Get your Biblical Counseling for Marriage & Family Certificate Today!

Course Description

This course addresses the contemporary issues most common to both raising and counseling children and adolescents and provides appropriate treatment strategies for effective familial change. Developmental stages, learning styles, personality factors and social influences are examined, as well as the efficacy of community counseling resources and programs.

Module 1:
MFRL 201-101: Welcome and Course Introduction
MFRL 201-102: Helping Others Find Significance in Life
MFRL 201-103: Starving for Relationships: Attachment Wounds and Love Hunger
MFRL 201-104: Finding Strength through Adversity
MFRL 201-105: Talking About Self-Esteem
Module 2:
MFRL 201-201: Teaching Girls to be Ladies
MFRL 201-202: Bringing Up Girls: Puberty to Adolescence I
MFRL 201-203: Bringing Up Girls: Puberty to Adolescence II
MFRL 201-204: She Calls Me Daddy I
MFRL 201-205: She Calls Me Daddy II
MFRL 201-206: Reserve Forces and Kids
MFRL 201-207: No Place to Hide
Module 3:
MFRL 201-301: Asperger’s, ADHD, ASD, ODD: Working with Families of Special Needs Children
MFRL 201-302: Walking the Thin Line: Health, Diets and Eating Disorders
MFRL 201-303: Teenage Attitudes
MFRL 201-304: Coping with Anxiety
Module 4:
MFRL 201-401: Raising Boys: Routine Panic I
MFRL 201-402: Raising Boys: Routine Panic II
MFRL 201-403: Family Manipulation
MFRL 201-404: Teens: Choose Battles Carefully
Module 5:
MFRL 201-501: Bringing Up Boys – Session 1
MFRL 201-502: Adolescent Identity Development and Self-Esteem
MFRL 201-503: Moms and Sons
MFRL 201-504: Bringing Up Boys
Module 6:
MFRL 201-601: Complex Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Explosive Children I
MFRL 201-602: Complex Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Explosive Children II
MFRL 201-603: Wounded Spirits
MFRL 201-604: Rough Water
Module 7:
MFRL 201-701: The Epidemic of Child Abuse
MFRL 201-702: Examining Addictive Behaviors I
MFRL 201-703: Examining Addictive Behaviors II
MFRL 201-704: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
MFRL 201-705: Hallway of Doors
Module 8:
MFRL 201-801: Connecting with Kids through the World of Play
MFRL 201-802: Teach Kids to Write
MFRL 201-803: Teach Kids to Work

Course Description

This course equips students with the counseling knowledge and tools for helping parents raise emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially healthy children. Proactive and effective child discipline strategies are examined from a developmental perspective and incorporate current research.
Module 1:
MFRL 203-101: Welcome and Course Introduction
MFRL 203-102: Emotion Coaching Your Kids: A New Parenting Technique
MFRL 203-103: Connecting with Today’s Teens: How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen and How to Listen so Your Kids Will Talk
MFRL 203-104: Safe Harbor for Children
MFRL 203-105: Screaming at Trees and Children
Module 2:
MFRL 203-201: Childhood Development: An Attachment Perspective
MFRL 203-202: God Attachment: Building Spiritual Maturity in Today’s Teens
MFRL 203-203: How Tough it is to Be a Parent
MFRL 203-204: A Father’s PR Agent
Module 3:
MFRL 203-301: Teaching Biblical Values to a New Generation
MFRL 203-302: Effective Discipline Strategies
MFRL 203-303: Discipline is Like a Battery
MFRL 203-304: Discipline is Like a Stone Carving
Module 4:
MFRL 203-401: Parents Prepare for Adolescence
MFRL 203-402: Building Moral Character in Your Children
MFRL 203-403: Finding Balance Between Love and Control
MFRL 203-404: Parental Burnout
Module 5:
MFRL 203-501: Parenting from Your Strengths
MFRL 203-502: Parenting the Strong-willed Child
MFRL 203-503: Six Principles of Good Discipline (Video)
MFRL 203-504: Challenge the Chief
Module 6:
MFRL 203-601: Raising Boys By Design
MFRL 203-602: The Vital Role of Fathering I
MFRL 203-603: The Vital Role of Fathering II
MFRL 203-604: Parents and Guilt
MFRL 203-604: Pressures of Moms of Preschoolers
Module 7:
MFRL 203-701: Strong Fathers: Strong Daughters I
MFRL 203-702: Strong Mothers: Strong Daughters II
MFRL 203-703: Helping a Single Mom
MFRL 203-704: Spending on Children—Saying No
Module 8:
MFRL 203-801: Finding True Forgiveness I
MFRL 203-802: Finding True Forgiveness II
MFRL 203-803: Learning from Our Children
MFRL 203-804: Power Transfer

