Biblical Counseling - Intensive
Victory Outreach Education and Training Institute
Winter Quarter One-Day Intensive – April 15, 2014
Victory Outreach Whittier
Instructor: Vivian Villalobos, MSMFTi
Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary,
Graduate School of Psychology 2013
MAICS, Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Intercultural
Studies. 2008
Email: Vivian Villalobos: Vivian on The V.E.T.I. Network
Welcome Students! God cares deeply for his creation! He desires to work through surrendered willing vessels to reach out those who are hurting and bring them a message of hope. This Biblical Counseling Intensive Course presents an introductory framework that targets the personhood of the counselor. If you feel that God has gifted you with a heart that desires to assist people, care for them and provide encouragement in times of need, then this is a great start to help you carry out a ministry of caring for people who are hurting, deeply searching for hope and/or looking to God for answers. When God’s Word is carefully applied, people experience freedom and wholeness.
Course Description: This course is designed as a basic introduction to increase the student’s knowledge of the requirements, responsibilities and spiritual identity of a Christian counselor. Common counseling issues, exercises in active listening, and understanding the importance of meeting the needs of hurting people through biblically based lay counseling will be interactively discussed. Using spiritual gifts in counseling with complete dependence upon the power of the Holy Spirit is emphasized.
Course Objective: This is a one day introductory intensive with lecture and group exercises to provide insight that equips the student with a basic knowledge and guidelines for Christian lay counseling in a church setting. This intensive is designed in three sessions: the identity of the counselor, responding to tough issues and using spiritual disciplines in counseling.
Text Requirements:
Biblical Counseling
Collins, Gary R. Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide. 3rd ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007. This book is available as a download here and here. ISBN: 9781418503291
Recommended reading for Session 2:
Goulston, Mark, M.D. Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone. AMACON Books, 2010. New York, New York. ISBN 978-0-8144-1403-3
Recommended reading for Session 3:
Kraft, Charles. Two Hours to Freedom: A Simple and Effective Model for Healing and Deliverance. CHOSEN BOOKS Publishing, 2010. Grand Rapids, Michigan. ISBN 978-0-8007-9498-9
Homework Requirements:
1. Prepare a 5 page paper from a topic of interest provided from lecture.
2. Prepare a 3-5 page book report from the recommended text.
3. Deadline for both of these papers will be due by April 30, 2014. Papers submitted after that date will not be accepted. Course grade will be significantly lowered.
Topics Discussed:
Session 1 What Does a Christian Counselor Look Like?
Session 2 Responding to Tough Issues and Active Listening Skills
Session 3 Use of Spiritual Disciplines in Counseling
Class Schedule:
08:30 – 9:00 a.m. prayer and praise pre-class time
09:00 - 10:30 a.m. Session 1
10:30 – 10:40 a.m. Mini break
10:40 -12:00 p.m. Session 2
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. 45 minute Lunch Break, plus 5 minutes to resume class
12:50 - 02:00 p.m. Session 3
02:00 – 03:30 p.m.
Course Topics:
Session 1 – What Does the Counselor look like?
Identity in Christ
Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
Biblical Confidentiality, Suicide and Mandated Reporting
When to refer – out of scope – i.e. Addiction, Trauma, Mental Health Diagnosis, Domestic Violence, Medication Management
Roles – emotional containment, personal disclosure
Helping Others Find Significance in Life
Session 2 How Does A Counselor Respond To Tough Issues?
How To Listen: Active Listening Exercises
Asking Good Questions: Open vs. Closed Q Exercise
Healing begins with a change of heart
Session 3 Using Spiritual Disciplines in Counseling
Prayer, Inner Healing Prayer & Forgiveness
Silence and Solitude – “creating a “ministry of presence”
Embracing Pain and Letting go - Confession
Breaking Generational Patterns
Using Spiritual Gifts in Counseling; Depending Upon the Holy Spirit