Soul Therapy · Biblical Counselor Training

Answer the Call to
Counsel God's Way

The St. John Biblical Counseling Center — in partnership with the International Association of Biblical Counselors (IABC) — offers a rigorous, achievable pathway to becoming a Certified Biblical Counselor. Three steps. One calling.

Apply to the Program Learn About IABC
Soul Therapy Training Center
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IABC Certified Training Center · Directed by Dr. Antonio M. Alfred
The Calling

Biblical Counseling Is More Than
a Ministry — It's a Mandate

The Word of God is sufficient for every issue of life. Biblical counseling is the Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-empowered, practical application of Biblical truth to a person's life — through nurture, instruction, correction, and prayer — with the goal of personal maturity and fruitfulness.

At Soul Therapy, we are raising up the next generation of Biblical counselors for Bakersfield and beyond. Under the direct mentorship of Dr. Antonio M. Alfred — ACBC and IABC certified, with over 25 years of counseling ministry — our training program prepares candidates for IABC certification through live training, theological examination, and supervised counseling practice.

Who Should Apply?

This program is for ministers, deacons, ministry leaders, and laypersons who sense a calling to walk alongside hurting people with the Word of God. No prior counseling degree is required — only a genuine faith, a servant's heart, and a commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture.

IABC membership is a prerequisite for certification. Contact our office to begin the membership process before applying for the training program.

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
2 Peter 1:3 · The Foundation of Biblical Counseling
The Pathway to Certification

Three Steps to Becoming
a Certified Biblical Counselor

The IABC certification process is demanding, yet achievable. Every requirement exists to ensure that those who counsel God's people are equipped with sound theology, practical skill, and proven character.

1
Step One
Biblical Studies & Course of Study
Complete the IABC-approved curriculum through Soul Therapy's Training Center, including required readings, lecture reviews, and written submissions.
2
Step Two
Exams & Evaluations
Successfully complete the Biblical Counselor's Theological Examination and the Counseling Examination, reviewed and approved by two Training Center Directors.
3
Step Three
Counseling Practicum
Complete a minimum of 50 supervised counseling sessions under the mentorship of Dr. Alfred, with regular debriefs and case review throughout the practicum.
Step One

Biblical Studies &
Course of Study

1
IABC-Approved Curriculum
Live Training · Reading · Written Submissions
"Training begins with completion of an approved course of study by which the counselor-in-training will acquire the basic approach to counseling that effects biblical, transformational change." — IABC Certification Manual
📖
Required Textbooks
Complete written summaries and application responses for each required text. Each submission is 2–5 pages per chapter, clearly stating the author's message and your personal and ministry application. All answers must be supported with Scripture.
Written Submissions Required
🎧
Lecture Requirements
Listen to IABC-assigned audio and video lectures. Take detailed notes on pertinent points. Submit written responses using the same format as reading assignments. Contact the IABC office for the lecture streaming link.
Notes & Written Response
✍️
Submission Formatting
All submissions are digital. Use 12pt Times New Roman or Arial, 1-inch margins, 1.5 spacing. Include title, your name, and page number in the header. Support every answer with Scripture. Reading, lecture, counseling, and theology submissions are submitted as four separate documents.
Digital Submission
📅
Ongoing Reading Requirement
To maintain active certified status each year, counselors must read a minimum of 200 pages of approved biblical counseling material and present a summary to the Training Center Director. This requirement continues annually after certification.
Annual Continuing Education
Required Textbooks
A Theology of Biblical Counseling
Heath Lambert — Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry
The Christian Counselor's Manual
Jay E. Adams
How to Counsel God's Way
Bob Hoekstra
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Paul David Tripp
Curing the Heart
Howard A. Eyrich & William L. Hines — A Model for Biblical Counseling
Step Two

Exams & Evaluations

2
Theological & Counseling Examinations
Written Exams · Reviewed by Two TCDs · Scripture-Supported
Both examinations are written, submitted to your Mentor for review, and then forwarded to a second Training Center Director for concurrence. Every answer must be supported with Scripture.
📜
Biblical Counselor's Theological Examination
Write one-page Scripture-supported answers across 10 areas of theology. This examination tests the depth of your theological foundation as it applies directly to the counseling ministry.
Submit to Mentor
📋
Counseling Examination
Write one-page answers to 20 practical counseling questions covering philosophy of counseling, specific case approaches, marriage, family, forgiveness, sanctification, and more. Each answer must integrate Scripture with practical application.
Submit to Mentor
✅
Dual Review Process
Upon your Mentor's approval of both examinations, they are forwarded to a second Training Center Director for independent review and concurrence. Both directors must agree before the candidate advances to the practicum phase.
Two-Director Approval
Theological Examination Topics
Bibliology — Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture
Theology Proper — God the Father, His Attributes & Decrees
Christology — The Person, Deity & Lordship of Jesus Christ
Pneumatology — The Holy Spirit's Person, Work & Role in Counseling
Anthropology — The Nature of Man, Depravity & Identity in Christ
Soteriology — Salvation, the Gospel & Intimacy with God
Demonology — Spiritual Warfare & the Nature of Satan
Ecclesiology — The Church's Authority Over Biblical Counseling
Practical Theology — Counseling & the Mandate of Discipleship
Biblical Sociology — Marriage, Family Roles & Biblical Responsibilities
Character Reference Requirement
🤝
Three Confidential Character References
Candidates must provide three individuals — one Friend, one Pastor, and one Colleague — to complete the IABC Confidential Character Reference Form. References evaluate 23 character qualities drawn from 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, including Christian maturity, faithfulness in marriage, self-control, gentleness, and a disciplined Christian life.
Friend · Pastor · Colleague
🏛
Letter of Recommendation from Church or Ministry
A letter from your church or Christian organization verifying your active involvement in a ministry where counseling skills are utilized. For Soul Therapy candidates, this letter will be provided by St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
Church Verification
🔍
Criminal Background Check & Child Safety Training
All IABC certification candidates must authorize a criminal background check through Protect My Ministry (ministryopportunities.org/iabc) and complete the mandatory online Child Safety Training. Background checks are renewed every three years. The cost is included in the annual renewal fee.
Required for All Candidates
Step Three

