Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre 422-A TELOK BLANGAH ROAD, SINGAPORE Website:

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1 Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre 422-A TELOK BLANGAH ROAD, SINGAPORE Website: Tel: Fax: PROSPECTUS FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING COURSES

2 CONTENTS Preamble of Christian Counsellors Training Ministry 3 Introduction to the Courses. 4 Profile of Trainers 8 Accreditation 10 Application Form 11 2

3 Preamble of Christian Counsellors Training Ministry Though some Christians have turned to their church for counselling, however they have found that there aren t sufficient trained Christian counsellors available to help. Others might have sought help from counseling professionals who are usually non-christians but have always found that the problems are not resolved by these counselors. It is imperative for churches today to equip lay people especially those who are serving as cell-group leaders and those in the caring ministry in the church. In this way, help can be rendered to those who need it before it becomes too late. In response to the dire situation in our Christian community, Oasis Family Life Education Centre has gathered a group of like-minded professional Christian counsellors, family therapists and psychotherapists to set up a Christian Counsellors Training Ministry in The aim was to train as many lay people as possible to serve as trained Christian counsellors, who would work alongside with the pastors either as fulltime or part time counsellors or volunteer counsellors. We are working closely with the Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore (ACCS) to promote and champion the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ in the area of counselling and caring for our emotionally, psychologically or spiritually wounded brothers and sisters in Christ. All those who complete the training programme, will be eligible to be registered as members of ACCS and also be awarded a Diploma in Christian Counselling when they have fulfilled all the requirements (18 modules plus practicum).. 3

4 Introduction to the Courses Four levels of Christian counselling courses are offered: I. Basic Christian Counselling (6 modules) II. Basic Skills Training (Sensitivity Training) (40 hours) III. Counselling Life Issues (6 modules) IV. Mental Health Counselling (6 modules) Introduction to Certificate in Basic Christian Counselling Training Course The Apostle Paul exhorted Christians in Thessalonica to warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all (IThes.5:14). This has set a direction for the ministry of Christian counselors today. In other words, the main function of Christian counselors is to patiently show love to the unlovable, give hope to the hopeless and strengthen the faith of the feeble A Christian counselor therefore needs to be equipped with the basic skills to listen patiently and attentively to those who are in need of help. He must be able to explore deep into their situations and identify with their problems and needs. The counselor must also be able to skillfully guide the counselees to discover their resources and strengths within themselves after the intensive exploratory and listening process. This is done through consolidating and reframing of what the counselor has heard for the purpose of building up faith and hope of the counselees. This will motivate them to proactively change the faulty perception of themselves so that they confidently resolve their problems. In short, an effective Christian counselor empowers counselees to perceive their situations positively and make use of what they have and with faith, hope and love resolve their problems. This can be done as, the counselor skillfully and patiently coach and facilitate counselees to change their perception and behavior so that they can acquire necessary skills dealing with their situations. In order to equip more Christians for the counselling ministry, the Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre and the Association of Christian Counselors in Singapore provide intensive training courses and weekend courses complete with practicum. Interested parties can register online at This course will be conducted when there are at least 15 online registrants. On completion, participants may continue with a 3-weekend intensive Basic Counseling Skills training class which is also known as Sensitivity Training. This training class is normally arranged with a maximum of 10 students per class and is conducted on Friday or Monday evenings (7-10 pm), Saturdays (9 am-5 pm) and Sunday afternoons (2-5 pm) at the Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre. They will then be followed up by weekly 3-hour practical training for 12 weeks and 24 hours personal involvement in the counsellng experience. In other words, students will have to spend 100 hours in their practical work including sensitivity training, case reviews in a group and personal involvement in counseling cum writing of verbatim report. The 3-weekend Sensitivity Training course will help participants deal with some of their own baggage and hang-ups, sharpen their listening skills, train them to understand behavioral traits, and equip them with skills in reframing and giving positive feedbacks to the counselees. Some who have gone through the training testified that they had improved in their communication skills both at home and in their workplace. Students who have completed the programme will be awarded with a certificate of Basic Christian Counseling. They may then serve as Christian Counselors and Group Facilitators in their church. If they would then like to pursue a Diploma in Christian Counselling, they may continue with two other levels of Christian Counseling Theories course as indicated in our prospectus. 4