Course Description

This course provides a biblical overview of marriage and family systems, specifically looking at the foundations, models, and techniques necessary for effective counseling with couples and families. Current trends, contemporary issues and growing threats to the faith-based family are all examined in greater detail.

Module 1:
MFRL 205-101: Welcome and Course Introduction
MFRL 205-102: Building A Family Legacy: Your Legacy
MFRL 205-103: Foundational Concepts of Marital and Family Therapy
MFRL 205-104: The Foundation of Society
MFRL 205-105: While They’re Young
Module 2:
MFRL 205-201: Building A Family Legacy #2: Wanting To Believe
MFRL 205-202: Family Development and Conceptualization of Family Functioning
MFRL 205-203: Keys to a Healthy Marriage
MFRL 205-204: Terrible Twos
Module 3:
MFRL 205-301: Building A Family Legacy #3: Bringing Up Boys
MFRL 205-302: Parenting Newborns and Those Early Years I
MFRL 205-303: Parenting Newborns and Those Early Years II
MFRL 205-304: Communication in the Family
MFRL 205-305: Time with Children
Module 4:
MFRL 205-401: Building A Family Legacy #4: Bringing up Girls
MFRL 205-402: Parenting 101: From Discipline to Sexuality I
MFRL 205-403: Parenting 101: From Discipline to Sexuality II
MFRL 205-404: Be There Dad
MFRL 205-405: How Dads Shape Kids
Module 5:
MFRL 205-501: Building A Family Legacy #5: The Strong Willed Child
MFRL 205-502: Being there For Your Son I
MFRL 205-503: Being There for Your Son II
MFRL 205-504: Stress and the Human Body
MFRL 205-505: Actions Lead to Consequences
Module 6:
MFRL 205-601: Building A Family Legacy #7: Straight Talk to Men
MFRL 205-602: The Silent Struggle of Infertility and Miscarriage
MFRL 205-603: Beating the Baby Blues
MFRL 205-604: How to Tell Your Kids about Adoption
MFRL 205-605: Keeping Grandparents Close
Module 7:
MFRL 205-701: Building A Family Legacy #7: Dare to Discipline
MFRL 205-702: Making Marriage Last
MFRL 205-703: Single Parent Blues
MFRL 205-704: The Broken Family Epidemic
Module 8:
MFRL 205-801: Building A Family Legacy #8: Love for a Lifetime
MFRL 205-802: The Seven Habits of a Healthy Marriage
MFRL 205-803: Growing Up with Values

Course Description

This course equips students with a biblical overview of relationships, romance and marriage, as well as providing the necessary counseling knowledge to assist couples in cultivating successful and full relationships. Current trends and issues in marriage are discussed while presenting effective, theoretical tools that all marriages to outlast the test of time.

Module 1:

• MFRL 207-101: Welcome and Course Introduction
• MFRL 207-102: Falling in Love
• MFRL 207-103: The First Years of Marriage I
• MFRL 207-104: The First Years of Marriage II
• MFRL 207-105: Love is Like a Rose
• MFRL 207-106: Dating Your Mate

Module 2:

• MFRL 207-201: Creating A Safe Haven Marriage: Building Emotional Closeness and Safety
• MFRL 207-202: Building a Safe Haven in Marriage I
• MFRL 207-203: Building a Safe Haven in Marriage II
• MFRL 207-204: To Build a Fire
• MFRL 207-205: Anticipating Problems in Marriage

Module 3:

