Counselor Certification Program

Welcome to the Counselor Certification Program
at the Center for Biblical Counseling (CBC)

Our mission is to equip individuals with the essential knowledge and skills to provide effective, distinctly biblically based, reformed, and evangelical counseling/discipleship for those experiencing life’s challenges. The CBC’s three-phase certification program is designed to foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the true, good, and beautiful. It emphasizes life transformation through loving God, preferring others, and fully embracing the concept of living All of Christ for All of Life.

 

Explore Foundational Aspects

In this phase, participants explore the foundational aspects of Understanding Biblical Counseling/Discipleship. They will gain insights into what Biblical Counseling entails and how it differs from various forms of counseling, including "Christian" Counseling.

Courses

BC100
BC101
BC102

Biblical Counseling: Addressing Perceptions & Problems

This phase aims to provide an understanding and perspective on concerns and trials through the wisdom of God’s Word. His Word is true and is the path to living a peaceful, productive, and blessed life. A life of service; the mature and abundant life.

Coming Soon!

Practicum

This phase allows individuals to fully engage in counseling/discipleship observations, practice, and supervision, integrating their learning into practical application. This stage is intended to further enhance the relational component of the CBC certification program.

Coming Soon!

Courses: BC100, BC101, BC102

[BC100] Biblical Counseling I - An Introduction

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of biblical counseling through the lens of Reformed and Evangelical Theology.  Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of counseling based on a distinctly Christ-centered worldview. The course will focus on how the Word of God shapes the counseling process, emphasizing the importance of God’s covenantal relationship with His people and its implications for the counseling process.

Through this course, students will learn that an understanding of the Gospel is the foundation for establishing a counseling model/methodology that is transformative; that is life-giving.  It is a course that will seek to drive students to embrace Sola Scriptura and embrace the truth that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for living the mature and abundant life.                     

Program of Study

Sermons/Lectures/Presentations
  • What is Biblical Counseling?  
  • Qualifications: Who Should Be a Counselor?                               
  • The Counseling Context                         
  • Biblical Counseling and Psychology
  • Theology and the Bible 
Required Readings/Audiobooks
Books
  • Competent to Counsel, Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling by Dr. Jay Adams
  • Gospel Centered Counseling by Robert W. Kellemen
  • Counseling, How to Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur & the Master’s College Faculty
    • Part 1. The Historic Background of Biblical Counseling, Chapters 1-3 (Pages 3-47)
  • Holy Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Psalms, Proverbs
  • Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture back to God by Kenneth D. Boa
Articles
  • Psychology and Biblical Counseling by Mike Lawyer
  • What is Biblical Counseling by Mike Lawyer
Recommended Reading (Not Required)
  • Christ Church Bible Reading Challenge
  • The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions
  • Heaven Misplaced – Christ’s Kingdom on Earth   by Douglas Wilson
  • Victory in Jesus: The Bright Hope of Postmillennialism by Dr. Greg Bahnsen
  • Stand Firm, Living in a Post-Christian Culture by John MacArthur (Canon+)
Certification Requirements/Assigmemnts
  1. Summarize Dr. Mike Lawyer’s five lectures and provide an outline of each.
  2. Answer the Chapter Review Questions for the book “Competent to Counsel,  Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling, by Jay Adams.
  3. Respond to 15 Review Questions related to Gospel Centered Counseling, by Robert W. Kellemen.
  4. Write a 7-10-page reaction paper on the topic: “Understanding Biblical Counseling” after completing the assigned readings.
  5. Create and follow a personal Bible Reading Plan (60 Day) for the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), maintaining a Scripture Reading Journal throughout the process.
  6. A minimum of three (3) hours of conversation/discussion (mentorship) with a CBC Certified counselor over the course material.
Certification Examination Folder
Contents:
  1.  Summary Outline of each of Dr. Lawyers five (5) lectures.
  2. Chapter Review Questions from Competent to Counsel, Introduction to Nouthetic Counseling.
  3. 15 Review Questions on Gospel Centered Counseling.
  4. The 7-10-page reaction paper considering the topic:  What is Biblical Counseling?  
  5. Scripture Reading Journal

The Completed Examination Folder must be submitted 30 days prior to the Oral Examination Final.

