BIBLICAL TRAINING
By: Dr. Nicolas Ellen
Training Overview
ECTC (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. Tuition is $450 per Level online and $350 per Level for in person training.
You will be able to purchase most of your course material through the ECTC online bookstore.
The Three Ways to Receive the Training
Program Breakdown
Details Of Each Level Of Training
Level I - Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counseling
Textbooks Required for Level 1
- A Theology of Christian Counseling by Jay Adams
- The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context by David Powlison
- Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counseling by Nicolas Ellen
- Counseling By The Book (Revised and Expanded Edition) by John Babler (editors John Babler and Nicolas Ellen)
- Read the entire book of John at least 6 times while going through this module (Minimum of once a week).
- Begin reading A Theology of Christian Counseling by Jay Adams
- Begin reading The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context by David Powlison
- Begin Reading Counseling by the Book(Revised and Expanded Edition) by John Babler
- Memorize John 3:16-18 & John 14:6 by the end of this module.
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counseling by Nicolas Ellen
Week One - Section One - What Makes Biblical Counseling Biblical?
Week Two - Section Two - The Theological Foundations for Biblical Counseling
Week Three - Section Three - The Doctrine of God and Biblical Counseling
Week Four -Section Four - The Doctrine Christ/ Holy Spirit and Biblical Counseling
Week Five -Section Five - The Doctrine of Truth/ Scriptures and Biblical Counseling
Week Six -Section Six - The Doctrine of Man /Sin and Biblical Counseling
Week Seven - Section Seven - The Doctrine of The Gospel/Salvation and Biblical Counseling
- Read the entire book of Hebrews at least 6 times while going through this module (Minimum of once a week).
- Finish reading A Theology of Christian Counseling by Jay Adams
- Finish reading The Biblical Counseling Movement: History and Context by David Powlison
- Finish reading Counseling By The Book(Revised and Expanded Edition) by John Babler
- Memorize Hebrews 1:1-2, 3-4.
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Theological Building Blocks for Biblical Counseling by Nicolas Ellen
Week Eight - Section Eight - The Doctrine of Mortification/Sanctification and Biblical Counseling
Week Nine - Section Nine - The Essence of Spiritual Development /Maturity and Biblical Counseling
Week Ten - Section Ten - The Doctrine of Spiritual Warfare/Sanctification Process and Biblical Counseling
Week Eleven - Section Eleven - The Point of Choice/The Purpose of Life and Biblical Counseling
Week Twelve - Section Twelve - Physical Illness/Christians on Psychotropic Drugs and Biblical Counseling
Week Thirteen - Section Thirteen - The Need of Relationships and Biblical Counseling
Week Fourteen - Section Fourteen - Understanding the Church and Biblical Counseling
Level II - Biblical Framework Counseling
Textbooks Required for Level 2
- The Heart of Man and the Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson (go to www.biblicalframeworkcounseling.org to purchase this books)
- Deceptive Diagnosis by David Tyler & Kurt Grady
- Understanding and Developing a Biblical View of Life by Nicolas Ellen
- Biblical Framework Basic Training Course by Nicolas Ellen
- Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkley Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Read the entire book of Romans at least 6 times while going through this module (Minimum of once a week).
- Begin reading The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the assigned reading in your syllabus
- Read the entire book Deceptive Diagnosis by David Tyler & Kurt Grady by the end of this module.
- Begin reading Understanding and Developing a Biblical View of Life by Nicolas Ellen (The first nine sections).
- Memorize Proverbs 28:1 & 1John 4:17-18 by the end of this module.
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Biblical Framework Counseling Basic Training Course workbook by Nicolas Ellen.
WEEK ONE - SECTION ONE
- NO STUDENT IS ABOVE HIS TEACHER; WORLD VIEW KEY QUESTIONS
- EVALUATING A COUNSELING MODEL, THREE MAJOR TYPES OF COUNSELING SYSTEMS; WHY PROMOTE BIBLICAL COUNSELING ABOVE OTHER COUNSELING MODELS?
