Pastoral Counseling Apprenticeship

Deepen your skills in pastoral counseling through live one-on-one training or in small cohorts.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticing is one of the most ancient forms of training for spiritual leaders. The Apprentice Training Program is designed to train a select number of pastoral and clinical professionals through 32 hours of continuing education and advanced training in pastoral counseling and care. Training is led by Rev. Tres Adames, MDiv, BCPC.

What does the program consist of?

The 32 hours of training include 12 hours of live online one-on-one training, 10 hours of reading (based on selected topics), 10 practicum hours with counselees, where principles learned will be applied. The program may be taken individually or in tiny cohorts of no more than 3 people. Only a limited number of apprentices can be accepted at any one time and the program takes about 16 weeks (one semester) to complete. Students receive a Certificate of Completion after finishing the program.

Who is this for?

Since this is an advanced program, students must have training and experience in basic counseling skills and ethics as a prerequisite. The program has two tracks: a clinical track and a pastoral track:

• The Pastoral Track is for ordained ministers and lay leaders and focuses on pastoral care and counseling. Those choosing the pastoral track must either have completed one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or completed the ACPE Pastoral Care Specialist Training Program.
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• The Clinical Track is for state-licensed and pre-licensed therapists or those in a counseling  program seeking licensure. This track primarily focuses on theological and spiritual integration in working with clients.

What topics are covered?

Because this is an advanced training, there is not a set curriculum, as each training is tailored to the needs and existing expertise of each student. This is an à la carte program, meaning that participants have the opportunity to select which topics they would like to cover during readings and live sessions. Possible topics include (but are not limited to):

• Basic Christian Theology
• Theological Issues & Integration
• Soteriology (Theology on Salvation)
• Spiritual Disciplines
• ​Marriage & Couples Counseling
• Family Systems Theory
• ​Internal Family Systems
• Parenting Children & Teens

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  
• Mental Health & Faith
• Emotional Intelligence
  
• Grief and Loss​
• Codependency & Boundaries
• LGBTQ+ Sexuality & Faith
• Religious & Spiritual Abuse
• Doubt & Deconstruction

Will this program certify me to become a counselor?

No. We are not a degree-granting institution and only provide continuing education in pastoral counseling. The certificates we offer do not qualify as college credit, but only confirm the number of continuing education hours finished as a result of finishing any of our programs. This program does not certify any profession itself and is meant to expand your own expertise and skills within your current context of work or ministry. 

Program and Cost

The next training starts Summer of 2023 and runs for 8 weeks. The total cost for training is $600 and can either be paid in full or in 4 monthly installments of $150.