Church of God in Christ in Partnership with the American Association of Christian Counselors
Choose a Church of God in Christ Scholarship to Get Enrolled
Exclusive Mental Health Coach Certification Training Programs
Mental Health Coach Certification Training Program
Youth Mental Health Coach Certification Training Program
Trauma-Informed Care and Coaching Certification Training Program
Certificado de capacitación en Coach de salud mental
Mental Health Coach Specializations
Mental Health Coach Marriage and Family Specialization
Learn More
This specialization in Marriage and Family helps leaders learn that life is all about relationships – but getting them right can be difficult. We are recruiting an army of influencers and leaders to create a culture of blessing in homes, churches and businesses around the world.
Dare to Care: Mental Health Ministry Coaching Specialization
Learn More
This specialization in Mental Health Ministry Coaching equips trained coaches, church leaders, and lay volunteers to build and lead a Christ-centered mental health ministry. You’ll learn how to compassionately support those facing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relational struggles—while developing a sustainable care model for your church or community. Includes 30 hours of step-by-step video training, ideal for anyone looking to launch or expand a care-focused ministry.
Certificate Training Programs
The Nathan Project: Integrity for Leadership and Ministry
The Nathan Project’s mission is to develop and maintain integrity in leadership and ministry. As exemplified by the story Nathan with David in the Bible, this course is designed to help train anyone in a leadership position to become aware of areas in their life that could allow for undue temptation and eventual abuse of leadership. The Nathan Project delves into the many signs and symptoms that those in leadership may exhibit when unseen negative behaviors come to the surface and ways for leaders, church leadership, and mental health professionals to come a long side the pastor or leader in order to help maintain personal and professional integrity in ministry.
Course Lessons
NP 101: Leadership and Integrity: Why It Matters — Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
In this lecture, Dr. Ron Hawkins will discuss how the loss of integrity in ministry leadership, and the personal and professional consequences for the leader and those around the leader.
NP 102: Out of the Shadows: It’s a Matter of Character — Jim Cress, M.A.
In this lecture, Jim Cress will explain the importance of openness and honesty within the private and public life of a leader. He will expound on the need for good accountability and honest reflection from those in charge.
NP 103: The Slippery Slope of Leadership: Abuse and How to Avoid It — Jeff Mattson, M.A. and Terra Mattson, M.A.
In this lecture, leadership coaches Jeff and Terra Mattson unpack the reality of how abuse of leadership unknowingly can creep into a leader’s life and what safeguards and practices leaders can develop to avoid it.
NP 104: Common Risk Factors in Leadership — Jeff Mattson, M.A. and Terra Mattson, M.A.
When a leader lives and leads with integrity, everyone in their wake serves to benefit. But, when a leader does not live or lead with integrity, everyone in their wake serves to suffer. In this lecture, leadership coaches Jeff and Terra Mattson will discuss 10 symptoms of common risk factors of leadership.
NP 105: Power and Control: Recipe for Disaster — Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
Current events in both the secular and professional worlds have exposed the problem of the
abuse of power and the deception that both accompanies it and keeps it hidden. It is critical for those in non-leadership roles and those who work with leaders to understand power and how it is abused, as well as both deception of self and of others. In this session, Dr. Diane Langberg will also consider the impact of these things on the Church and ways to both think about and respond to them.
NP 106: Power and Pulpit: Harmed by the Shepherd — Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.
In this lecture, Dr. Shannae Anderson will explain the real damage that a person in ministry leadership can cause when that position is abused. Dr. Anderson will explain how trauma can affect a person’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
NP 107: Power and Pulpit: The Road to Healing — Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.
In this lecture, Dr. Shannae Anderson will continue addressing abuse of leadership in a ministry setting and give practical tools for how those in ministry and in the counseling profession should interact with the someone who has been hurt by someone in ministry leadership and how to start them on a road to a mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
NP 108: The High Road: Earning and Maintaining the Right to Lead — Jay Strack, D.Min.
For more than four decades Dr. Jay Strack has shared his personal story of overcoming poverty, abuse, broken homes, and drug addiction. No stranger to personal adversity, Jay believes, “There is always a way,” and his life mission is to create and facilitate innovative faith-based solutions to bring about transformational leadership for this generation. In this lesson, Dr. Strack will summarize The Nathan Project and discuss earning the right to lead and maintaining the right to lead.
Youth HF3R: Hope-Focused Suicide Prevention Training Program
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 15-24. With mental health issues in youth on the rise, it is critical for anyone who interacts with children, teens, or young adults to be aware of the issues contributing to suicide risk. It is even more vital for parents, teachers, youth pastors, and leaders to know how to talk about suicide, take active steps to prevent suicide, and intervene effectively with young people who may be suicidal.
Course Lessons
YHF3R 101: Recognize — Jennifer Ellers, M.A.
It is critical to look at the data on suicide and factors impacting suicidal behavior in youth. This session provides an overview of demographics and warning signs for suicide in children,
adolescents, and young adults.
YHF3R 102: Respond — Jennifer Ellers, M.A.
This session covers five major issues that significantly increase the risk for suicidal ideation and attempts in youth. The problems of bullying, sexual violence, sexual identity issues, and along with mental health issues such as depression and addiction will be reviewed with response guidelines. It will also address media and social media issues impacting suicide in youth, along with guidelines for talking with youth about suicide.
YHF3R 103: Refer — Jennifer Ellers, M.A.
Every adult should understand and be able to assess and assist suicidal youth. This session reviews emergency protocols and outlines a continuum of care that can be accessed for hurting youth.