- REASONS WE SHOULD NOT INTEGRATE HUMAN WISDOM WITH THE WORD OF GOD
- REVIEW OF WHY TO PROMOTE BIBLICAL COUNSELING ABOVE OTHER COUNSELING MODELS
- READ: THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS(INTRODUCTION)
WEEK TWO - SECTION TWO
- REASONS WE SHOULD NOT INTEGRATE HUMAN WISDOM WITH THE WORD OF GOD
- THE NATURE OF MAN
- THE CONNECTION OF MAN’S MENTAL SOUNDNESS WITH HIS IMMATERIAL BEING
- THREE KEY RESPONSES TO PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES
- WHAT I CANNOT AND CAN CONTROL
- WHAT MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BEFORE GOD AND WHAT MAN IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BEFORE GOD
- READ: THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS;(THE NATURE OF MAN CH 1)
WEEK THREE - SECTION THREE
- HOW PEACE , MENTAL SOUNDNESS, AND STABILITY ARE CONNECTED TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
- THE CENTRALITY OF SALVATION
- THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL AMNESIA
- THE DECEPTION OF COUNTERFEIT APPROACHES TO CHANGE
- THE REWARDS OF PURSUING GENUINE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
WEEK FOUR - SECTION FOUR
- THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK FOR DIAGNOSING AND DEALING WITH MAN’S MENTAL UNSOUNDNESS
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (EFFECTS OF SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, BASIC RIGHTEOUSNESS AND BASIC SIN, MOVING FROM UNLOVING TO LOVING CH2-CH5)
WEEK FIVE - SECTION FIVE
- THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK FOR DIAGNOSING AND DEALING WITH MAN’S MENTAL UNSOUNDNESS
- THE PLACE OF LOVE IN DIAGNOSING AND DEALING WITH MAN’S MENTAL SOUNDNESS
- UNDERSTANDING ANGER
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (THE FOUR KINDS OF LOVE, AGAPE LOVE AND ITS ABSENCE, IMMATERIAL EFFECTS OF LOVING, IMMATERIAL EFFECTS OF NOT LOVING CH16-CH 17, CH 19-CH 24, ANGER CH 15)
WEEK SIX - SECTION SIX
- EXPRESSION OF LOVE
- THE FOUR KINDS OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
- CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD TO EMBRACE
- 7 HABITS OF EFFECTIVE CHRISTIANS
- HOW TO BE A MATURE CHRISTIAN
- LIVING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, REVIEW OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING FRAMEWORK
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (OPEN LOVE CH25-CH29)WEEK SEVEN SECTION SEVEN
- THE CONSCIENCE AND BIBLICAL COUNSELING
- TRUE GUILT VS. FALSE GUILT
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (CONSCIENCE CH6-CH11)
WEEK SEVEN - SECTION SEVEN
- THE CONSCIENCE AND BIBLICAL COUNSELING
- TRUE GUILT VS. FALSE GUILT
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (CONSCIENCE CH6-CH11)
- Read the entire book of James at least 6 times while going through this module (Minimum of once a week).
- Continue reading The Heart of Man and the Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the assigned reading in your syllabus.
- Finish reading Understanding and Developing a Biblical View of Life by Nicolas Ellen (Read the last nine sections).
- Read the entire book Why Christians Can’t Trust Psychology by Ed Bulkley by the end of this module.
