Six Core Courses: Description & Outcomes
(Scroll down to read about all the core courses)
CCC-1120 The Biblical Basis of Christian Counselling
Module Description:
This module will explore the concepts of lay and pastoral counselling, explain why there is a need for such counselling, and provide a practical introduction to the foundations of a biblical approach. Topics covered will include the concept of Christian counselling, the call to the counselling ministry, an overview of the major counselling theories, implicit and explicit integration, and models of Christian counselling (including the Paraklesis model). This module will lay the basis for an integrative approach to Christian counselling for pastors and lay counsellors.
Module Outcomes - On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Explain the need for lay and pastoral counselling
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of Christian counselling and its Biblical basis
- Justify lay and pastoral counselling as a legitimate Christian ministry
- Describe the call to the ministry in general, and lay and pastoral counselling as a specific ministry
- Explain the concept “paraklesis” as the proprium of Christian counselling
- Discern and describe the different theoretical (Christian and secular) approaches to counselling
- Describe and use the Paraklesis Model of Counselling as the foundational approach in this certificate program
- Compare the Paraklesis Model with the models of Tan & Scalise, Meier et al, and Collins’s as Christ centred, biblically based, and psychologically sound approaches for effective lay counselling
- Define Christian counselling and describe the unique characteristics (principles) of Christian counselling
- Integrate theology and psychology and formulate a dynamic model of integration for Christian counselling
- Lay the foundation of an integrative bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to counselling.
Take Note:
- CCC-1120 is presented every term (see timetable)
- This Foundational Course is a prerequisite for all the certificate counselling training courses
- It is a prerequisite course for all the other course (this is the first course you must take)
- Human Development and Ethics can be taken concurrently, but you have to pass this course to proceed
- You will not be able to complete the Biblical Basis Course if you do not have the textbooks
- You have to keep up with the coursework for each unit (released biweekly) to complete the course
CCC-1121 Human Development and Christian Counselling
Module Description:
The Human Development and Christian Counselling Module is designed to help the caregiver (pastor, lay counsellor) understand the biophysical, intellectual, social, psychological, and spiritual changes that people undergo throughout their life span: from conception until death. It will practically guide the student through all the phases of development and equip lay and pastoral care-givers with the necessary skills to use human-development-theory as an explanatory model in coming alongside people.
Module Outcomes - On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of human development and life-span issues in Christian counselling
- Differentiate between the types of life events
- Define developmental psychology
- Demonstrate an understanding of the neuropsychological basis of mental disorders
- Relate the basic developmental theories to Christian ministry and counselling
- Apply developmental models in assessing care-giving needs
- CCCP-1121 is presented in term-1 and term-3 (view timetable)
- This Course can be taken concurrently with Biblical Basis (CCC-1120), but you have to pass Biblical Basis to get credit
CCC-2120 Excellence in Christian Counselling - Ethical and Legal Issues
Module Description
An introduction to Christian Ethics with special application for the Christian Counselling student. Although directed at lay and pastoral counsellors, the course includes an introductory analysis of professional ethics, training and practice standards, educational requirements, and mental health law. Attention will be given to contemporary professional and psycho-social issues that effect the training and practice of Christian counsellors. The ethical/legal status and practice of the Christian counsellor will be explored and analytically appraised from an integrated Theology-Psychology perspective, pursuing excellence in ethics.
Module Outcomes - On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of Christian Ethics with special application for pastoral and counselling ministry.
- Express insight into the theory, theology and praxis of ethical and legal issues for pastors and lay counsellors
- Engage theologically with moral inquiry, considering the role and methods of Christian ethics as it pertains to counselling and care-giving in Christian ministry
- Display the critical skills for evaluating ethical issues in counselling from a Biblically based perspective
- Apply the essential elements of ethical and legal practice as it pertains to competence, accountability, confidentiality, dual or multiple relationships, record keeping, referrals, etc
- Locate and apply applicable Ethical Codes to practical problematic situations in counselling and care-giving ministry
- CCC-2120 is presented in Term-2 and Term-4 (view Timetable)
- This Course can be taken concurrently with Biblical Basis (CCC-1120), but you have to pass Biblical Basis to get credit
- This course is a prerequisite for the Counselling Skills Practicum (CCC1122) - plan to take it as one of your first courses
CCC-1122 Counselling Skills (Practicum-1)
Module Description
The Counselling Skills Modules (I & II) are designed to help the caregiver/counsellor understand the basic therapeutic process and how change occurs. It will practically guide the student through all the phases of care giving and equip them with the necessary counselling micro and therapeutic skills for pastoral and lay-counselling. In this module (PCCP-0004) the course will emphasise basic theoretical assumptions and the helping relationship. The relationship between the caregiver/counsellor and the counsellee is seen as the foundation of therapeutic change. Attention will be given to the basic communication skills needed in establishing an effective helping relationship that would facilitate the client’s personal and spiritual growth and development, change or progress towards wholeness in Christ.
