Get your Biblical Counseling for Crisis & Trauma Certificate Today!

Course Description

This course is designed to equip those who are working on the frontlines with people undergoing traumatic crises. Addressing relevant issues such as suicide, PTSD, death notification, and related topics, this course will teach caregivers how to effectively handle crisis situations from a biblical perspective.

Course Lessons and Descriptions

CRTC 201: Introduction to Crisis Counseling
Tim Clinton, Ed.D.; MG (Ret.) Bob Dees, M.S.; Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
This lesson provides basic definitions of terms that students will be discussing throughout the entire course, provides reference points and statistics regarding trauma, and gives an overview of healing points and how God is the ultimate antidote to trauma in a person’s life. Since the church is called to minister to those who are suffering, this program will help educate and train leaders to respond to others in crisis.

CRTC 202: Grief, Loss and Complicated Grief
Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Grief can only be experienced when there has been a loss of an intimate relationship or an object of concern or affection. People grieve because they love; and unfortunately, love and life can hurt. If people refuse to deal with grief and traumatic events, they will withdraw from life and only exist in emotional exile and never be able to benefit from the joys of human experience. Rarely are there easy answers when people experience tragic kinds of losses that are often untimely. However, there is a message of hope, and God can use people to convey that message to a world that is hurting.

CRTC 203: Trauma and Abuse
Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
Abuse has become more prominent in the United States, which indicates that the term “abuse” has been overused and misapplied at times. This undermines the reality and profound negative impact that abuse has on individuals and their relationships. Dr. Langberg will address sources of abuse, general responses to abuse, and normal trauma response patterns.

CRTC 204: Anxiety and Depression
Archibald Hart, Ph.D.
This lesson will focus on how Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder creates anxiety and depression. Dr. Hart will discuss definitions of terms, the prevalence of different types of trauma, risk signs, significant statistics, and prevention and intervention strategies that helpers can utilize. Students will learn the connection between PTSD and anxiety and depression problems, and they will become more educated on how those problems can be prevented and/or treated.

CRTC 205: Trauma and Attachment
Gary Sibcy, Ph.D.
In this lesson, Dr. Sibcy discusses the attachment theory and how it relates to trauma. Attachment is a theory of relationships and emotion, with safety being a key component in understanding problems. Dr. Sibcy will teach students how to apply the attachment theory to trauma situations, and students will learn to better understand the correlation between trauma and how people do relationships.

CRTC 206: Counseling Strategies
Eric Scalise, Ph.D.; Jennifer Cisney, M.A.; Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
This lesson, led by an expert panel, will expose students to counseling strategies regarding trauma survivors. Dr. Scalise, Dr. Ellers, and Jennifer Cisney will explain different models of counseling that can be used with trauma survivors, indications and contraindications related to caregiving, the importance of a multidisciplinary intervention approach, and the need for support systems. Finally, the panel will discuss the recovery process with a biblical model of healing and restoration.

CRTC 207: Impact Dynamics of Crisis and Trauma
Jennifer Cisney, M.A.
In this lesson, Jennifer Cisney will define psychological first aid in crisis intervention and discuss the impact of crisis and trauma on the individual in a broad context. Furthermore, students will become familiar with the various ways people battle symptoms. Students will learn the first steps regarding assessment tools and protocols in responding to someone in crisis and trauma situations.

CRTC 208: Methods and Techniques for Immediate Response
Thomas Webb, Th.M.
This lesson overviews the process of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) with a focus on spiritual crisis intervention. How does one bear another’s burden when the victim expresses deep spiritual distress in the form of questions such as “Why did God allow my child to die?” or “I feel like God has abandoned me!” Chaplain Thomas Webb will guide students through assessment criteria for crisis intervention, particularly that of a spiritual nature.

CRTC 209: Peer Support and Accountability
Joshua Straub, Ph.D.
This lesson discusses the importance of peer support and accountability regarding crisis intervention. Joshua Straub will address key principles regarding crisis intervention as it relates to having a strong support system in place for the individuals who experience crises in their lives. He will also give students cautions regarding peer support, so that they will know how to properly intervene in a crisis context.