- Memorize 1John 3:20-21 & Proverbs 28:13 by the end of this module
- In the workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen do 7 make the connection assignments /week ( from week eight to week thirteen). Then do the last 8 make the connection assignments on week fourteen
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Biblical Framework Counseling Basic Training Course workbook by Nicolas Ellen
WEEK EIGHT - SECTION EIGHT
- EMOTIONS
- CATEGORIES OF JOY AND SORROW
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (EMOTIONS, JOY AND SORROW CH12-14)
WEEK NINE - SECTION NINE
- THE TYPES OF FEARS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE
- FEAR OF WORRY VS. FEAR OF GOD’S JUDGMENT (ANXIETY)
- EXPRESSIONS OF LACK OF LOVE, SENSE OF GUILT, AU FEAR, AU FLEEING
- BIBLICAL DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL DISORDERS USING THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK
- AREAS IN OUR LIVES WHERE WE CAN FIND THE LACK OF LOVE
- BIBLICAL DIAGNOSIS USING THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (HOW TO COUNSEL PP. 943-983 OLD EDITION PP. 1177-1223 NEW EDITION)
WEEK TEN - SECTION TEN
- BIBLICAL VIEW OF SELF-ESTEEM, SELF IMAGE, SELF LOVE
WEEK ELEVEN - SECTION ELEVEN
- HOW THINKING CAN AFFECT THE BODY
- TWO LEVEL SINS
- HYPER-CRITICISM AND PERSONALITY CONFLICTS
- BIBLICAL DIAGNOSIS OF A PROBLEM USING THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK
- READ THE HEART OF MAN AND THE MENTAL DISORDERS (SOMATO FORM DISORDERS PP. 571-582 OLD EDITION PP. 789-798 NEW EDITION, CH 35 TWO LEVEL SINS, PROJECTION, PROJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION PP. 545 OLD EDITION PP.759 NEW EDITION)
WEEK TWELVE - SECTION TWELVE
- FORGIVENESS
WEEK THIRTEEN - SECTION THIRTEEN
- DECISION MAKING IN THE WILL OF GOD
WEEK FOURTEEN - SECTION FOURTEEN
- DISTIGUISHING BETWEEN GOSSIP AND SHARING
- WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN AL TALKS TO BETTY ABOUT CARL?
Level III - How To Deal With Life’s Pitfalls, Pains, and Problems
Textbooks Required for Level 3
- The Heart of Man and the Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson
- Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- With All Your Heart? by Nicolas Ellen
- Coming to Know and Walk With God by Nicolas Ellen
- How People Change by Paul Tripp
- How To Deal With Life’s Pitfalls, Pains, and Problems by Nicolas Ellen
- A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry by Heath Lambert
- Read the entire book of 1John at least 6 times by the end of this module (Minimum of once a week).
- Continue reading The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the syllabus.
- Read the entire book With All Your Heart? by Nicolas Ellen by the end of this module.
- Begin reading Coming to Know and Walk With God by Nicolas Ellen (Read a section a week ).
- Begin reading A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry by Heath Lambert.
- Memorize James 1:13-15 & James 4:1-3 by the end of this module.
- Do one case study/ week in your workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the How To Deal With Life’s Pitfalls, Pains, and Problems workbook by Nicolas Ellen.
Week One - Section One: Pride/Humility
Week Two - Section Two: The Point of Choice
Week Three - Section Three: Idolatrous Lust
Week Four - Section Four: Worry
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Dissociative Disorders)
Week Five - Section Five: The Fear of Man Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Delirium,Dementia, and Amnestic and Other Cognitive Disorders
Week Six - Section Six: Anger/Learning Contentment Read: The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders )
Week Seven - Section Seven: Self-Esteem, Self- Image, Self-Love Read: The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Factitious Disorders)
- Read the entire of book of 1Peter at least 6 times by the end of this module (Minimum of once of week).
- Continue reading The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the syllabus.
- Read the entire book How People Change by Timothy Lane/Paul Tripp * Finish reading Coming to Know and Walk with God by Nicolas Ellen.
- Finish reading A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry by Heath Lambert.
- Memorize Romans 12:3 & 2Corinthians 7:10 by the end of this module.
- Do one case study / week in your workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen.
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the How To Deal With Life’s Pitfalls, Pains, and Problems by Nicolas Ellen.
