Church Development

Expository Counseling Training Center seeks to provide online and onsite based training for Biblical Counseling. ECTC provides 5 basic biblical counseling training courses that are developed by Dr. Nicolas Ellen. Each level of teaching is 14 weeks in length. There are also outside class readings, Scripture memorization, make-the-connection assignments, and case studies. Tuition is $350 per Level. The 5 basic biblical counseling training courses developed by Dr. Ellen have been used by an Association of Certified Biblical Counselors Training Center (The College of Biblical Studies) as part of their process to move individuals into ACBC certification.

Syllabus

Attached below is a syllabus that lays out the details of each course.

Online Bookstore

Most of the curriculum for each level can be purchased online through our bookstore. The syllabus for the course will let you know what books you need for each level and when you need them. (Review the syllabus for more details.)

Special Offer to Churches

For a limited time, we have a special offer to churches who are interested in this program. Please contact us for more information.

Expository Counseling Center Training Courses / Church Proposal

 

Program Breakdown

Level One: Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counseling                    

(14 Weeks broken down into two 7 Weeks segments tuition being $175 per 7Weeks with the total of $350 for the entire 14 weeks)

In this level, students will learn the connection between systematic theology and biblical counseling. Students will evaluate the doctrine of God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Man, Sin, Salvation, Sanctification, various others doctrines and learn how genuine biblical counseling comes out of these doctrines. Students will also learn the history of the biblical counseling movement in the United States.

Level Two: Biblical Framework Basic Training Course

(14 Weeks broken down into two 7 Weeks segments tuition being $175 per 7Weeks with the total of $350 for the entire 14 weeks)

In this level, students will learn the basic principles of Biblical Counseling and be able to distinguish it from secular counseling and counseling that integrates psychology and the Bible. Students will learn how the Bible has its own framework by which we can address any and all non-organic problems from the Scriptures. This includes those issues that the world would describe as psychological or mental disorders. Students will learn how to analyze issues from a biblical framework, categorize issues through a biblical framework, and provide biblical solutions through a biblical framework.

Level Three: Common Issues We Face in Life 

(14 Weeks broken down into two 7 Weeks segments tuition being $175 per 7Weeks with the total of $350 for the entire 14 weeks)

In this level, students will explore issues such as the fear of man, idolatrous lust, depression, divorce, separation, abuse, remarriage, death, trials, suffering, psychotropic drugs, biblical view of self-esteem, dealing with the past and many other issues and learn to deal with them from a biblical perspective.

Level Four: Marriage and Family Basic Training Course

(14 Weeks broken down into two 7 Weeks segments tuition being $175 per 7Weeks with the total of $350 for the entire 14 weeks)

In this level, students will learn the foundations for marriage and family as God designed. Students will explore God’s design for marriage as well explore some basic parenting skills.

Level Five: The Dynamics of Biblical Counseling

(14 Weeks broken down into two 7 Weeks segments tuition being $175 per 7Weeks with the total of $350 for the entire 14 weeks)

In this level, students will learn the mechanics of biblical counseling. Students will observe 12 hours of biblical counseling as well as do some case studies. Students also will learn concepts of biblical analysis, categories of biblical change, phases and stages of biblical change, and categories of homework for counselees. Moreover, students will learn policies and procedures for governing a counseling ministry, how to use a personal data inventory form, how to use a consent to counsel form, how to organize and structure a counseling session as well as how to fill out a case report form after a session.

 

Coursework Description

Class Time

Students will spend 2-3 hours in class listening to a lecture and participating in small group interactions pertaining to the course. During this class time students will be able to ask questions and discuss matters pertaining to the course.

 

 

 

 

Outside Class Reading

The students will be required to read the Bible books of John, Hebrews, Romans, James, 1 John, 1 Peter, Ephesians, Proverbs, 2 Peter, and Galatians. Students will also be required to read The Heart of Man and The Mental DisordersDeceptive DiagnosisUnderstanding and Developing a Biblical View of LifeInstruments in the Redeemer’s HandSo You Want to Get Married(for singles), Happy Even After (for married couples), Shepherding a Child’s HeartWith All Your HeartComing to Know and Walk with GodHow People ChangePursuing Godliness through the Disciplines of the Christian FaithEvery Christian a CounselorPeacemakerThe Biblical Counseling MovementTheology of Christian CounselingCounseling by The Book (Revised and Expanded Edition)Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology and A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry (Heath Lambert).

Scripture Memorization  

Students will memorize 16 Scripture verses to enhance their counseling.

Make-the-Connections and Case Studies

In order to teach students how to analyze problems through a biblical framework and to categorize problems through a biblical framework, students will be given 50 make-the-connection assignments over the course of study. These assignments will challenge the student’s skill in connecting various characteristics to a biblical framework. Students will be assigned 30 counseling cases over the entire training period to teach them how to analyze, categorize and solve problems from a biblical framework perspective.

Counseling Supervision

For students who are interested in being certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors  and have moved into phase 3 of their certification process (see ACBC website for more details of the phases of certification) Dr. Nicolas Ellen is available for a limited time to be your fellow for 50 session of supervision required by ACBC. This will entail filling out case report forms and counseling logs, tape recording five of one’s counseling sessions to be listened to by Dr. Ellen for evaluation of one’s skill, discussing the dynamics of various counseling cases, and developing in biblical counseling methods through the 50 sessions of supervision. There is a cost to this service that is not included in the tuition.