CRTC 210: Survivor Guilt and Fostering Resiliency
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
Following traumatic events, survivors frequently struggle with a broad range of thoughts, feelings, and reactions as they try to put their lives back together in the post-trauma journey. Feelings of guilt are common during this road to recovery. Dr. Kevin Ellers will discuss the critical role that the church can play through this process in helping to help people grow through the adverse circumstances by enhancing resiliency in the pre and post-trauma journey.

CRTC 211: Managing the High Cost of Care
Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
In this lesson, Dr. Eric Scalise will discuss the importance of self-care and give resources and clear guidance regarding self-assessment. The world today is one full of stress and trauma, and those in the ministry or helping profession need to become educated on the topic of compassion fatigue. Dr. Scalise will discuss how caregivers can take care of themselves, develop a personal stress prevention care plan and survive counseling stress.

CRTC 212: Community Response and Cultural Differences
Leroy Scott, M.S., M.Div. and Pat Miersma, Ph.D.
Cultural competence is an important element of working with individuals that have experienced trauma or crisis situations. Community responses and cultural differences impact the effectiveness of service delivery. The presenters will address issues such as how to engage a client from a different culture, the importance of community and involvement in urban communities, and how to get through the red tape, politics, and protocol to provide the highest quality service possible. This lesson defines the basic components of cultural competence in treating victims of crisis and trauma.

Course Lessons and Descriptions

CRTC 301: Lost Grievers: Responding to People Facing Unrecognized Losses
Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Kevin Ellers, D. Min.
As a crisis responder, one must recognize that the emotional, spiritual, and psychological impacts of an incident are measured by how each individual is affected and specific losses they experience. Some of the most challenging losses are those that are not publically recognized or socially acknowledged as significant. This session will address how to identify these “unrecognized” losses and give practical recommendations for helping.

CRTC 302: The Role of the Chaplain
BG (Ret.) Charlie Baldwin, M.Div.; Chaplain Keith Ethridge, M.Div.; MG (Ret.) Bob Dees, M.S.
A panel of presenters describes the role of the chaplain. Soldiers often look to chaplains as trusted commanders, who can help spiritual wounds, as well as hidden wounds of war and other trauma. Students will gain a better understanding of what a chaplain’s job is, how they can influence soldiers, and learn some of the sensitive issues that chaplains deal with.

CRTC 303: The Role of the Family as a Platform for Spiritual Healing
Dennis Rainey, M.A.
The family is also part of the caregiving equation, and counselors need to understand their important role. In this lesson, Dennis Rainey will discuss God’s plan and tools for marriage, and will provide encouragement to people who have difficult situations within their family settings. He will also discuss how families can be victorious and overcome traumatic scenarios by the grace and power of God.

CRTC 304: The Role of the Church and the Parachurch
Neil Rhodes, B.A.; Bill Butler, Ph.D.; MG (Ret.) Bob Dees, M.S.
This lesson discusses the importance of the church being involved in the lives of trauma sufferers, as well as the necessity of teamwork and partnering with parachurch organizations. The presenters will discuss different programs, and how to team so that churches can have the best impact on the targeted population. Students will gain insight on the power of the local church to reach into the grassroots of America, partnering with the parachurch, in order to effectively help trauma sufferers.

CRTC 305: The Role of the Counselor and the Community
Linda Mintle, Ph.D.
Dr. Mintle gives students an overview of the mental health profession in order to help students learn when and how to give proper referrals. Identifying and connecting with these resources is crucial when working with victims of trauma. This lesson will also provide students with specific insights dealing with military families, and it will offer biblically based thoughts about how the role of the counselor and the community is consistent with faith, values, and the Christian worldview.

CRTC 306: Crisis Response in the Workplace
Craig Boden, M.Div., Ed.S.
This lesson will educate crisis responders on how to specifically service victims of a crisis that has taken place at work. Students will be taught how the phases of crisis response and how they can best minster to the needs of victims throughout these periods, as well as what to expect when addressing the victims.

CRTC 307: Crisis Response in High Schools and College
Joshua Straub, Ph.D.
This lesson begins by describing and defining what a crisis is, crisis preparedness and the proper approach a crisis response worker should take when responding to a crisis in either a high school or college setting. The lesson carefully outlines how a crisis team should function, how they should coordinate with other resources, and the different levels of response.

