About Anam Cara CPE
A Soul-Centered Approach to Clinical Pastoral Education
Anam Cara means soul friend—a companion who walks beside you in your formation, holding space for both your growth and your becoming. That’s who we strive to be.
At Anam Cara CPE, we offer nationally accredited, fully online Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) that blends deep spiritual formation with professional clinical training. Our students serve in hospitals, hospices, military units, correctional facilities, parishes, shelters, and sacred spaces in between. We meet them where they are—literally and spiritually.
Why We Exist
We believe that spiritual care matters—and so does how it’s offered.
We also know that many caregivers feel isolated, undertrained, or unsure how to take the next step toward professional chaplaincy or personal transformation.
That’s why we created a CPE experience that is:
Flexible and Online
No relocation. No disruption. Real formation, wherever you are.
Accredited and Recognized
Our programs meet the highest standards through our affiliation with Clinical Pastoral Education International (CPEI), accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Trauma-Informed and Spiritually Grounded
We hold space for your whole self—not just your competencies.
How We’re Different
We don’t just teach spiritual care—we embody it.
Our supervisors are not only board-certified and clinically trained; many have served in the same settings you do. We get the pressures, the complexity, the spiritual weight of the work. And we guide with compassion, not control. We also believe formation should be affordable, accessible, and human. No gatekeeping. No busywork. Just clear expectations, supportive guidance, and meaningful transformation.
Who We Serve
Anam Cara CPE is home to:
Chaplains and chaplain candidates preparing for certification.
Bivocational ministers and spiritual directors deepening their practice
Healthcare and hospice workers seeking clinical-grade formation.
Military and correctional caregivers training for spiritually complex environments and anyone seeking to serve with more presence, clarity, and care.
Our Invitation to You
If you’re ready to grow—not just in skill, but in soul—
If you’re looking for a CPE experience that honors your humanity and calls forth your best self—
We’d love to walk alongside you.
Anam Cara CPE. Soul-centered. Clinically excellent. Rooted in the work that matters.
