How long is the program?
Our Certified Biblical Counselor Program is split into two levels.
Each one is different in length and provides different levels of training and education.
Each one is different in length and provides different levels of training and education.
Level I is five modules and fulfills all of the educational requirements for certification with IABC. This equals about 15 months (including breaks between modules) from beginning to end. The modules of Level I are:
- Foundations of Biblical Counseling Students who take this course will be involved in studying matters such as the history of psychology; the foundations of Biblical Counseling; comparing secular psychology with Biblical counseling; basic strategies and skill-sets necessary to do Biblical counseling in a variety of contexts; evaluating methodologies used in counseling; hands-on study of practical materials for one-on-one and group counseling situations including addictions and abuse-survivor dynamics; formulating a solid, Biblical approach to counseling in today's world. (Module length, 12 weeks)
- Dynamics of Biblical Change This course is part of laying the foundation of Biblical counseling. Whether individual, family, group, or church counseling is being done, transformational change toward godly belief and life is the primary goal. Application is made to most areas encountered by pastors and disciplers/Biblical counselors. Underlying emphasis is on developing strategies and applying Scriptural principles to effect Biblical change. Students are encouraged to become "change experts" by going through a change project of their own. The blessing to the students and those they will one day counsel is immense. (Module length is 10 weeks)
- Humanity & Sin Our view of humankind and on sin go a long way toward determining how we approach the problems and brokenness of those who come for pastoral help and counseling. This course is a study the nature of humanity and sin. We will look at the nature of humanity from a both a Biblical and an historically Christian perspective. We will spend time understanding the different theories about what it means to be created in the image of God. The issue of free will shall be covered with sensitivity and conviction, tracing the debate through the centuries. We will also wrestle with issues pertaining to the nature, purpose, and design of the sexes, understanding that our stance will ultimately affect our view of marriage and society. (Module is 10 weeks)
- Hermeneutics The "art & science" of Biblical interpretation is vital to the Biblical counselor, as our primary tool is "properly interpreted Scripture, properly applied." This course integrates both general and specific principles of Biblical interpretation and the inductive method of Bible study, with the primary emphasis being on the grammatical-historical-literary method of interpretation. The course will provide the student with a complete methodology that can be used to study any book of the Bible. (Module is 8 weeks)
- Unbound Robust discipleship curriculum effective for bringing people freedom from the bondage of the sins they have committed, the evils they have suffered, and the lies they have believed. Thousands have found freedom from besetting sin patterns while developing a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. Powerful alternative to any and all "addiction recovery" programs. (Module is 13 weeks)
- Counseling Lab The goal of this module is to give students supervised, hands-on experience in counseling techniques, as well as to develop personal listening and guidance techniques. In this module, Case Studies and Role Plays comprise the majority of the class sessions. Level and quality of personal participation are the only grading criteria for this module. (Conducted as a weekend intensive; two intensives required to complete Level I)
Level II delves into areas of problems and brokenness that are more difficult and significant and which are encountered regularly by the church but are too often referred out to "professionals," many of whom do not pray with their clients and rarely if ever utilize God's Word in counseling. Level II is comprised of five modules, which will take about 20 months to complete (this includes breaks between modules, including the summer off between modules 8 and 9).
Level II courses equip those in leadership and counseling roles to bring God's "diagnosis" and remedy to bear on the deeper and harder-to-resolve matters of many in the Church in our time.
Level II courses equip those in leadership and counseling roles to bring God's "diagnosis" and remedy to bear on the deeper and harder-to-resolve matters of many in the Church in our time.
- Marriage & Family Counseling This 12-week Module seeks to equip students to approach Marriage & Family Counseling from a Biblical perspective in a Google-ized, sexualized society. Many family issues of today - disintegrated families, single-parent households, blended families, addiction, etc. - were almost unheard of a few decades ago. Now they are common place.
- Addiction & Recover Models This 12-week module equips students to understand addiction from a Biblical perspective and to sort through the differing theories and modalities usually brought to bear on chemical and behavioral dependency. A more thorough understanding of the 12-Step model and the "Christian" modifications will be presented, as well as options that are more viable and gain far greater results and that do not integrate non-Biblical approaches.
- Crisis & Trauma Counseling This 10-week Module seeks to help students develop a foundation for assessing and treating ongoing- and post-trauma events as well as their effects in adults, plus recognize trauma responses in children. Familiarization with a variety of crisis and trauma events experienced by counselees who seek help from pastors and Biblical counselors is provided. Underlying emphasis is on developing strategies and applying Scriptural principles to identify the ongoing current problems that are present in the life of the traumatized counselee and affected family members, if possible, and guide the parties involved to effect Biblical healing and restoration.
- Counseling Survivors of Abuse (Using the Mending the Soul and other curricula) This 12-week Module will develop the students' understanding of abuse and neglect, their effects, and how to utilize various materials, including the Mending the Soul curriculum, to help bring healing and wholeness to survivors. Those who successfully complete this module will be equipped to support the pastoral counseling ministry in most churches and be equipped to facilitate support groups for survivors of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
- Sexual Brokenness This 12-week module describes in detail the Biblical paradigm for healthy human sexuality and expression, and address the most common deviations from that norm the students are likely to face. Application for addressing sexual brokenness in the lives of those we encounter in most areas of pastoral ministry, from professional, to paraprofessional, to lay person. Underlying emphasis is on developing strategies and applying Scriptural principles to bring transformation change and bring sustained healing to the broken.
- Quote from the professor: "I am going to take your 'blush' away., so perhaps you can be the one person in the Church who will allow someone with the deepest kind of brokenness find the grace and truth of Christ."
- Counseling Lab The goal of this module is to give students supervised, hands-on experience in counseling techniques, as well as to develop personal listening and guidance techniques. In this module, Case Studies and Role Plays comprise the majority of the class sessions. Level and quality of personal participation are the only grading criteria for this module. (Conducted as a weekend intensive; two intensives required to complete Level II)
- Counseling Supervision (Required for Certification) The goal of this "module" is to give students supervised, hands-on experience in counseling techniques, as well as to develop personal listening and guidance techniques.This 50-hour Module is a prerequisite for becoming a Certified Biblical Counselor with IABC and Truth in Love Biblical Counseling Center. Live-Streaming students are able to serve as interns with our counseling arm while attending classes instead of having to wait until the educational aspect is completed.
