Training & Education

Whether you are interested in becoming a certified pastoral counselor, pursuing certification as a Christian life coach, or expanding your knowledge through specialized training, Branches offers practical, Christ-centered education designed to help you grow and serve with confidence.

Pastoral Counseling

Branches partners with the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) to train and certify individuals who feel called to the ministry of pastoral counseling.

Pastoral counselors walk alongside others with compassion, biblical wisdom, and practical guidance, helping people navigate life’s challenges through a Christ-centered approach.

Our training program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to counsel effectively while integrating biblical principles with sound counseling practices. Courses are available both in person and online, providing flexibility for a variety of schedules.

Depending on the level of certification pursued, the program may be completed in as little as six months or may take up to two years. Students may also have opportunities to pursue a degree through one of our partner seminaries.

If you feel called to serve others through pastoral counseling, we would love to talk with you about the next steps toward certification.

Christian Life Coach Certification

Branches trains and certifies Christian life coaches who are passionate about helping others move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and confidence.

Life coaches help clients identify where they want to go, establish meaningful and achievable goals, overcome obstacles, and create practical steps toward growth. Throughout the process, coaches serve as trusted encouragers, guides, and accountability partners.

While counseling and coaching can sometimes address similar areas of life, coaching is generally focused on helping people identify goals, make changes, and move toward the future they desire.

Christian life coaches have unique opportunities to serve individuals, churches, ministries, businesses, and other organizations while integrating practical coaching skills with a Christ-centered perspective.

The Branches Christian Life Coach Certification Program is a three-step process that typically takes about one year to complete. The program includes three courses, a supervised practicum, and ongoing supervision. Classes meet online one evening each week, making the program accessible for those balancing work, ministry, and family responsibilities.

If you are interested in becoming a certified Christian life coach, we would be happy to answer your questions and help you determine whether the program is a good fit.

Training & Support for Churches and Organizations

Branches is passionate about strengthening churches, ministries, businesses, and nonprofit organizations by equipping leaders to care well for the people they serve.

We partner with churches and ministries to train pastoral counselors and Christian life coaches who can provide meaningful support within their congregations and communities.

We also work with organizations to provide training, counseling, coaching, and other supportive services designed to strengthen leadership, promote employee well-being, improve workplace health, and support greater organizational effectiveness.

Whether you are looking to develop a counseling or coaching ministry, strengthen your leadership team, or better support the people within your organization, we would love to explore how Branches can help.

Additional Training Opportunities

In addition to our certification programs, Branches offers workshops and specialized training throughout the year on topics related to emotional health, relationships, leadership development, personal growth, and ministry effectiveness.

These opportunities are open to everyone—you do not need to be enrolled in one of our certification programs to participate.

Branches also offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for licensed counselors through select trainings. These opportunities allow helping professionals to meet continuing education requirements while growing in knowledge and practical skills.

Join our email list to be among the first to hear about upcoming workshops, CEU trainings, and other educational opportunities.

Learn More

Interested in one of our training or certification programs?

We would love to help you explore the opportunities available and determine the best next step.

To learn more, contact Bethany Bratcher, Director of Training & Education, at bbratcher@branches.org.

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