CRTC 308: Crisis Response to Crime and Acts of Violence
David Jenkins, Psy.D.
Unfortunately, crime and acts of violence are common occurrences in society. This course will educate students about crime statistics, types of crime, and the process undergone by a victim that has experienced a crime. Students will learn how to help victims cope and grow in the recovery process in addition to warning signs of poor recovery.

CRTC 309: Crisis Response to Accidents and the Aftermath
Joshua Straub, Ph.D. and Jennifer Cisney, M.A.
This lesson describes the seriousness of car accidents and the impact they can have upon a family. An interview with the Barrick family reveals how their lives were dramatically altered after a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Part of helping victims suffering the trauma of such an event is understanding the various aftereffects of the wreck.

CRTC 310: Crisis Response to Domestic Violence
Mark Crear, Ph.D. and Sabrina Black, M.A.
For many years there have been increasingly staggering statistics of victims of Domestic Violence, also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence. The two panelists will discuss how to be an effective “first responder” when encountering acts of Domestic Violence.

CRTC 311: Crisis Response to Rape and Sexual Assault
Trina Greer, Psy.D.
Immediate intervention is crucial after a person experiences the trauma of a sexual assault or rape. How can Crisis Responders best help a victim of sexual assault? What are the immediate needs of the person? What factors help a person recover? This session will help guide the Crisis Responder to effectively intervene and plan for successful ongoing recovery of the sexual assault victim.

CRTC 312: Trauma and Spirituality
Scott Floyd, Ph.D.
This course juxtaposes trauma with spirituality, offering biblical insight to counselors who may help those suffering from a traumatic event. A definition for trauma, as well as various types and examples, are given; biblical examples and advice follow in the second portion of the lesson. The counselor is given practical advice for guiding a victim through the healing process with spiritual aid.

Course Lessons and Descriptions

CRTC 401: Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
Michael Lyles, M.D.
In this lesson, students will become familiar with a general overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dr. Michael Lyles will discuss the signs and symptoms of PTSD, the nature of trauma, and the diagnostic criteria regarding PTSD. Students will also gain an understanding of the challenges that helpers and counselors can face in trauma sufferers.

CRTC 402: Risk Factors for PTSD
Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Chris Adsit, B.A.
There are many different kinds of trauma on the combat trauma spectrum that people can experience, and some can even be more predisposed than others for PTSD if they have certain risk factors. Jennifer Cisney will discuss what groups and individuals are more at risk for developing PTSD, what increases the risks, and what can be done on a preventative level for people who do fall into the high-risk categories.

CRTC 403: Trauma and Addiction
Mark Laaser, Ph.D.
In this lesson, Dr. Mark Laaser will discuss the role of addiction in regards to trauma. Students will learn about self-medicating tendencies and behaviors that people use to escape and numb the pain, the addictive cycle, factors related to tolerance, stages of addiction, and spiritual strongholds and bondage. After addressing the neurochemistry of addictions, Dr. Laaser will offer treatment approaches to ministering to people battling with addiction.

CRTC 404: Suicide Assessment and Prevention
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
This lesson discusses the important topic of suicide assessment and prevention. Dr. Kevin Ellers addresses the issues of suicide being a by-product of traumatic events, risk factors related to suicide attempts, precipitating factors that would influence a person attempting suicide, warning signs, and effective intervention techniques. Students will begin to understand the dynamics of suicide and what caregivers can do to help.

CRTC 405: Treatment Protocols
David Jenkins, Psy.D. and Michael Lyles, M.D.
This lesson will expose students to the wide range of treatment options in terms of theory and practice, including cognitive behavioral approaches to treatment, exposure theories, systematic desensitization methods, EMDR, medical protocol, and other related factors. Students will be exposed to a broad stroke at everything that needs to be considered when treating a person dealing with the difficult effects of PTSD as a process in helping someone move from absolute brokenness to abundant freedom.

CRTC 406: The Journey from Trauma to Transformation
Gary Beikirch, Ph.D. and Loreen Beikirch
In this lesson, students will be exposed to the story of Sergeant Gary Beikirch, a man who received the Medal of Honor for his service in Vietnam. Gary Beikirch, along with his wife Lolly, shares his experiences of healing and restoration from combat related PTSD, providing background information, as well as the reasons regarding why counseling is important to anyone suffering from trauma related PTSD.

