essentials of biblical counseling certificate

Everyday Problems in Counseling

with Lauren Whitman

sample lecture

This course considers more than ten everyday problems that people face in a fallen world, such as suffering, shame, conflict, and anger. With each problem, we will consider how the Bible conceptualizes the experience and how it leads us to help others to persevere through problems with the goal that their faith expresses itself through love (Gal 5:6).

What to Expect

Course Work

Each week you'll listen to pre-recorded lectures, read articles and books, and engage with other students through online forums.
You'll complete various projects and papers, demonstrating your understanding and personal growth in the topics covered during the lectures and reading.
Your online instructor will give you feedback and interact with you throughout the course.
Throughout the term, you'll have the opportunity to participate in optional online engagements with your instructor.
Please note: you must have access to a computer to complete this course.

Course Objectives

Become proficient in biblical conceptualizations for everyday problems
Gain both training and practice in applying Scripture to everyday problems in winsome, personal ways
Gain both training and practice in counseling methods for counseling everyday problems
Gain a sensitivity to the complexity of people’s experience of problems, and possess a growing confidence
that Scripture speaks in the midst of the experience
Grow in being discerning observers of counselees and be able to organize and act upon observations by
setting ministry priorities for counselees that are attuned to realistic pacing for the person
Be equipped to enlist helpers, establish church support, and think through other professional referrals
and consultations
Possess a growing self-awareness and humility of your own struggles with everyday problems so that you
can better empathize with counselees

Course Schedule

Week 1: Four Biblical Metaphors & Twelve Faithful Responses to Problems
Week 2: Suffering
Week 3: Shame
Week 4: Guilt
Week 5: Anxiety & Fear
Week 6: Loss
Week 7: Conflict
Week 8: Counseling Observation
Week 9: Anger
Week 10: Everyday Addictions

At a Glance

terms offered

Every September & March

course cost

$700–$750

course length

10 weeks

workload

6–9 hours/week

Essentials of Biblical Counseling Certificate

Everyday Problems in Counseling is one of four courses in the Essentials of Biblical Counseling Certificate. Learn more about our current courses and certificates of completion below.

Certificate options

current students

Meet the Lecturing Faculty

Lauren is a faculty member and counselor at CCEF, where she has served since 2010. She holds a master of arts in counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary and a certificate in advanced professional counseling from Missio Seminary. Lauren also serves as the developmental editor for the Journal of Biblical Counseling. Through her work with the Journal, she brings experience and skill for developing authors and their writing. She also has a particular interest in biblical counseling methodology and in marriage counseling. Lauren has published multiple books, including A Painful Past (P&R Publishing, 2020) and A Biblical Counseling Process (New Growth Press, 2021).

lauren's resources