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Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor (CSDS)

A need has been expressed for excellence, competency, integrity and established professional qualifications in almost every field and discipline. Professionals, paraprofessionals and technicians have each taken up this challenge and responsibility.
CCPC Global is responding to both social expectation and professional need. CCPC Global as a recognized certifying body, certifies those qualified individuals who are engaged in the Supervision of the Art and Discipline of Christian Spiritual Direction.

General Requirements

Those wishing to be certified and requesting the designation of Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor (CSDS) will provide information to the CCPC indicating their education, supervised experience and specialized training in the field of supervision of Christian Spiritual Direction. Copies of documentation of the above are required and will be kept on file at the CCPC office; they will not be returned.
The application and documentation will first be screened for eligibility for certification by an Evaluator, and then scrutinized by the CCPC Board of Examiners. The applicant will be notified in writing concerning the decision of the Board of Examiners. Denial of an application will be accompanied by written explanation and advice on acquiring the training/education needed.

Purpose of Certification

The Purpose of Certification for the Spiritual Director Supervisor is to recognize, by way of the certification process, those who have acquired an acceptable standard of training, skills, and effectiveness as a Spiritual Director Supervisor.
CCPC Global extends professional credentials (CSDS) to individuals indicating the minimum skill level reached.
CCPC encourages everyone having the required qualifications to apply regardless of age, race, nationality, sex or handicap.
Our focus is:

  1. To provide the avenue for qualified persons who have studied, worked and developed skills in the field of supervision of spiritual direction to receive professional recognition.
  2. To provide the public with the confidence that Spiritual Director Supervisors have attained an acceptable level of competency.
  3. To provide Certified Spiritual Director Supervisors with encouragement for continual spiritual awareness, education and professional development.

Who may be certified?

Any person may apply for credentials as a Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor (CSDS). However, he or she must be able to meet the “Standards Criteria” set by the CCPC Examining Board.

The application process provides the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate adequate skill, knowledge and competence as a Spiritual Director Supervisor.

Education Required

CCPC Global has set the following standards for the Education part of the certification process:

  1. A minimum of two years of CSD registration by CCPC
  2. Each candidate will supervise six Spiritual Direction practicum students for a total of thirty six hours.
  3. Each candidate will meet for Group or One-to-One Supervision with their supervisor for a total of twelve hours.
  4. Each candidate will complete an approved / accredited Supervision course, namely two one day supervision seminars.

Core Competencies

There are several complex functions that a supervisor has to combine in their role. The following list is seen as the primary foci in supervision:

  1. To provide regular space for the supervisees to reflect upon the content and process of the work
  2. To develop and understand the skills within the work.
  3. To give information and another’s perspective concerning one’s work.
  4. To validate and support the supervisee both as a person and as a supervisor.
  5. To be able to provide space to explore and express personal distress, transference or countertransference that may be brought up in the supervision.
  6. To plan and utilize their personal and professional resources better.
  7. To be proactive rather than reactive.
  8. To ensure quality of supervision.

To ensure that these competencies are met we recommend using the CLEAR supervision model.
CONTRACT: Supervision sessions start with establishing the supervisee’s desired outcomes, agreeing to any basic ground rules or roles.
LISTEN: By using active listening and catalytic interventions, the supervisor helps the supervisee develop understanding of the situation he/she wants to affect a difference.
EXPLORE: Through questions, reflection and generation of new insights and awareness, the supervisor works to create different options for handling the situation.
ACTION: Having explored different options a way forward is chosen.
REVIEW: Review the actions that have been agreed. Feedback is encouraged to discover what was difficult and what needs to be changed.

Professional Responsibilities

CCPC Global expects its applicants to:

  1. Adhere to the established code of ethics to preserve a high standard of professionalism and to secure the client’s best interest.
  2. Maintain federal, provincial and agency regulations concerning confidentiality by following proper procedures to preserve the client’s rights.
  3. Identify the importance of the diversity of clients by attaining knowledge about character, cultures, lifestyles, and other elements that are dominant to a client’s behaviour, in order to advise services that are sensitive to the client.
  4. Set up and maintain a program of self-assessment of professional conduct (strength and weakness) using ethical and legal standards.
  5. Continue the process of professional growth and development by assessing one’s training needs and attaining the necessary education.

Professional References

Please see the section below dealing with a Supervisor’s Evaluation Report.

Supervisor Letter and Evaluation

When a person applies for credentials as a Certified Spiritual Director Supervisor, we the Examining Board of the CCPC, seek to determine his or her competence, moral/ethical character and knowledge by authentication from various sources.
We consider your comments very important, because of your first-hand observation of the applicant’s skills, knowledge and moral/ethical standard.
Please provide us with the following information:

  1. Comment on the applicant’s overall supervisory skills
  2. Comment on the applicant’s ability in the core competencies
  3. Do you recommend for or against the candidate’s certification as a supervisor?

The CCPC reserves the right to request additional information if required.

Keep a Record of your Application

It is recommended that all applicants maintain a personal file for their records. This file should contain copies of all of the following documents: the completed application; all past and current training-related transcripts, diplomas, and certificates; and a record of hours worked both in education and training and in work experience. The CCPC performs periodic checks of those certifications which require continual training or minimum hours worked.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this certification, please go to the manuals page and download a copy of the CSDS manual or simply CLICK HERE and follow the steps. If you need more help or direction, contact us.

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