CRTC 407: War, Deadly Force and the Bible
Todd Wagner, M.A.
War is a difficult topic to discuss, but people in all professions need to reconcile the requirements of their profession with the requirements of faith and biblical truth. This lesson addresses what God thinks about the military profession by discussing biblical references and moral dilemmas that soldiers often face. Todd Wagner will help students discover a biblical worldview that is consistent with the Scriptures regarding deadly force as it pertains to war.

CRTC 408: The Realities of Military Service on the Service Member
Don Snider, Ph.D. and LTG Robert Van Antwerp
Counselors and caregivers need to be exposed to the reality of military service and its impact on the service member. Each person is unique and possesses different dynamics that will influence their reactions to events. This lesson will teach students about demographics, reasons people enlist in the service, the issues regarding family members, deployment and redeployment, wounds of war, and how to deal with the death or loss of a service member. Overall, this lesson will help counselors be more effective by helping them understand these crucial factors.

CRTC 409: The Realities of Military Life for Families
LTG Robert Van Antwerp; Paula Van Antwerp; Rosemarie Hughes, Ph.D.
In this lesson, students will gain a unique perspective from a panel discussing family life on the home front. There are unique challenges that military families will face, such as secondary trauma within the family, challenges of separation, the overall lifestyle and culture of the military, difficulties of deployment, homecoming realities, and the possibility of having a wounded soldier return home. This lesson will open students’ eyes to the struggles that various military families can face and provide practical ways to provide encouragement for them.

CRTC 410: The Combat Trauma Spectrum
Christ Adsit, B.A. and Rahnella Adsit
The combat trauma spectrum does an excellent job of showing a point of pain and matching it up with the right intervention. During this lesson, students will learn from Chris and Rahnella Adsit as they give students the big picture regarding what combat trauma is and how it impacts the lives of many individuals. Understanding the combat trauma spectrum is the first step in treating the trauma, and students will become more knowledgeable in this area by the end of this lesson.

CRTC 411: The Military Medical System, Veterans Medical System and Related Issues
Leigh Bishop, M.D., M.A. and MG (Ret.) Ken Farmer, M.D.
This lesson will help students understand the Veteran’s Affairs medical systems so that counselors can team with them as they partner with military veterans. The presenters will discuss the ecosystem for military, especially for the wounded warrior, and how important it is to provide care and compassion for families of soldiers as well as the soldiers. Students will learn about the hidden wounds of war, and how to take a holistic approach regarding treatment and help for soldiers.

CRTC 412: Assessment and Treatment Protocols
Leigh Bishop, M.D., M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
This lesson addresses assessment and treatment protocols in the military. Counselors can be challenged by troops coming back from war, because often the last thing on their minds is a mental health assessment. Students will learn the importance of teaming, partnership, and community. They will learn to view these issues through a wide lens, looking at the broad applicability of the treatment methodologies for the military in other practices that may not always relate to the military.

Course Lessons and Descriptions

CRCT 501: International Helping: Ethics and Cultural Sensitivity
Joshua Straub, Ph.D.; Phil Monroe, Psy.D.
Crisis responders must recognize the need for sensitivity when working with victims of another culture. In this lesson, participants will learn how to avoid common mistakes that could offend those already victimized. Additionally, participants will learn practical steps to becoming an efficient helper, as well as tips for developing positive relationships with a new culture. These concepts are keys to becoming an effective responder in another culture.

CRCT 502: Complicated Issues when Dealing with Complex Trauma: The Role of Crisis Responders
Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Complex trauma is particularly distressing to victims because of the personal nature of the event or experience. Crisis responders should be aware of this and should recognize why a trauma classifies as complex. In this lesson, students will learn the unique aspects of a complex trauma and appropriate response. Examples of complex trauma will further encourage familiarity with the types of complex trauma.

CRCT 503: International Issues: Genocide and Related Trauma
Celestin Musekara, Ph.D.
International issues can be some of the most devastating forms of trauma humanly, politically, and spiritually speaking. By nature, genocide affects large numbers of people, and crisis responders must understand its numerous and shocking consequences. This lesson educates students about the unique nature of genocide and its ramifications for victims.