Week Eight - Section Eight: Trials/ Suffering/Depression
Week Nine - Section Nine: How to Deal with The Past
Week Ten - Section Ten: Decision Making
Week Eleven - Section Eleven: Living by Purpose
Week Twelve - Section Twelve: The Cycle of Relationships
Week Thirteen - Section Thirteen: Abuse, Separation, Divorce, Remarriage
Week Fourteen - Section Fourteen: Categories of Sorrow, Biblical View of Illness, Psychotropic Drugs and Biblical Counseling
Read: The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders
(Substance-Related Disorders)
Level IV - Marriage and Family
Textbooks Required for Level 4
- The Heart of Man and the Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson
- So You Want to Get Married by Nicolas Ellen (for singles only taking the course)
- Happy Even After by Nicolas Ellen (for married couples only taking the course)
- Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Paul Tripp
- Marriage and Family Basic Training Course Second Edition by Nicolas Ellen
- Self-Esteem Self-Image Self-Love: How To Trade The Trinity of Self-Worship for The Triangle of Self-Evaluation by Nicolas Ellen
- Read the entire book of Proverbs by the end of this module.
- Continue reading The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the syllabus.
- Read the entire book Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Paul Tripp
- Memorize Ephesians 6:1-3 & Ephesians 6:4 by the end of this module.
- Do one case study/ week in your workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Marriage and Family Basic Training Course workbook by Nicolas & Venessa Ellen
Week One - Section One: The Purpose of Life/ Being A Sincere Follower of Jesus Christ
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorder (Adjustment Disorders)
Week Two - Section Two: Understanding Manhood/ Understanding Womanhood
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Culture-Bound Syndromes)
Week Three - Section Three: Why Do We Need Relationships?/The Definition and Design of a Family
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Sexual and Gender Disorders)
Week Four - Section Four: Building Relationships With God’s Agenda In Mind Making Friends/ A Biblical Perspective on Dating
Week Five - Section Five: The Purpose of Marriage/ The Role of the Husband/ The Role of the Wife
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Disorders)
Week Six - Section Six: The Pursuit of Oneness/ The Practice of Giving Living to Your Spouse
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Impulse Control Disorders)
Week Seven - Section Seven: The Principles of Sex in The Marriage/ How To Affair-Proof Marriage
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders
(Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence)
- Read the entire book of Proverbs by the end of this module.
- Continue reading The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson according to the syllabus.
- Read the entire book Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Paul Tripp
- Finish reading Self-Esteem, Self-Image Self-Love: How Trade The Trinity of Self-Worship for the Triangle of Self-Evaluation by Nicolas Ellen
- Memorize Ephesians 6:1-3 & Ephesians 6:4 by the end of this module.
- Do one case study/ week in your workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Follow the professor through his lectures in the Marriage and Family Basic Training Course workbook by Nicolas Ellen
Week Eight - Section Eight: Developing Effective Communication in Marriage/Resolving Conflict in Marriage. Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Eating Disorders)
Week Nine - Section Nine: The Danger of Worshiping our Spouses. Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Sleep Disorders)
Week Ten - Section Ten: Foundations for Child Rearing/ The Role of the Father/The Role of The Mother /The Role of the Child
Read The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders (Medical Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition)
Week Eleven - Section Eleven: Parents Do Not Provoke Your Children/ Parents Bring them Up in the Discipline of the Lord
Week Twelve - Section Twelve: Parents Bring Them Up in the Instruction of the Lord
Week Thirteen - Section Thirteen: Abortifacients
Week Fourteen - Section Fourteen: Living By Purpose
Level V - The Dynamics of Biblical Counseling
Textbooks Required for Level 5
- Every Christian a Counselor by Nicolas Ellen
- Pursuing Godliness Through the Disciplines of the Christian Faith by Nicolas Ellen
- The Dynamics of Biblical Counseling second edition by Nicolas Ellen
- The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
- Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand by Paul Tripp
- Read the entire book of Galatians at least 6 times by the end of this module (Minimum of once a week)
- Begin reading Pursuing Godliness Through the Disciplines of the Christian Faith by Nicolas Ellen. (Walk through 2 sections a week)
- Begin reading Every Christian a Counselor by Nicolas Ellen
- Read the entire book The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
- Memorize James 1:2-4 & 1Corinthians 10:13 by the end of this module
- Finish the last two cases in your workbook Practicum by Nicolas Ellen
- Follow the professor through his lectures in The Dynamics of Biblical Counseling second edition workbook by Nicolas Ellen.
