christian counseling
certificate-based training for pastors and lay counselors
Northwind Institute is a Certified Academic Institution of the
National Christian Counselors Association and is authorized
to offer training, certification, and membership in the
National Christian Counselors Association.
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For information about NCCA training use the 'NCCA Counseling Courses' button.
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For information about NCCA Advanced Courses & CEU Courses use the 'NCCA Advanced Courses Button' below
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This online distance learning program can be conveniently completed from home. Each course has a generous time frame for completion that easily fits with outside employment, family time and ample study time.
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Since the majority of students have not been in school for several years, there is often some fear of not being successful in completing coursework, taking exams and writing counseling reports. Our faculty is well prepared to help students successfully complete the program.
Rev. Dr. Robert J. Duncan Jr. with Rev. Steve Baran, Drs. Richard & Phyllis Arno at the 2009 NCCA Conference.
Dr. Duncan, Founder of Northwind Institute, received the Arno Award in recognition of the use of Temperament at Bacone College, where is served as President.
The college used the APS with all students, established a Christian Counseling Center, and used NCCA Training materials in their Christian Ministry Degree.
He has been a member of the NCCA for over 30 years and currently serves on the NCCA Board of Directors.
NCCA History and Information
In 1981, Drs. Richard and Phyllis Arno established the National Christian Counselors Association (N.C.C.A.) as a non-profit corporation to conduct research and develop a therapeutic procedure based on Scripture. The procedure would accomplish three essential goals:
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Enable the candidate to learn the system easily and relatively quickly
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Save pastors and Christian counselors precious time in counseling sessions
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Produce effective, positive, and more immediate results with those being counseled
Drs. Arno developed the Arno Profile System (APS Report) over seven years through systematic research with over 5,000 individuals. The counselees sought help for depression, inter/intra-personal conflict, marriage & family dysfunctions and anxiety.
The APS is the tool used to identify a person's temperament. Temperament, in simple terms, is the inborn (not genetic, i.e., brown hair, blue eyes, etc.) part of man that determines how he reacts to people, places and things. In short, it is how people interact with their environments and the world around them.
Temperament pinpoints our perception of ourselves and the people who love us. It is also the determining factor in how well we handle the stresses and pressures of life.
Temperament can best be defined as Spiritual genetics or God's imprint upon each one of us. Three are involved in the conception of a child, the mother, the father, and the Creator.
Dr. Leroy Thompson is the Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Northwind Theological Seminary.
He directs the Christian Counseling Certificate Program at Northwind Institute.
Dr Thompson oversaw the day-to-day use of Temperament at Bacone College, where he administered several thousand APS and was responsible for the Christian Counseling Center.
He also served as Faculty in the Christian Ministry degree.
Dr. Thompson has been a member of the NCCA for over 15 years.
NCCA FAQ's
Can I be licensed as a Christian (counselor without having a B.A. degree?
No, you can only be certified. However, we can help you qualify for your B.A., M.A. and/or your Ph.D. through one of the several colleges that have partnered with the N.C.C.A.
Can I accept remuneration for counseling?
If you are an ordained, licensed or commissioned minister, you probably can accept remuneration for counseling since most states exempt clergy from having to be state licensed. However, you need to check your state’s statutes. The N.C.C.A.’s license is national, not state and, like ordination, it is a “Sacred” office.
Will I be trained to help those who are hurting?
Yes, research shows that persons who are trained by the N.C.C.A. are usually able to help more than 90% of those who turn to them for counsel. This, of course, depends on each individual’s God-given talent.
Do I have to be state licensed in order to counsel?
You need to decide if you want to be in the “business” of counseling or in the “ministry” of counseling. If “ministry,” then the N.C.C.A.’s licensing program will better suit your goals to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and fulfill His call on your life.
Is the training biblically sound?
Yes. The N.C.C.A. is totally devoted to the Lord and our training is all biblically-based.
Once credentialed by the N.C.C.A., will I qualify for professional malpractice/liability insurance?
Lockton Insurance Company has reviewed the N.C.C.A.’s requirements and credentialing procedures and will provide professional malpractice/liability insurance coverage for our members who reside within the continental United States.