Redeemer Counseling Fellows Program
9-Month Training

Welcome to the Fellows Program! 

This is a 9-month intensive mental health and counseling skills training program for pastors and ministry leaders.

Please take a look at the application process below.

We look forward to a great year.

Applications are now closed for 2025-2026. Please add your name and email to the interest list for next year.

INTEREST FORM

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Redeemer Counseling Fellows Program is a 9-month intensive mental health and counseling skills training program for pastors and ministry leaders. Classes are taught by our Gospel-centered professional therapists. The 2026-2027 online cohort begins in September.

Tuition is $4,000.

Acceptance to the Fellows Program is considered on a first come, first served rolling basis. We consider applications only after we receive your application and a recommendation from a lead pastor or ministry leader. 

Note: This program is not intended for professional counselors.

If you have questions, email
rcs.training@redeemer.com.

“As a pastor, as a friend, and as a husband, the Fellows Program has given me tools, equipping, and resources in the counseling world. With all the needs that come up from our church, our members, and our own relationships, it is vital to have these tools.”

— Charles “Cheech” Chung, Former Fellow

Apply

6:30 - 9:15 p.m. EST
Two Thursdays a month via Zoom

*Only applicable for participants living in the US

  • September 8 & 22

  • October 6 & 20

  • November 3 & 17

  • December 1 & 15

  • January 5 & 19

  • February 2 & 16

  • March 2 & 16

  • April 6 & 20

  • May 4 & 18

Dates

Read about the Fellows Program in the Gospel in Life article,
 “Building Communities that Care for the Broken Well.”

The Fellows Program

The Fellows Program started in 2018 and grew out of New York City pastors' need for more in-depth counseling training to meet the pastoral care demands of the church. The program has become more valuable over time, as pastors and leaders recognized the greater mental health needs of their congregations.

The Fellows Program areas of focus are based on best practices from Redeemer Counseling's 35 years of counseling ministry along with interviews with pastors. The Fellows Program includes those in ministry and leadership who counsel others regularly.

Fellows Program Expectations

  • Before you proceed with the application process, please review the expectations below to determine whether the program is right for you.

    You will commit to the full 9-month Fellows Program and will attend each of the 2 hour and 45 minute sessions in their entirety. Regular attendance impacts the dynamics of the cohort and is essential to learning the counseling theories and skills that build on each other. More than two absences from these sessions may be grounds for dismissal. Please plan ahead to avoid conflicts with the dates of sessions.

    You will complete all of the assigned reading and videos before arriving at each session.

    You will write a short reflection/application paper after each session.

    You will be required to complete three projects by the end of the Fellows Program. This portion of the program will require each fellow to do deep personal and emotional processing and practice the skills you are learning.

  • Application: Complete the Fellows Program in-person or online application to tell us more about your background and the counseling needs you face. If you qualify, admission is rolling on a first come, first served basis. The application will close on June 30, 2025.

    Recommendation: Have a current lead pastor or ministry leader submit a recommendation for you. We consider admitting an applicant after we receive the recommendation.

    We ask for the recommendation because the Fellows Program intends to impact local ministries and churches, not just one student.

    The recommendation serves the following:

    1) Ensure the applicant is a good candidate for the Fellows Program.

    2) Ensure the applicant receives support from the governing body of the church or ministry to enhance the Fellows Program experience.

    Acceptance: After the application and recommendation are received, our Fellows Program team will communicate the admission decision and next steps.

    Payment: The cost of the program is $3,750. To hold your spot, you must submit the non-refundable $500 deposit upon acceptance. The $3,250 balance is due by August 1, 2025.

  • Each Fellows Program cohort will meet twice a month from September to May for 2 hour and 45 minute sessions. Sessions are taught by professional counselors and will include seminars, discussion and skills practice. The sessions will primarily focus on furthering your understanding through the use of exercises, case studies, and discussions based on pre-class reading and videos.

  • Online preparation such as reading, videos, and Bible studies, as well as a short reflection paper are required for each session.

    Expect 3-4 hours per session including pre-class and post-class work.

  • The Fellows Program requires the following projects:

    1) A self-counseling project: engage in deep personal and emotional processing for deeper self-reflection, understanding, and growth

    2) Counseling practice: provide pastoral or lay counseling throughout the program and complete a case study

    3) Final group presentation: demonstrate one of the counseling skills learned during the program

Return to Application

If you have questions, email
rcs.training@redeemer.com.