrett Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary and The Community of Christ spiritual formation program. She is a spiritual director in private practice and the author of eight books.
Larry J. Morris III
Larry J. Morris III (he/they) is the SDI Communities Coordinator, helping bring together affinity groups and guiding online and in-person gatherings across the SDI Community. Larry describes himself as “an apostle, digital marketer, scholar, and spiritual director based in Chicago, IL.” They will be helping organize our various community groups and administering our Public Square online platform.
Outline
- Session 1: Introduction to peer supervision and the history and evolution of this particular model
- Session 2: Exploring the Compassionate Observer and its role in peer supervision
- Session 3: Experiencing the power of Open Honest questions
- Session 4: Leadership of peer supervision groups
Additional Information
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this webinar series as are those with all levels of spiritual experience.
- Each session will run approximately 90 minutes. We understand that the timing of the seminar will not be convenient in every time zone on the planet. For those who have trouble making this time, a recorded copy of each session will be made available to all those who sign up.
- CEU credits are available for all those who participate. SDI will provide a certificate of completion for self-reporting to agencies. More information can be found here: continuing education units (CEUs).
- Cost: $109 for non-members, with significant discounts for SDI members
- Scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship. Please apply here.
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