Training Overview

• You will learn how to integrate whatever care practices you have been providing into a much broader, wholistic care model.  The Curriculum includes:

  • Introduction to the Discipline of Spiritual Direction; Mental Health Care; Inner Healing Prayer; Coaching

  • Integrated Interdisciplinary Care

  • Multi-Dimensional Assessment 

  • Discernment Containers, Discernment Practices, Models of Spiritual Growth, Prayer Practices

  • Psychological First Aid and Crisis Debrief

  • Immanuel Prayer for inner healing

  • Applying the Wholistic Model to the treatment of: 

  • Mood Disorders

  • Anxiety Disorders

  • Trauma

  • Addiction Disorders

  • Psychosomatic Presentations

  • Crisis Intervention: 

  • De-escalation Techniques

  • Domestic Violence

  • Suicide

  • Ethics, Self Care, & Professional Development 

  • Principles and Practice in Adult Learning and Training

  • Models for Supervising Care Providers

     Trainers

    Dr. X. Nader Sahyouni is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a spiritual director with a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation. He also has a background of research in neuroscience and cardiology. He regularly speaks at retreats and conferences on the intersection of psychotherapy, spiritual formation, and brain science. Nader is the author of “Anxiety Transformed: Prayer that Brings Enduring Change,” as well as “The Three A’s of Anxiety” prayer workbook.  Nader lectures annually at North Park Theological Seminary’s Center for Spiritual Direction. He also volunteers as Asst. Director of Spiritual Foundations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. 

    Dr. Alex Galloway is a Clinical Psychologist providing counseling and training to cross-cultural workers in high risk areas. He serves with SentWell.org, a multidisciplinary team of therapists, spiritual directors, coaches and pastors living in community in Southern Spain to serve workers in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Alex has specialized interest in trauma, sexuality, and the holistic care of God’s people. He enjoys encouraging, equipping, and empowering those who minister on the “front lines.” He is married to Amy and has three grown daughters.

    Please apply before November 1, 2025

Online start date: February 1st, 2026

In Person Training in Malaga, Spain: June 1st - 5th, 2026

The required In-Person Training for your Wholistic Care Certificate will take place at La Morada, SentWell’s retreat centre in Alhaurín de la Torre, Spain.  This is a peaceful and safe area just inland from the Costa del Sol, ten minutes from the Mediterranean and fifteen minutes from Málaga airport (AGP).  Málaga is well-served by many international carriers and connects with dozens of European countries with good onward connections to cities outside of Europe.

Complementary transfers are available from the Malaga Airport or Málaga’s Maria Zambrano train station on arrival day and departure day within the arrival and departure windows: 

Arrivals on Sunday the 31st of May: 3pm--6pm

Departures on Saturday the 6th of June: 8am--12pm

Please plan to arrive by 3pm at the Málaga airport or train station on arrival day.  If you are traveling by car, please plan to arrive at La Morada in Alhaurin de la Torre by 4pm. La Morada’s address: Av. el Alamillo, 13, 29130 Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga.

You are free to leave anytime in the morning on departure day and complementary transfers will be available from 8am--12pm on this day. 

Check out from the rooms: 11am

Wholistic Care Training Full Board

Your registration fee includes:

• Full room and board (five nights’ accommodation in double room)

• Three healthy, tasty meals per day and all snacks and drinks during the day

• Content & materials

• Access to Individual Professional Care Services

• All of our professional staff raise full support which enables us to keep these prices low for cross-cultural workers.

Double occupancy:  799€

Single occupancy:  999€

Both trainers have agreed to donate their time and expertise to keep the costs as affordable as possible for our students.  Please let us know if finances are a concern for you.  Scholarships may be available.

There are three options for payment:

1) If you are part of Novo, you may pay by internal transfer. Contact Maya.gancheva@novo.org for details.

2) You may pay in euros by making a payment into our Spanish bank account. Contact maya.gancheva@novo.org for details.

3) You may pay by credit card in US dollars via the “Registration” tab.

STEP 1

We are delighted that you are ready to sign up for the Wholistic Care Training! Please complete the application form via the button below. The event facilitators review all applications before inviting you to confirm your registration via payment. If you have any questions at any point, please email xnader@myspiritualdirector.com and we will do our best to help you.

Please apply before November 1, 2025

STEP 2

Once we have reviewed and accepted your application, you will have three possible payment options. 

1) If you would like to pay by credit card in USD, please pay by clicking the button

2) If you would prefer to pay in euros by bank transfer, please contact Maya.gancheva@novo.org.  

3) If you are part of Novo, you may make an internal transfer to the following fund: 9808-00 SentWell La Morada.