CRCT 504: Inner City and Gang Violence
Mark Crear, Ph.D.; Owen Cardwell, D.Min.
Gang violence is a prevalent problem in society today. Society must overcome gang stereotypes and learn to view gang members as humans with real problems. Crisis responders can lead the way in responding to gang violence. This lesson will help responders to understand gangs and gives instruction on how to become a positive influence in ending gang violence.

CRCT 505: Acts of Violence Against the Church and Parachurch
Scott Floyd, Ph.D.
This lesson educates students about how an act of violence directed toward churches or parachurches will impact those organizations. The response to the violence affects everybody involved, and churches need to know how to handle the crisis. The lecture talks about churches can do in preparation for and after the commission of a violent act.

CRCT 506: Injury and Loss of Children
Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Death and injury touch every culture, people, and belief. Children are no exception. This lesson gives educates students about statistics concerning the injury and loss of children. It then proceeds to guidelines for crisis responders helping parents cope with the injury or loss. The final section gives practical guidelines and mistakes responders should avoid.

CRCT 507: A Victim’s Experience of Trauma and Appropriate Interventions
Linda Schupp, Ph.D.
The experience of trauma produces wounding on many levels. Trauma victims are physiologically, emotionally, cognitively, behaviorally and sometimes spiritually depleted. This course looks at these alterations that occur as well as the some disorders it produces. Several interventions will also be provided.

CRCT 508: The Impact of Disasters on Individuals, Families and Communities
George Everly, Ph.D.
Disasters range in severity, and their impact upon individuals, families, and communities vary as well. Responders must be prepared to enter varying levels of crises. This course discusses types of crisis incidents and how to interpret psychological distress, as well as specific symptoms of impact and a guide to stages victims will encounter throughout the experience.

CRCT 509: Stages of Response to Disaster
Jennifer Cisney, M.A.; Michele Louviere, M. Div.
This course addresses the stages of disaster response and the stages that disasters survivors experience in order to give responders a better understanding and the full scope and impact of disasters or both survivors and response teams.

CRCT 510: The Nature of Disaster Deployment: Team Coordination and Care
Jennifer Cisney, M.A.; David Jenkins, Psy.D.
For those in positions of leadership in disaster response, it is critical to understand core principles for selecting your emotional and spiritual care teams. It is also critical to have policies and procedures in place to take care of your team members on site and insure that they have proper debriefing before returning home.

CRCT 511: Assessment and Intervention in Disasters
George Everly, Ph.D.
Disasters typically come unexpectedly and with great speed. Crisis responders might easily be overwhelmed by the chaos that ensues and the number of victims encountered. Learning how to access quickly situations and victims is key to effectively helping those in need. In this lesson, students will learn how to access disaster victims and offer psychological first aid.

CRCT 512: Faith and Spiritual Care for Disaster Victims
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
Drawing on one’s faith and a supportive community of believers can have a positive powerful and healing impact on disaster survivors. Understanding the impacts of incidents and how to help survivors through the aftermath is critical. A failure to understand the dynamics of appropriate spiritual care in a shared setting is essential.

CRCT 113: The Role of Evangelism in Disaster Response
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
Most people who provide emotional and spiritual care in times of disaster, trauma, and loss do so out of their love for God and people. For many people their faith is an essential part of their life and desire to share their faith with others so they can draw on this incredible resource. Sharing one’s faith in the right way and time is essential and a failure to do this sensitively and appropriately can cause secondary wounding and cause spiritual harm.

CRCT 114: The Incident Command System: Ethics and Protocol for Disaster Response
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
The Incident Command System (ICS) is the standardized incident management tool used by government and non-governmental organizations to manage an incident. These principles have direct application to crisis response teams and an understanding of key ICS principles is essential for an effective response and working with other response organizations.

CRCT 115: Long-term Disaster Recovery: Supporting Communities for Healing
Craig Boden, M.Div., Ed.S.; David Jenkins, Psy.D.; Michele Louviere, M.Div.
Disasters extend beyond the day in which they occur. Trauma is a long process and can take a long time to appear. Victims heal at different rates. This lesson outlines the role the community plays in the recovery process, especially the church. Additionally, students will learn about the special challenges and rewards of handling a community-wide disaster.

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.