Gain clinical training and biblical insight for counseling
You can learn to apply clinical training and biblical insight to the counseling field with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Moody Theological Seminary. You’ll be equipped to be a servant leader who can help transform your community and integrate faith into your work. Learn from professors with years of experience who will invest in your life and partner with you.
The graduating class of 2017 has 100% job placement and a 100% pass rate on the National Counselor Examination. You’ll graduate equipped and ready to meet others where they are while you reflect the character of Christ.
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Learning Venues and Program Plan
Take classes when—and how—it’s most convenient for you, with two flexible options:
- Come on campus to Chicago or Michigan, where you’ll study in a classroom setting. At the Chicago campus, you can also get practical experience in the MTS Counseling Center.
- Courses are conducted in live virtual and in person formats.
- All first year courses can be taken live virtual with the exclusion of Counseling Techniques (CMHC 5514).
- Bible and Theology courses can be taken online, on campus, or in a modular format.
Program Plan Course Syllabi
Faculty
Learn from experienced faculty mentors like Dr. Deborah Gorton, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program head. Study under Dr. Valencia Wiggins, a Licensed Professional Counselor with years of counseling experience.
Dr. Deborah Gorton
Dr. Deborah Gorton
MA in Clinical Psychology and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary and Graduate School, Pasadena, CA.
Dr. Gorton holds an MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Gorton’s clinical experience includes working in community mental health, non-profit mental health advocacy, and private practice. Her clinical interest include the integration of theology, faith, and spiritual practices and mental health, wholistic mental health and well-being, community mental health, and trauma-informed mental health care. Dr. Gorton is certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and has extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). In addition to serving as the Field Chair and Program Head for Counseling, Dr. Gorton teaches Professional Identity and Ethical Practice, Integration of Counseling and Spiritual Disciplines, Counseling Techniques, Thesis, and the Practicum/Internship courses.
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Dr. Valencia Wiggins
Dr. Valencia Wiggins
Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Training Director. B.A., Wheaton College; M.A., Wheaton Graduate School; Ph.D., Walden University, Licensed Professional Counselor.
Dr. Valencia Wiggins earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and clinical psychology from Wheaton College and Wheaton Graduate School. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Walden University. Dr. Wiggin’s clinical interests include sexual abuse, trauma, grief, loss, eating disorders, family issues, depression, adolescents, and women’s issues. Dr. Wiggins teaches psychopathology, group counseling, diversity, and multicultural issues, disaster mental health, theoretical foundations of trauma-informed counseling, and other courses as assigned.
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Dr. Oksoon Cho
Dr. Oksoon Cho
Assistant professor counseling. B.A., Daegu Catholic University; M.A., Daegu Catholic University; Ph.D. (ABD), Kyungpook National University; Ph.D., Northern Illinois University- DeKalb; Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor.
Dr. Oksoon Cho earned her master’s degree in child science at Daegu Catholic University and doctorate in counselor education and supervision at Northern Illinois University – DeKalb. Also, she finished her doctoral program in child and family counseling at Kyungpook National University in South Korea. Dr. Cho’s clinical experience includes working in hospital settings, community mental health agencies, and private practice. Her clinical interests include Multicultural Counseling, Couple and Family Counseling, and Mood and Anxiety Disorder. Additional areas of interest include play therapy and creative/expressive art supervision. Dr. Cho teaches Substance Abuse and Addictive Behaviors, Theories of Counseling, Research, Statistical Methods, and Program Evaluation, and Career Counseling.
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Elom Togbi-Wonyo
Elom Togbi-Wonyo
Professor of counseling; B.A., Moody Bible Institute; M.A., Trinity International University; Ph.D. candidate, Walden University; Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC); Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and anger management specialist.
Mr. Togbi-Wonyo earned his master’s degree in counseling from Trinity International University and a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education & Supervision from Walden University. Mr. Togbi-Wonyo is a professor in the Counseling program at the Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago. He teaches courses that include Human Development, Marriage & Family Dynamics, Counseling Techniques, Assessment in Counseling, and Clinical Practicum. His clinical and professional interests include supporting growth in others, clinical supervision, identity development, counselor professional development, and mental health challenges in Evangelical Christian families and faith communities.