 

Certification Final

Oral Examination w/CBC Supervisor

[BC101] Biblical Counseling II: Process and Principles - Get Wisdom

Course Description

This course is designed to build on the BC100 content, deepen students’ knowledge in the biblical counseling process. Focusing on the principles and method of Biblical counseling, this course equips students with essential thoughts and skills for compassionate and effective counseling rooted in truth of God’s Word. Students will explore the biblical counseling principles of active listening, ethical data collection, and the art of structuring and fostering trust in initial counseling sessions. Emphasis is placed on the application of biblical truths through building significant relationships, assignment of meaningful homework, and fostering an understanding of the transformative power of God’s truth and grace. By the end of the course, students will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate various counseling scenarios with wisdom, compassion, and a solid grounding in biblical principles.

Program of Study

Sermons/Lectures/Presentations
  • Gathering Data
  • Pointing the Data to God                     
  • The First Counseling Session                             
  • The Second Counseling Session             
  • Change and Spiritual Growth                 
  • Biblical Instruction and the Need for Homework                        
  • Confession of Sin and Forgiveness                     
Required Readings/Audiobooks
Books
  • How to Help People Change, The Four-Step Biblical Process by Jay Adams
  • Counseling, How to Counsel Biblically by John MacArthur & the Master’s College Faculty
    • Part II.  The Theological Foundations of Biblical Counseling Chapters 4-7 (Pages 51-97)
  • Wisdom, Not Knowledge, Thoughts on Christian Counseling by Jim Wilson
  • Wisdom From Above, Parts I, II, III by Pastor Douglas Wilson (Canon+)
  • Wisdom for Kings and Queens by Jared Longshore (Canon+)
  • My Life for Yours by Douglas Wilson
  • Holy Bible: Epistles of Paul (Romans, Hebrews, I & II Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon), Psalms, Proverbs
Recommended Reading (Not Required)
  • Stand Firm, Living in a Post-Christian Culture by John MacArthur (Canon+)
  • Godly Wisdom Worldly Folly, I Corinthians 1:18-31 by Dr. George Grant (Canon+)
  • Wisdom for Trials (James1:2-5) by Pastor Douglas Wilson
  • Get Wisdom, Parts I, II by Dr. Ben Merkle
  • Godly Wisdom Worldly Folly, I Corinthians 1:18-31 by Dr. George Grant (Canon+)
  • Wisdom From Above, Parts I, II, III by Pastor Douglas Wilson (Canon+)
  • Wisdom for Trials (James1:2-5) by Pastor Douglas Wilson
Certification Requirements/Assigmemnts
  1. Outline and briefly summarize each of Dr. Lawyers eight (8) lectures
  2. Chapter Review Questions from How People Change by Jay Adams
  3. 15 Review Questions on Wisdom, Not Knowledge, Thoughts on Christian Counseling by Jim Wilson
  4. Write a 5–7-page summary paper (typed and double-spaced) outlining the weekly liturgy of a Christian family seeking to live out the wisdom of God’s Word.  Highlight the roles of the Husband, Wife, and Children.
  5. Following the completion of the required reading, write a 7–10-page (typed and double-  spaced) reaction paper considering the topic – Wisdom: The Principal Thing.
  6. Create and follow a personal Bible Reading Plan (60 Day) for the Letters of Paul (Romans, Hebrews, I & II Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon), maintaining a Scripture Reading Journal throughout the process.
  7. A minimum of three (3) hours of conversation/discussion (mentorship) with a CBC Certified counselor over the course material.
Certification Examination Folder
Contents:
  1. Summary Outline of each of Dr. Lawyers eight (8) lectures.
  2. Chapter Review Questions from How People Change by Jay Adams
  3. Review Questions on Wisdom, Not Knowledge, Thoughts on Christian Counseling by Jim Wilson
  4. The 5–7-page summary paper outlining the weekly liturgy of a Christian family seeking to live out the wisdom of God’s Word.
  5. The reaction paper on Wisdom: The Principal Thing
  6. The Bible Reading Plan for the Letters of Paul

The Completed Examination Folder must be submitted 30 days prior to the Oral Examination Final.

 

Certification Final

Oral Examination w/CBC Supervisor

Coming Soon!