Counseling Practicum

3
50 Hours of Supervised Counseling
Active Cases · Monthly Debriefs · Mentored by Dr. Alfred
"The purpose of mentoring is to assist the applicant through fifty hours of supervision of their Biblical counseling, providing feedback to the applicant on active cases." — IABC Certification Manual
🙏
Minimum 50 Active Counseling Sessions
Candidates must complete a minimum of 50 supervised counseling sessions with real counselees. Only active cases count toward the 50-hour requirement. Sessions are conducted under the oversight of Dr. Alfred as Training Center Director. Additional sessions may be required at the Mentor's discretion.
Active Cases Only
📆
Monthly Debriefs with Mentor
Candidates participate in regular scheduled debriefs with Dr. Alfred — typically once every one to two months — to review active cases, receive feedback, refine counseling approach, and continue growing in biblical counseling skill and theological depth. These debriefs continue for two years after certification.
Ongoing Accountability
📝
Letter of Recommendation for Certification
After all training, examinations, and practicum hours are successfully completed, Dr. Alfred coordinates with a second approved Training Center Director to review the candidate's full portfolio. If both are in agreement, they jointly submit a letter recommending the candidate for IABC Certification.
Final Step to Certification
🏅
IABC Conference Attendance
Certified Biblical Counselors are required to attend an IABC Annual or Regional Conference at least once every three years. The first conference attendance is encouraged to be the Annual IABC Conference (held the first week of August) where you are officially received and welcomed as an IABC Certified Biblical Counselor.
Every 3 Years
Certification Fees
Fee Amount Notes
IABC Membership (non-certified) $60.00/yr Required before beginning certification. Active membership must be maintained.
Certification Processing Fee $49.00 One-time initial processing fee paid to IABC Member Services.
Initial Certification Fee $99.00 First year of certified membership. Includes tri-annual background check.
Total Initial Fees $148.00 Payable to International Association of Biblical Counselors.
Annual Renewal Fee $99.00/yr Maintains active certified status. Covers tri-annual background check.
Mentoring Donation $450.00 Suggested donation to your mentor for guiding you through the certification process.
After Certification

Maintaining Active Status

Certification is not a destination — it is a commitment to ongoing excellence, accountability, and growth in the ministry of Biblical counseling.

📚
3 Continuing Education Credits Per Year
Complete three approved CE credits annually. The approved CE course list is updated regularly on the IABC website. Credits must be fully completed to receive recognition.
📖
200 Pages of Approved Reading Per Year
Read at least 200 pages of biblical counseling or approved related material annually. Present a summary to the Training Center Director. Reading list is approved by your Mentor.
⛪
Active Church Involvement
Remain actively involved in a Bible-believing, preaching, and practicing church. Active church participation is considered vital for both the counselor and those they counsel.
🏅
IABC Conference — Every 3 Years
Attend at least one IABC Annual or Regional conference every three years. In some instances, streaming with paid registration may be permitted, as determined by your Mentor.
🤝
Annual Statement Renewal
Annually sign and affirm agreement with the IABC Statement of Faith and Statement of Practice, maintaining accountability to the doctrinal and ethical standards of biblical counseling.
💬
Active Counseling Ministry
Remain actively involved in biblical counseling in a local church or recognized parachurch ministry. Ongoing practice in the local church context is the foundation of IABC certification.
"We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ."
Colossians 1:28 · The Mission of Biblical Counseling

Ready to Answer
the Call?

Contact us today to learn more about the Soul Therapy Biblical Counselor Training Program and begin the IABC membership process. Dr. Alfred and the Soul Therapy team are ready to walk with you every step of the way.

Contact Us to Apply Visit IABC.net
Questions? Call 661-324-5683 or email stjohnbakersfield@gmail.com
Soul Therapy · St. John Missionary Baptist Church · 1401 East Brundage Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93307