• MFRL 207-301: How Couples Lose at Love: Battling Disaffection in Marriage
• MFRL 207-302: Creating a Win-Win Marriage: Communication, Conflicts and Decisions
• MFRL 207-303: The Comparison Trap
• MFRL 207-304: Fatigue and Time Pressures

Module 4:

• MFRL 207-401: Love Languages
• MFRL 207-402: The Challenge of Communication
• MFRL 207-403: Loving Toughness
• MFRL 207-404: Divorce Equals Disease

Module 5:

• MFRL 207-501: Women and Sex: Freeing Women to Embrace Sexuality
• MFRL 207-502: Sexuality and the Search for Intimacy
• MFRL 207-503: Regenerate Romantic Feelings
• MFRL 207-504: More Sparks in Marriage

Module 6:

• MFRL 207-601: Hope Focused Marriage Counseling
• MFRL 207-602: The Languages of Apology: Regret, Responsibility, Restitution, Repentance & Requesting
• MFRL 207-603: High Voltage Marriage
• MFRL 207-604: Crossing the Barbed Wire Fence

Module 7:

• MFRL 207-701: The Woman’s Role in Marriage
• MFRL 207-702: Going All Out for Your Wife I
• MFRL 207-703: Going All Out for Your Wife II
• MFRL 207-704: Learning to Fight Fair
• MFRL 207-705: Mystique in Marriage

Module 8:

• MFRL 207-801: The Necessary Nine: Staying Happily Married for a Lifetime
• MFRL 207-802: Marriage: Keeping Love Alive
• MFRL 207-803: Forgiveness
• MFRL 207-804: Dream Big Dreams

Course Description

This course addresses the biological and physiological implications of healthy, biblical sexuality, while additionally addressing contemporary issues, such as pregnancy, sexual difficulties, and abortion. Students are provided helpful tools to instruct today’s parents on discussing sexuality with their children from a developmental perspective. Presenters offer biblical insights and clinical advice on sexual issues, pregnancy, and dealing with issues of miscarriage and infertility.

Module 1:
MFRL 209-101: Welcome and Introduction
MFRL 209-102: Sexuality: A Biblical Perspective
MFRL 209-103: Redeeming Sexuality: Recovering God’s Plan for Our Lives
MFRL 209-104: Molder of Romantic Dreams
MFRL 209-105: A Father’s PR Agent
Module 2:
MFRL 209-201: Teaching Our Kids about Sex
MFRL 209-202: Teaching Kids about Sex I
MFRL 209-203: Teaching Kids about Sex II
MFRL 209-204: Dates with Dad
MFRL 209-205: The Hurried Child
Module 3:
MFRL 209-301: Girls: The Fair Sex I
MFRL 209-302: Girls: The Fair Sex II
MFRL 209-303: God’s Great Idea: Toward a Theology of Sexuality
MFRL 209-304: Making Course Corrections
MFRL 209-305: Teenage Attitudes
Module 4:
MFRL 209-401: Pregnancy Issues: Contraception, Complications and Concerns
MFRL 209-402: The Miracle of Life: Fetal Development
MFRL 209-403: Protecting Your Child’s Sexuality
MFRL 209-404: Dealing with a Pregnant Daughter
MFRL 209-405: The Myth of Fame and Fortune
Module 5:
MFRL 209-501: Teens and Sex: Taming the Drive
MFRL 209-502: The Dangers of Hooking Up I
MFRL 209-503: The Dangers of Hooking Up II
MFRL 209-504: Teens: Choose Battles Carefully
MFRL 209-505: Ride Down the Rogue
Module 6:
MFRL 209-601: Protecting Your Children in a Dark Culture I
MFRL 209-602: Protecting Your Children in a Dark Culture II
MFRL 209-603: Girls Uncovered I
MFRL 209-603: Girls Uncovered II
MFRL 209-605: Girls Uncovered III
MFRL 209-606: Attack on Authority
MFRL 209-607: Bonding in Marriage
Module 7:
MFRL 209-701: Abortion and the Law: Ethics, Liability, Client Rights and Current Statistics
MFRL 209-702: Defunding Planned Parenthood I
MFRL 209-703: Defunding Planned Parenthood II
MFRL 209-704: The Comparison Trap
MFRL 209-705: Freedom and Respect
Module 8:
MFRL 209-801: The Seven Desires: The Roots of Healthy Relationships
MFRL 209-802: Why Purity Matters I
MFRL 209-803: Why Purity Matters II
MFRL 209-804: Parents Offering Every Advantage
MFRL 209-805: When a Friend’s Marriage Breaks Up