5 There is no age limit for those who wish to attend the course. The fee for each level of the course is $300 and for the 12 practical group sessions is $120. The minimum intake for level I, III and IV is 15 students and maximum intake for a Sensitivity Training Class and Practical Training session is 10 students. I. CERTIFICATE IN BASIC CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING Module 1. Comparative Study of Secular & Christian Counselling Secular vs Christian Counselling Use of Scriptures in Counselling Role of the Holy Spirit in Counselling Module 2. Spiritual Foundation in Christian Counselling A Counsellor s Personal Time with God A Counsellor s Christ-Like Personality A Counsellor's Victorious Christian Life Module 3. Counselling Psychology Anatomy of the Brain Application of Brain Functions in Counselling Theories of Perception, Learning Memory, Motivation & Emotion Module 4. Counselling Skills The Counselling Process Attending Skills Listening & Questioning Skills Module 5. Counselling Methods Problem-Solving Approach Rational Emotive Approach Reality Approach Behaviour Approach Cognitive Approach Module 6. Legal and Ethical issues in Counselling The rights of counselees and the law The Parens Patriae and Diminished Capacity Plea (Durham Law) Ethical codes and confidentiality in counselling 5

6 II. CERTIFICATE IN BASIC SKILLS IN COUNSELLING TRAINING Listening skills Strengthening of one s inner being Identifying traits of counselees Verbatim Analysis Case studies III. CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING LIFE ISSUES Module 1. Marriage Counselling A normal Christian Marriage Managing marital conflicts Systemic Approach to Marriage Counselling Module 2 Family Counselling Understanding of a healthy Christian Family Structure Family life-cycle and transitional changes Understanding of Personality traits and coping with behavioural patterns Module 3 Counselling Those with Guilt Problems The different types of guilt The causes of guilt and its adverse effects Methods for counselling those with guilt problems Module 4 Counselling Those with Addiction Problems Familiarization of the drug culture A Field trip to a Drug Rehabilitation Centre Counselling with an addict's family Developing a support network to prevent relapse Module 5 Grief Counselling and Crisis Counselling Attitudes and beliefs concerning dying and death The grief process and grief counselling 6

7 Understanding crisis Ways to counsel in a crisis Module 6 Counselling Children Disorders - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Conduct Disorder Descriptions of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Conduct Disorder (DSM-IV) Genetic, environmental and other factors leading to above disorders Psychotherapies for above disorders IV. CERTIFICATE IN MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING Module 1. History of Psychology & Treatment of Mental Disorders A brief survey of the history of psychology and the treatment of mental illnesses An evaluation the major theoretical systems An understanding of behaviourism, psychoanalysis, cognitive science and other branches of psychology Module 2. Clinical Diagnosis and Interview Clinical interview, assessment, judgment and intervention An understanding of therapeutic alliance, client s readiness, Client s resistance, transference and counter-transference The identification of psychopathologies Module 3. Basic Understanding of Psychopharmacology The use of biotherapy in treating psychological disorders The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of drugs The effects or side effects of psychological drugs Module 4. Counselling Exogenous and Endogenous Depression Descriptions exogenous and endogenous depression (DSM- IV) Counselling exogenous depression Prevention of exogenous depression Psychotherapy program for endogenous depression Module 5. Counselling General Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive and Compulsion Disorder 7

