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SDI Educators Gathering – April 2025
April 23 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm PDT
Embodied Learning in Spiritual Direction Formation and Training Programs
For the past few decades, mainstream Western formation and training programs have offered a contemplative dialogic model of spiritual direction, sidestepping somatic practices as a mode of learning, discerning and connecting with the Divine. Many cultural and spiritual traditions are grounded in somatic wisdom that is integral to spiritual companioning with individuals, groups and communities. With greater awareness of the importance of trauma-attuned ministry, we have an ethical obligation to integrate somatic awareness, tools, rituals, prayers and practices into our formation and training programs. In this experiential session we will explore an overview of somatics and spiritual direction, including specific practices, perspectives and resources from a variety of sources.
If you are part of a spiritual direction formation program or a guide or mentor to spiritual companions, we invite you to join us the educators gathering.
Bio:
Karen Lee Erlichman, D.Min, LCSW provides psychotherapy, spiritual direction, mentoring and supervision. She is a trained facilitator with the Jewish Studio Process and the Center for Courage and Renewal, and a founding advisor for the Embodied Jewish Learning Network. Karen’s practice has been deeply influenced by Authentic Movement and somatic coaching training with the Strozzi Institute. In 2011 she completed Level 1 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Training. Karen has taught in numerous spiritual direction training programs.
