Practicum in Interfaith Spiritual Direction

Online Via Zoom

The Practicum is on hiatus for 2026

The Practicum component of Wisdom’s Way and Tacheria Interfaith Schools provides students with a real-world opportunity for learning through practice in the skills and accepted practices of Spiritual Direction/Spiritual Companionship.

Our team of skilled Spiritual Directors, along with a cohort of peers, create the opportunity for students to integrate learned concepts and techniques by participating in actual companion relationships. This is the supportive structure for thoughtful and respectful learning.

The Practicum is especially suited to those who desire support opening their own practice of Spiritual Direction or who desire to have a chance to practice their skills with insightful and constructive feedback.

The Practicum is held online via ZOOM and takes approximately one year to complete from January to January.

Schedule: The two-hour class is typically held the 4th Sunday of the month from 5:00-7:00 PM (Arizona Time Zone (Summer/AZ time = Pacific Daylight Savings | Winter/AZ time = Mountain Standard time)

Practicum Staff: Karen Gatlin, Inge Detweiler, Frannie Walsh

Class size is limited! Only ten students are accepted into this program each year to ensure that every student has time to present their verbatims and experiences during Peer Supervision.

See registration form below to reserve your space.

Comments from Practicum Participants

“Practicum is an essential part of the journey of stepping into the role of Holy Listener. It provides a space to hear the experiences of my peers and vice versa. It is incredibly grounding to be able to both give and receive Presence with my peers and facilitators in this sacred group container. And, in my opinion, it was essential to owning and becoming the Spiritual Companion I am meant to be. It was a very special experience that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss.” – Ann O.

“Participating in Wisdom’s Way was an amazing experience. For me, the ability to participate in the practicum offered experience and learning. I discovered how to become a more effective spiritual companion. The ability to share my experiences with my mentors and peers allowed for great affirmation and growth. The practicum offered a way to review how I felt about my spiritual companion sessions. It also allowed me to hear thoughts and ideas from my peers and mentors through their experiences. I am grateful for the practicum experience as it has helped me to become a better spiritual companion.” – Robin C.

Practicum Component Details:

The Practicum Course includes 13 two‑hour classes and peer supervision sessions, offered in two integrated components: Education and Practice.

Educational Spiritual Direction (January–March · 5 Sessions)

This portion of the Practicum focuses on personalizing, marketing, and establishing a spiritual direction practice using the “best practices” recommended by Spiritual Directors International. Students engage in readings, reflection, and home study to deepen their understanding of the ministry of spiritual direction.

Spiritual Direction Practice Sessions (April–May)

During this period, class time is devoted to learning simple techniques and practicing spiritual direction skills in one‑on‑one sessions with another student. Each practice session concludes with a return to the large group for shared observations, insights, and awareness.

Outside of class, students locate 1–3 individuals from their spiritual communities, extended families, or social circles to serve as Student Practicum Clients. Students complete the required student contract paperwork and begin meeting with these clients.

Experiential Component (June–January · 8 Sessions)

Sessions meet on the fourth Sunday of each month, with one summer month off.

This component centers on holding sessions with Student Practicum Clients and participating in monthly two‑hour Peer or Individual Supervision. Students meet with 1–3 clients for a total of 20 sessions (for example, two clients meeting ten times each).

Supervision Options

Option 1: Peer Supervision (Cost Included in Tuition)

Most students choose Peer Supervision. Practicum students participate in Group Peer Supervision with their cohort, facilitated by experienced leaders and companions who have been students or staff of the Tacheria and Wisdom’s Way schools. Peer Supervision carries no additional cost.

Option 2: Individual Supervision (Cost Paid by Student)

Students may choose to work with an individual Spiritual Direction Supervisor listed on the SDI website. In this case, the cost of supervision is paid directly by the student.

Program Cost & Application Process

Program Cost: $500
Covers the Educational Component and Peer Supervision

Application Fee: $50 (non‑refundable)

Applications may be completed and submitted electronically.

Payment may be made via PayPal, check, money order, or cashier’s check to Tacheria.

Practicum Staff and Facilitators

Facilitator of Practicum Education

Karen Gatlin

Karen Gatlin is a retired ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and the former Director of Wisdom’s Way Interfaith School of Spirituality. Karen has been on a spiritually eclectic path most of her life with periods of immersion in recovery spirituality, the mystical teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Judaism and other spiritual pieces. She is inspired by personal experiences, embodied practices, meditation, the transformative and healing power of time in nature, the feminine, creativity, music, and energy practice. Karen has focused on interfaith spiritual companionship since 2014 (studying at The Chaplaincy Institute, Berkeley and Tacheria Interfaith School, Tucson). Karen’s purpose in life is to, “experience the sacred, give and receive soul support and to be a trustworthy companion for the journey.” Karen and her partner, John, reside in Oro Valley, AZ.

Facilitator of Practicum Peer Supervision

Rev. Inge Detweiler

Inge Detweiler is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, a former student of Tacheria Interfaith Spirituality School, Tucson, and the current pastor of Borderlands Unitarian Universalist Church, Green Valley, AZ. She has participated in Teresa Blythe’s apprenticeship program (Teresa Blythe is a guest speaker for our Practicum Program and is an author, spiritual director and spiritual direction supervisor).

Spiritual Companion and Communicator of the Practicum

Frannie Walsh

Fran Walsh has a Masters in Holistic Health Counseling and Education. She completed spiritual direction training with Center for Spiritual Guidance, St. Paul, Minnesota, and is a 2017 graduate of Wisdom’s Way Interfaith School, Phoenix. She has been a spiritual seeker all of her adult life and has gathered knowledge on psychology, spirituality and holistic health. Frannie has been trained in Reiki and Yoga Nidra. She has done intensive training with Bentino Massaro’s work on empowerment and has interned in Integral Breathwork with Carol Lampman. She says, “for me, breathwork has been an integrating of my past gathered knowledge – moving me from knowledge into experience.” Frannie and her partner, Delos, live in Scottsdale, AZ.