ABOUT ECTC

Who We Are and Why We Exist

ECTC stands for Expository Counseling Training Center. Established in 2008 to equip the body of Christ to faithfully minister God’s Word to others—and to themselves—during the trials and tribulations of life.

Specifically, ECTC seeks to provide biblical insight, resources, and training to individuals, organizations and churches in biblical counseling and biblical discipleship that will lead to knowing Jesus Christ, becoming like Jesus Christ and being useful to Jesus Christ in His agenda. Our mission has two key aspects, Biblical Counseling and Church Development.

While ECTC is certified as a training center through ACBC, we are not ACBC, nor do we exist primarily to move people through a certification process. Our mission is biblical equipping.

We believe Scripture is sufficient and that God’s Word provides answers and hope that secular methodologies fail to provide. Certification is optional. Biblical equipping is the goal.

How ECTC Training Relates to ACBC (and How It Doesn’t)

ECTC training can assist students who are pursuing ACBC certification, but all certification requirements are established entirely by ACBC, not by ECTC.

What ECTC Can Assist With (Phase 1):

  • All ECTC training formats (CDT, In-Person Zoom, and Online Self-Paced) count toward the 30 hours of ACBC training required for Phase 1.

This is an added benefit, not the primary purpose of our courses.

For full and current ACBC requirements (Phase 1, etc.), we encourage you to review their website directly: https://biblicalcounseling.com/training/certification/

Important Distinctions Between ECTC Training Formats

Counseling Discipleship Training (CDT Fundamentals – In-Person 3 Weekends

CDT trainings - (are not only for those pursuing ACBC certification - open to everyone)

  • Designed to provide foundational biblical counseling training
  • Count toward the 30 hours of ACBC Phase 1 training
  • Ideal for anyone seeking:
  • A strong foundation in biblical counseling
  • A concentrated, in-person learning experience
  • Focused, intensive, and foundational training
  • Does not include:
  • ACBC’s 1,000-page reading requirement
  • Counseling observation videos

If your desire is to learn the fundamentals of counseling from Scripture, the 3 weekend CDT - Fundamentals is an excellent option—whether or not you are pursuing certification. This training is open to everyone.

Advanced Counseling Discipleship Training

For those who are already trained or seeking advanced, in-person equipping, ECTC also offers an Advanced CDT Conference focused on trauma and suffering.

This training is designed for sharpening and advanced discipleship training and is not certification preparation.

This training is open to everyone.

In-Person Zoom Classes (Thursday Nights)

These classes are intentionally designed to provide far more than the 30-hour minimum.

  • Ongoing, weekly, relational training
  • Designed for deep, holistic equipping
  • Includes:
  • Extensive reading (meeting ACBC’s 1,000-page requirement)
  • Approximately 5 hours of counseling observation videos (with the possibility of more as time allows)
  • Live instruction with a professor
  • Ongoing discussion, interaction, and application

These classes exist because our goal is not to just give the minimum, but to further equip the saints for long-term, faithful ministry.

If you desire to be poured into weekly, learn in community, and benefit from live instruction, Thursday nights are for you.

Online Self-Paced Courses

  • Provide deep and far-reaching biblical counseling instruction
  • Ideal for those who want to go deeper faster on their own schedule
  • Counts toward the 30-hour ACBC training requirement
  • Includes assigned reading and coursework
  • Does not include:
  • Counseling observation videos
  • Live professor interaction

This option is best suited for independent learners who desire strong biblical training with scheduling flexibility.

Hosting ECTC Training at Your Church or Ministry

ECTC also offers the option to bring training directly to your church or ministry team. These sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of pastors, leaders, counselors, and discipleship teams and may include fundamentals or intensive formats.

If you are interested in hosting a training, we would be glad to discuss available options. Feel free to reach out to us.

CEU Information

This training has been submitted to ACBC for consideration toward Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for certified counselors. Approval is pending at this time and has not yet been confirmed. Participants will be notified if CEU approval is granted.

We Offer Videos, Sermons, Bible Studies, Books, Workbooks And Even Basic Training Courses That Will Help You Grow In Spiritual Maturity And Develop In Expository Counseling

ECTC Bookstore