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Certificate in Trauma-Based Counseling

GET ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TRAINING FOR COUNSELING VICTIMS OF TRAUMA

We are excited to offer this concentration for the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Moody Theological Seminary. This certificate program is designed for professionals with a master’s degree in mental health who want to further develop their skills in working with those suffering from various forms of trauma. The 15-credit-hour program trains you to counsel others with theologically grounded, evidence-based treatments and can be completed in one year. Completion of the program qualifies you to pursue certification as a clinical traumatologist.

During the program, you’ll learn to apply clinical training and biblical insight to the counseling field and get equipped to be a servant leader who can help transform your community and integrate faith into your work. Learn from professors with years of experience who will invest in your life and partner with you.

Sample Courses

  • Treating Traumatized Families
  • Theoretical Foundations of Trauma-Informed Counseling
  • Trauma Assessment and Interventions: Treating PTSD, Acute Stress, Grief, and Trauma
  • Treating Complex Trauma: Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking
  • Disaster Mental Health

Learning Venues and Program Plan

Take classes when—and how—it’s most convenient for you, with two flexible options:

  • Come on campus to Chicago or Michigan, where you’ll study in a classroom setting. At the Chicago campus, you can also get practical experience in the MTS Counseling Center
  • Bible and Theology courses can be taken online, on campus, or in a modular format

Program Plan

Faculty

Learn from experienced faculty mentors like Dr. Deborah Gorton, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program head. Study under Dr. Valencia Wiggins, a Licensed Professional Counselor with years of counseling experience.

 

Dr. Deborah Gorton

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Dr. Valencia Wiggins

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Dr. Oksoon Cho

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Prof. Elom Togbi-Wonyo

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Student Experience

As you study, you’ll:

  • Learn the foundation of clinical mental health counseling skills and knowledge
  • Practice the key dispositions necessary to be an excellent servant leader in the field
  • Integrate your faith and the practice of spiritual disciplines as you counsel others
  • Study historical and contemporary trends in mental health practice to navigate diversity in the field
  • Apply biblical wellness-based strategies to initiate growth and transformation
  • Prepare to navigate a variety of post-graduate environments with insight, integrity, and humility

After you Graduate

You’ll graduate from this program ready to counsel with humility, compassion, and faithfulness, serving God wherever you go. You’ll be equipped to counsel in a wide variety of circumstances, with specialized expertise in ministering to families and couples. Alumni from the program are serving around the world in mental health agencies, hospitals, missions organizations, faith-based and university counseling centers, and many other places where God has led them.

Financial Aid

A Moody seminary education is easier than ever to afford at $495 per credit hour (price subject to change per academic year). Our scholarships and payment plans help you even more by defraying the cost of tuition and spreading out your financial obligations over time. You may also qualify for a Federal Loan.

Learn More

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the regular MTS admission requirements, CMHC applicants are required to complete a group interview with CMHC faculty. Once you have started the online application, please email campusvisits@moody.edu for the available interview dates. Video conference options will be available for the interview dates. Read more about the admissions requirements here.

CMHC applicants must have their application submitted by Friday, November 20th, 2020 for the Spring 2021 semester and by Friday, July 16th, 2021 for the Fall 2021 semester.