Chaplain Formation Institute
Presence-Based Training in Spiritual Care, Relational Wisdom, and Compassionate Human PresencePreparing chaplains, spiritual care providers, and compassionate companions to offer grounded, trauma-aware, wisdom-centered care in complex human environments.
What Is the Chaplain Formation Institute?
The Chaplain Formation Institute (CFI) is the training and credentialing branch of The Presence Network.
CFI exists to form chaplains and spiritual care providers who are emotionally aware, trauma-informed, relationally attuned, spiritually grounded, and capable of offering wise, compassionate presence in moments of suffering, transition, grief, and existential distress.
Unlike many traditional programs that emphasize information transfer alone, CFI focuses on formation of the caregiver—developing not only what chaplains know, but who they become.
Our Distinctive Approach
Formation Over Information
We prioritize internal development alongside practical skill-building.
Presence-Based Training
We teach caregivers to become grounded, non-anxious, attuned human beings.
Wisdom-Centered Formation
We cultivate discernment, humility, and complexity tolerance.
Trauma-Aware Care
We prepare chaplains to understand human pain beyond surface behavior.
Who This Training Is For?
CFI is designed for:
- Hospice Chaplains
- Hospital Chaplains
- Community Chaplains
- Pastoral Care Providers
- Spiritual Directors / Companions
- Volunteer Spiritual Caregivers
- Faith Leaders Seeking Deeper Formation
- Individuals Transitioning Into Chaplaincy / Care Roles
Our Seven Pillars of Formation
- Presence & Attunement
- Self-Awareness & Inner Formation
- Trauma & Human Wounding
- Wisdom & Discernment
- Spiritual & Existential Care
- Relational Ethics & Boundaries
- Sustaining the Caregiver
Training Pathways
Foundations Certificate
Foundational formation in presence-based spiritual care and chaplaincy principles.
Advanced Formation Certificate
Expanded development in trauma-informed care, discernment, existential care, and advanced practice.
Supervisor / Mentor Track
Training for leaders, mentors, and supervisors overseeing developing chaplains.
Organizational Cohorts
Customized training pathways for hospices, hospitals, ministries, and organizations.
Participants Will Learn To
- Remain grounded in emotionally intense situations
- Offer non-anxious, trauma-aware spiritual care
- Navigate grief, suffering, and existential distress with maturity
- Hold complexity without premature certainty
- Support meaning-making without imposing belief
- Maintain ethical boundaries and relational integrity
- Sustain long-term caregiving through healthy rhythms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CFI equivalent to CPE?
CFI is not Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), though it complements and enhances traditional CPE by emphasizing formation, emotional awareness, trauma understanding, and presence-based caregiving competencies.
Is this training faith-specific?
CFI is spiritually rooted while designed to serve individuals from diverse faith and philosophical backgrounds. Our framework honors the sacred dignity of all persons and prepares caregivers for diverse care environments.
Can organizations bring CFI training to their teams?
Yes. We offer organizational cohorts, custom trainings, and partnership pathways for institutions seeking formation-based staff development.
Become the Kind of Caregiver Whose Presence Heals
The world does not merely need more trained caregivers. It needs more formed caregivers.