Taught by Dr. Mark E. Shaw, this online access to pre-recorded videos with handouts will prepare a counselor to engage counselees who are controlled by life-dominating sins, temptations, and addictive behaviors, while providing hope and direction to them in the midst of their struggles.

 
 

 

Who can sign up?

The Addiction Connection created this online course (Education Phase) for anyone, certified or not.

However, to proceed to the Examination Phase through ACBC, you must have already obtained prior ACBC Certification.

I'm ACBC Certified; What do I need to do?

Instructions for ACBC Certified Counselors:

  1. Sign up for and complete this online course in its entirety.
  2. Read 1,200 pages from the approved reading list.
  3. When you’ve completed this Education Phase online, contact ACBC for the next step of the process.
  4. ACBC’s Examination Phase will include a multiple-choice exam and written exam.
  5. Please note that The Addiction Connection & Grace Counseling Center DO NOT provide the examinations from ACBC.
  6. When you finish this online course, you’ll receive a certificate. Download this certificate to your computer as proof of completion of the 20+ hours of lectures from an ACBC certified training center. If you do not receive a certificate upon completion, please email us at [email protected].
What are the 2 phases?

Two Phases (for the ACBC Certified Counselor)

  • Phase 1: Education

    Engage in high-quality, focused training. You have two options: online completion (right here), or find a Certified Training Center near you. Plus, you’ll need to read 1,200 pages from approved reading list.

  • Phase 2: Examination

    Be tested to verify your retention and understanding of the biblical truths presented and their applications. This is a two-part process including a multiple-choice exam and a written exam with in-depth case studies. Contact ACBC for more information.

How much does it cost, and how long will I have access?

$197.00 for a one year access to all the course materials.

To renew for another year, contact [email protected] for a special coupon for $50.00 renewal.

What do I get with my purchase?

For $197.00, you’ll receive digital access to 22 pre-recorded 1-hour lectures from Dr. Shaw, along with detailed multi-page handouts in PDF format to accompany each lesson.

What are the topics covered in the course?

Core Training Requirements

An ACBC certified member will complete a minimum of 20 hours of instruction covering the following topics:

Theological Foundations of Addictions

  • Understanding Addictions Biblically
  • Origin of Addiction
  • A Biblical Foundation of Addiction Counseling
  • Understanding the Disease Model of Addictions
  • A Biblical Understanding of Twelve Steps Programs
  • Understanding and Evaluating Celebrate Recovery from a Biblical Perspective

Orientation to Addictions Counseling

  • Where to Begin with Life Dominating Sins
  • How to Change Patterns of Thought and Behavior
  • The Role of the Church in Helping Someone Who is Addicted
  • The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Change Process
  • The Practical Outworking of the Holy Spirit in Addiction Counseling
  • Understanding Temptation: A Framework for Counseling All Types of Addiction

Issues in Addictions Counseling

  • Medical Issues and Addictions
  • Counseling and Substance Abuse
  • Counseling and Gambling
  • Counseling and Sexual Sin

Addiction Intervention Strategies

  • Prevention Strategies for Addiction – Part 1
  • Prevention Strategies for Addiction – Part 2: Glorifying God Through Intentional Parenting
  • Counseling Families Impacted by Addiction
  • Counseling an Addict’s Enabler
  • How to Conduct an Addiction Intervention – Part 1
  • How to Conduct an Addiction Intervention – Part 2
What are the reading requirements for ACBC Counselors?

Reading Requirements

An ACBC Certified Member must complete 1,200 pages of reading from the following approved books:

Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw
Susan Heck
Ed Welch
Rush Witt
Rush Witt
Jay Adams
Stuart Scott
Lou Priolo
Lou Priolo
Kris Lundgaard
Jeremy Pierre
Richard Ganz
Thomas Watson
Jim Berg
Is this from an ACBC Certified Training Center?

Yes! This course had been created by Grace Counseling Center (Grace Fellowship Church) in Florence, Kentucky, an ACBC Certified Training Center. This course is also supported and launched by The Addiction Connection, a ministry founded by Dr. Mark Shaw, who is the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church.

Is there a deadline to complete ACBC's Specializaton process?

ACBC Certified Counselors pursuing the specialization have one year to complete the entire process from beginning to end.

This is also our suggestion for other counselors.

What happens/what do I get when I complete this specialization?

This specialization is further training in a specific area created for ACBC Certified Counselors in order to show that a counselor has advanced training. The specialization will be added to the online directory listing of every ACBC Certified Counselor who satisfactorily completes all elements of the specialization. Beginning in 2022, the Addictions Counseling Specialization will also count for Continuing Education Unit credit.

Is there any cost associated with the ACBC specialization?

The online course only includes Phase 1 (open to the public) of the specialization. It costs $197.00. To complete Phase 2 (Multiple Choice and Written Exams) you’ll need to contact ACBC and pay a separate fee of $50. Therefore, the total cost for the ACBC Specialization is about $250.00

Are specializations with ACBC required?

At the present, this specialization is optional for ACBC Certified Counselors. In the future, it will be a part of the Continuing Education requirements for ACBC Certified Counselors.

I still have questions. How can I get answers for these questions?

Send us an email at [email protected] and someone from our team at The Addiction Connection will get back with you.

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