The Certificate in Biblical Counseling equips individuals to minister the Word of God both formally and informally. The training explores the biblical and theological foundations for counseling, provides attendees with practical counseling methods and applications, and encourages attendees to faithfully assist those in need of help.
Southwestern Seminary offers Biblical Counseling certificate training over the course of 6 weekends spanning 2 semesters. Part 1 training covers weekends 1–3 in the first semester and Part 2 training covers weekends 4–6 in the second semester. Participants receive a final exam after weekend 6 training in Part 2. The exam is a take-home, open-note exam.
Southwestern Seminary awards a certificate in Biblical Counseling upon the upon the successful completion of Part 1 and Part 2 trainings.
Participants may attend in person or virtually via Zoom for the entirety of Part 1 and Part 2.
Each fall and spring semester offers both Part 1 and Part 2 trainings, allowing one to begin the training in either the fall or spring semester. Participants new to the Biblical Counseling training will register for Part 1. Those who have already completed Part 1 will register for Part 2 the following semester.
Part 1 Biblical Counseling Certificate Training
Training is held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The cost is $300 (plus registration fee) for Part 1 training (weekends 1–3).
Part 2 Biblical Counseling Certificate Training
Training is held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The cost is $300 (plus registration fee) for Part 2 training (weekends 4–6).
Dr. Lilly Park serves as Associate Professor in Biblical Counseling at Southwestern Seminary. She has taught counseling and women’s courses at various Christian colleges and seminaries since 2011. Her ministry experience includes serving as a staff counselor at a ministry that cares for young moms, as well as a church staff member, training church members in biblical counseling. Dr. Park has been a member of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors since 2007 and serves as a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Her desire is to help students think critically about life experiences and struggles from a Christ-centered perspective that is based on the authority of Scripture with the aim of loving God and loving others.
Dr. Cheryl Bell is the wife of one, the mother of four and Nana to three precious grandchildren. These are her most treasured relationships and greatest responsibilities. After raising and educating her children, God called Cheryl to return to school where she completed her Ph.D. in biblical counseling with a minor in women’s studies at Southwestern Seminary. Her dissertation addressed the issue of child sexual abuse. She currently teaches Biblical Counseling at Southwestern and counsels women who are struggling to meet life’s challenges. She loves to see God transform His children’s lives by His Spirit and through His Word in the classroom and in the counseling room.
Dr. Jon Okinaga graduated with his Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Seminary. He serves as an adjunct-faculty member at Southwestern teaching courses in Biblical Counseling. Jon is passionate about helping those who struggle with substance abuse and has over a decade of counseling experience serving in various ministry capacities. Dr. Okinaga is a member of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and is now working toward becoming a fellow. He is married to Nicole and has one son. He and his wife are members of Birchman Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX.
Please contact CounselingCenter@swbts.edu or call 817-923-1921 ext. 8695 if you have any questions concerning the Biblical Counseling certificate training.
To reserve overnight accommodations, please contact the Riley Center at 817.921.8800 or guests@swbts.edu.
If you are new to the campus, please view the campus map.