Week One: Every Christians a Counselor
Week Two: Lessons I have Learned (Watch Video #1)
Week Three: The Big Picture (Watch Video #2)
Week Four: Policies/Consent To Counsel/Personal Data Inventory (Watch Video #3)
Week Five: The Eight “C” s and the Initial Counseling Session (Watch Video #4)
Week Six: The Cul-de-sacs of Life (Tracks of Counseling) (Watch Video #5)
Week Seven: Data Gathering /Case Report Form (Watch Video #6)
- Read the entire book of 2Peter at least 6 times by the end of this module (Minimum of once a week)
- Finish reading Pursuing Godliness Through The Disciplines of the Christian Faith by Nicolas Ellen
- Finish reading Every Christian a Counselor by Nicolas Ellen
- Read the entire book Instruments in a Redeemer’s Hands by the end of this module
- Memorize James 1:22 & 1Thessalonians 5:14 by the end of this
Week Eight: When Encouragement is Not Enough (Watch Video #7)
Week Nine: Hope (Watch Video #8)
Week Ten: Emotions (Watch Video #9)
Week Eleven: Understanding and Dealing with Categories of Sorrow (Watch Video #10)
Week Twelve: What You and Cannot Control (Watch Video #11)
Week Thirteen: The Point of Choice
Week Fourteen: Developing in Love for God and Love For Others (Video #12)
ACBC Exam Preparation Training
Students will be provided with the latest videos to go over the entire ACBC Exam questions
IABC Certification
For People Pursuing IABC Certification, we will also be provided them with the latest videos to go over each question as well and then issue the exam accordingly. Once the exam is passed, the student pursuing IABC will then go immediately into 50 sessions of supervision in relation to their counseling. If supervision goes well then each person pursuing IABC will be certified as an IABC Counselor.
2024 Live Zoom Training Schedule
On Zoom, Dr. Ellen is teaching through all 5 levels of training starting with Level 1 going into Level 5, for a limited time and with limited space. The schedule below represents the training that he will be providing this year on Thursday nights from 6:30pm to 9:30pm CT. See dates below and register accordingly.
Level 2
Biblical Framework Counseling
(two 7-week modules guiding students through a biblical theological diagnostic for counseling as well as a biblical theological methodology for counseling)
201 - Biblical Framework Counseling
(Click Here To Register for 201)
01-25-24 Section One
02-01-24 Section Two
02-08-24 Section Three
02-22-24 Section Four
03-07-24 Section Five
03-14-24 Section Six
03-21-24 Section Seven
202 - Biblical Framework Counseling
(Click Here To Register for 202)
04-11-24 Section Eight
04-18-24 Section Nine
05-02-24 Section Ten
05-16-24 Section Eleven
05-23-24 Section Twelve
05-30-24 Section Thirteen
06-06-24 Section Fourteen
Level 3
How To Deal With Life's Pitfalls, Pains, and Problems
(two 7-week modules connecting basic systematic theology with fundaments of biblical counseling)
301 - How to Deal With Life
(Click Here To Register for 301)
07-25-24 Section One
06-08-24 Sections Two
06-15-24 Section Three
06-22-24 Section Four
06-29-24 Section Five
07-20-24 Section Six
07-27-24 Section Seven
302 - How to Deal With Life
(Click Here To Register for 302 )
09-26-24 Section Eight
10-03-24 Section Nine
10-10-24 Section Ten
10-17-24 Section Eleven
10-24-24 Section Twelve
10-31-24 Section Thirteen
11-07-24 Section Fourteen
Counseling Supervision
50 hours of counseling supervision via Dr. Nicolas Ellen, will be provided for IABC students and for students in Phase 3 of ACBC certification. 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 hours of supervision.
To see if Dr. Ellen is available for counseling supervision, you may contact him via our Contact Us page.