Module Outcomes - On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Integrate counselling micro-skills into Christian counselling/care-giving, displaying the understanding that counselling skills can be in service of, and dependent on the work of the Holy Spirit
- Demonstrate the importance of communication as a listening skill and accurately interpret verbal and nonverbal communication
- Differentiate between the skills, tools and models of counselling theory and praxis
- Demonstrate acceptable levels of competency in using micro-counselling-skills in simulated counselling sessions (role plays and triads)
- Establish and practice helping relationships by the application of the theory and micro-skills of counselling
- Explore the intra- and inter-relational dynamics of interpersonal, cognitive and affective domains in counselling
- Display sensitivity to, and an appreciation, affirmation, and respect for oneself and counsellees, as culturally diverse beings
- Develop a core level of proficiency, enabling the beginning counsellor/care-giver to establish a helping-relationship with prospective counsellees
- Participate in peer and instructor feedback, beginning supervision, and personal counselling
Please Take Note
- This Practicum is only presented in Term-2 and Term-3 of each year! (view Timetable)
- The course requires practical work done in Triad-meetings with two study-buddies
- The practicum requires life-role-plays (audio and video taped for review - assignments in mp3 audio format)
- Prerequisites: PCCP-001 (Biblical Basis) and PCCP-003 (Ethical and Legal Issues)
CCC-2121 Psychopathology and Spiritual Conflicts
Module Description:
The Psychopathology and Spiritual Conflicts Module is designed to provide the caregiver (pastor, lay-counsellor) with a bio-psycho-social-spiritual understanding of abnormal behaviour. It will introduce the student to the theory and theology of spiritual conflict and the related concepts, and provide an understanding of the different psychological/mental disorders. Lay and pastoral care-givers will be equipped with the necessary skills to differentiate, make provisional assessments, and make appropriate referrals. They will be able to come alongside people with mental disorders and/or spiritual conflict with supportive caregiving, and will be able to counsel within the boundaries of their training.
Module Outcomes
- On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Describe and compare the theory and theology of spiritual conflicts and the related concepts (spiritual warfare, exorcisms, deliverance ministry, the breaking down of strongholds, blood curses, generational bondages, and spiritual healings)
- Deduce a pneumatological understanding of these spiritual conflicts that is biblically based, Christ centred and psychologically sound
- Differentiate between psychopathology and demonization
- Demonstrate an understanding of what causes psychopathology (etiology)
- Recognise psychopathology and demonstrate knowledge of when to refer to medical and/or mental health professionals, and/or pastoral therapists
- Recognise, distinguish and demonstrate an understanding of the different psychological disorders
- Counsel people with anxiety, depression, anger and guilt from a lay-counselling and pastoral care perspective
- Minister to people with psychological, emotional, personal and interpersonal problems
Please Take Note
- This course (CCC2121) is only presented in Term-1 and Term-3 (view Timetable)
- This is NOT "deliverance training" - the focus is on Holy Spirit empowered counselling best practices
CCC-2122 Relationships, Marriage and Family Counselling
Module Description:
The Relationships – Marriage and Family Counselling Module, is designed to provide the caregiver (pastor, lay-counsellor) with a bio-psycho-social-spiritual understanding of singleness, dating and the choosing of a marriage partner, the marital relationships, family relationships, and relationship breakdown. It will introduce the student to the theory and theology of couples, marriage and family counselling, and provide an understanding of pre-marital, couples, marriage, family, and divorce counselling from a lay and pastoral perspective. Lay and pastoral care-givers will be equipped with the necessary skills to make an assessment of the marital relationship, assist couples with their marital relationship, understand the causes of divorce and remarriage, understand family issues; assist dysfunctional families, and understand sexuality in relationships. Although not trained as Marriage and Family Therapists, Lay and Pastoral Counsellors will be able to come alongside people with relationship issues with supportive caregiving, and will be able to counsel within the boundaries of their training.
Module Outcomes - On completion of this module you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of issues involved in singleness and choosing a marriage partner
- Demonstrate an understanding of marital relationships and marital problems from a Christian counselling perspective
- Make an accurate assessment of the marital relationship
- Demonstrate an understanding of sexuality
- Assist couples with their marital relationship
- Demonstrate an understanding of the causes of divorce and remarriage
Please Take Note
- This course (CCC-2122) is only presented in Term-2 and Term-4 (view Timetable).
- The course requires the practical assessment of your own marriage/relationship or that of a volunteer couple.