8 Descriptions of Anxiety Disorders (DSM-IV) Genetic, environmental and other factors leading to above disorders Psychotherapies for above disorders Module 6. Counselling Agoraphobia, Phobias and Panic Attack Descriptions of Agoraphobia, Phobias and Panic Attack (DSM IV) Genetic, environmental and other factors leading to disorders Psychotherapies for above disorders * A Diploma in Christian Counselling will be jointly awarded by Oasis Family Life Education Centre and Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore, to students who have successfully completed all the modules of the training courses. Interested parties are invited to register online for the course PROFILE OF TRAINERS 1. Mr. Spencer Lee Academic Qualifications Master in Christian Counselling (Theological Ctr. for Asia) Counselling & Counselling Training Experience Upon graduation from Baptist Theological Seminary in 1984, Mr. Lee worked as a pastor in a local church. Mr. Lee subsequently worked as a full-time professional counsellor in Covenant Family Service Centre for about 3½ years and then as a Church Counsellor about 7 years. He is presently the Senior Associate Counsellor with Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre and also has been the Principal Trainer in counselling for 4 years. 2. Rev. Dr. Francis Ngoi Rev. Dr. Francis Ngoi obtained his Bachelor of Theology and Masters of Ministry in Pastoral Care from Trinity Theological College in Singapore in 1975 and 1978 respectively, Doctor of Ministry in Personality, Culture and Religion Degree from Boston University in 1990, and 8

9 his Professional Diploma in Marital and Family Therapy from Institute of Family Therapy, London in He has been a member of Association for Marital and Family Therapy (Singapore) since As an elder in CAC for more than 30 years, he has taught Pastoral Care and Counselling in Trinity Theological College and an assistant Supervisor for Clinical Pastoral Care Training for more than 10 years. He serves as the Director of Oasis Family Life Enrichment Centre since He has been promoting family wellness programs among churches and training Lay counselors and full time family life educators to support the family life ministry of local churches. He also provides professional help to dysfunctional marriages and families. 3. Simon Neo Teck Koon Psychotherapist & Trainer Master of Social Science (Counselling) Simon has 18 years of experience in counselling. He is also very active in the training and education field as well as conducting community outreach programmes. He holds a master s degree holder in Social Science (Counselling) with University of South Australia, his current portfolio includes practicing as a Psychotherapist in a private clinic at Novena Medical Centre. He is also an adjunct lecturer with various institutions, namely, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and many other private schools. Simon is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree in Group Psychotherapy. 9

10 4. YEO Kok Hwa, an industrial/organisational psychologist, practicing organisational behaviour, leadership development, career/performance coaching and counselling at workplace and individuals level. Kok Hwa integrates social psychology (transactional analysis), cognitive-behavioural psychology, human developmental & motivational principles and behavioural sciences in practicing organizational behaviours, leadership & people development. Kok Hwa holds an Executive Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Management of Human Resources, a Master of Social Science (MSocSc.) degree in Professional Counselling with advanced psychotherapies, a Specialists Diploma in Counselling Psychology, and a Certified Clinical Christian Counsellor. Accreditation The objective of the Christian Counsellors Training Course is primarily to equip Christians for the Christian counselling ministry in the local church. However we do not compromise the quality of our training as our trainers are very qualified people with sound theological and psychological training (see trainers profile). Our programmes are comprehensive and require a compulsory 30-hour practicum. The quality of the programmes is almost equivalent to any certificate and diploma in counselling offered in most institutes or theological colleges. Perhaps the only difference is that our students are not required to take any examination, however they have to write reflection papers for all the courses they take. Though the Christian Counsellor Training Course is not accredited to any university or theological college it has the recognition of the Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore which a Christian professional counselling body set up to promote and regulate the standard of Christian counseling in Singapore. Application Form for Christian Counsellors Training Course Name: Gender: Male Female Date of Birth Tel. No.: Home: Office HP: Home Address: Address: 10

11 Education: Below A Level Above A level Tertiary Doctoral Church Name: Position in Church: Experience or Training related to Counselling Ministry: Signature: Date: Location Map of Oasis Family Life Education Centre 11

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