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Dr. Elizabeth Skjoldal
Dr. Elizabeth Skjoldal
Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Moody Theological Seminary; BS in Psychology Florida Southern College; MSED in Community Mental Health Counseling University of Miami; PhD University of Miami in Counseling Psychology. Licensed Psychologist State of Florida since 1993 and Supervisor of Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns State of Florida.
Dr. Elizabeth Skjoldal earned her Master’s in Community Mental health Counseling at the University of Miami and her PhD at the University of Miami in Counseling Psychology where she was involved in early research of sexual abuse, trauma and behavioral medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. She comes to Moody after being has been a professor of Mental Health Counseling at Trinity International University- Florida campus since 1994.
Her areas of clinical interest include trauma, behavioral medicine and the provision of counseling in both English and Spanish. To adults. As a licensed psychologist in Florida since 1993 she has developed numerous Christian counseling centers and provided supervision for Registered Mental Health Interns in (in both English and Spanish). Dr Skjoldal’s research interest includes multi-cultural counseling specifically, cultural humility and the provision of counseling to underserved populations. Dr Skjoldal teaches Group Counseling, Psychopathology, Professional Identity and Trauma assessment and Treatment.
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Dr. John Restum
Dr. John Restum
Professor of Psychology, Counseling Clinic Director. BS Western Michigan University; ThB William Tyndale College; ThM Dallas Theological Seminary: MA/PsyD George Fox University. State of Michigan Full Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
John M. Restum, Psy.D., L.P., serves on the Moody Theological Seminary faculty as a Professor of Psychology. He teaches full time within the Master of Arts Counseling Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling academic degree programs. He also serves as director of the MTS-Michigan campus based InterSessions Counseling Center. Dr. Restum’s academic interests are associated with the disciplinary integration of psychology, philosophy, and theology. Dr. Restum recently retired from Wayne County government as the Director of the Wayne County Jail Mental Health Department.
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Student Experience
As you study, you’ll:
- Learn the foundation of clinical mental health counseling skills and knowledge
- Practice the key dispositions necessary to be an excellent servant leader in the field
- Integrate your faith and the practice of spiritual disciplines as you counsel others
- Study historical and contemporary trends in mental health practice to navigate diversity in the field
- Apply biblical wellness-based strategies to initiate growth and transformation
- Prepare to navigate a variety of post-graduate environments with insight, integrity, and humility
Program Highlights
Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
NCE Pass Rates
94% pass rate in the last 6 years
Job Placement Rates
99% job placement rate
Graduates in the Past Academic Year
10 Graduates in Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
Completion Rates
[Rates Here]
Alumni Testimonials
“The program is everything I dreamed of. I had a very positive experience. Can't wait to become an LCPC.” – 2018 Graduate
“Was the best decision I made to continue my education in this program. Learning from these professors and practitioners was invaluable.” – 2019 Graduate
“I thought it was an eventful time where I learned a lot about both the counseling field and myself. The overall experience left me feeling equipped and prepared for the real world.” – 2021 Graduate
After You Graduate
You’ll graduate from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program ready to counsel with humility, compassion, and faithfulness, serving God wherever you go. You’ll be equipped to counsel in a wide variety of circumstances.
Alumni from the program are serving around the world in mental health agencies, hospitals, missions organizations, faith-based and university counseling centers, and many other places where God has led them.
Eligibility for Licensure (LPC)
The Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Moody Bible Institute is designed to meet the licensure standards set by the state of Illinois for a Licensed Professional Counselor. Moody Bible Institute cannot determine whether a particular licensure program meets the requirements outside of Illinois. Students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to determine specific requirements or guidelines for reciprocity.
Financial Aid
A Moody seminary education is easier than ever to afford at $495 per credit hour (price subject to change per academic year). Our scholarships and payment plans help you even more by defraying the cost of tuition and spreading out your financial obligations over time. You may also qualify for a Federal Loan.
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Admissions Requirements
In addition to the regular MTS admission requirements, CMHC applicants are required to complete a group interview with CMHC faculty.
Interview Dates:
- 02/23/2023
- 04/20/2023
- 06/22/2023
Video conference options will be available for the interview dates. Read more about the admissions requirements here.
New Student Orientation dates: TBD.
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