Because there is no legal requirement that mandates Biblical counselors must be licensed or undergo formal training, becoming a Biblical counselor can be straightforward. If you want to become a biblical counselor, you can declare yourself one – though we advise against this.  

If you “become a biblical counselor” without studying the Bible, learning basic lay counseling skills, and doing your due diligence, you may find yourself unprepared. Worse yet, you misidentify what the person you’re helping needs – and you may fail to provide optimal care. Fortunately, becoming a certified biblical counselor is simple and affordable at Light University. With a 100% online format and a time-tested program of study, you’ll emerge from our program more prepared to help struggling people.

Answers to this question may vary, but the short answer is this: nouthetic counseling is enveloped by the larger umbrella of biblical counseling. Nouthetic counseling relies on the sufficiency and supreme authority of scripture alone to provide solutions to man’s problems (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Like nouthetic counseling, Christian counseling uses scripture–but unlike nouthetic counseling, Christian counseling draws on principles of observational psychology to identify sin patterns. Great care must be taken when using psychology, however. Psychology is inherently man-centered, and for counseling to be biblical, it must be God-centered and focused on conforming the client to the image of Christ.

Yes. The academic requirements of our certificate program are built into the diploma program, and the academic requirements of the diploma program are integrated into the master diploma. 

The coursework of the biblical counseling certificate program is enveloped by the diploma curriculum, and the diploma’s curriculum is enveloped by the master diploma curriculum. 

Upon completion of a program, you’ll have the option to order a printed certificate. When you’ve finished your program of study, contact us. Upon verifying your completion of program requirements, you will be issued a digital diploma!

There are several lists of biblical counseling electives. The detailed list you’re looking for depends on which program you’re enrolled in.  

Our Biblical Counseling Certificate program does not require any electives. Our Biblical Counseling Diploma, however, requires two electives. The first elective you take in our diploma program must be one of the following courses: 

• Extraordinary Women 
• Caring for Kids God’s Way 
• Caring for Teens God’s Way 

For the second course you take in our diploma-level biblical counseling program, you will choose from the following list:  

• Extraordinary Women 
• Caring for Kids God’s Way 
• Caring for Teens God’s Way 
• Healthy Sexuality 
• Marriage Works 

It’s worth noting that you cannot complete the same course twice and receive dual credit. For example, you cannot take “Caring for Kids God’s Way” or “Caring for Teens God’s Way” once to satisfy both elective requirements – nor can you take the class twice.  

At the master diploma level, you will take three elective classes. You may choose three courses from the following list: 

• Extraordinary Women 
• Caring for Kids God’s Way 
• Caring for Teens God’s Way 
• Healthy Sexuality 
• Marriage Works 

For more information, please see our certificate, diploma, and master diploma pages.

Our online biblical counseling program is a great way to prepare for ministry work and lay counseling. The emotional intelligence skills you glean from our online biblical counseling certificate can also help make you a better parent, son or daughter, friend, mentor, or confidant.  

Our biblical counseling certificate is a non-licensure program. It is not designed to equip you for clinical counseling settings.

There is a clear distinction between professional mental health services and life coaching. Licensed mental health professionals diagnose and treat emotional and behavioral health disorders. Life coaches help clients focuses on setting and achieving goals. Many ask what the difference is between counseling and coaching.

There is a clear distinction between professional mental health services and life coaching. While both life coaches and mental health professionals seek to improve client wellness, educational and licensure requirements set the two apart. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental-health-related disorders, but mental health professionals often do. While therapy focuses on mental health, abetting distress, and improving impaired functioning; life coaching focuses on setting and achieving goals.