Redeemer Counseling Fellows Program
NYC or Online

Registration for the 2025-26 Fellows Program opens in winter 2025. Please fill out the interest form and we will reach out when it is time to apply

Application process opens in winter 2025

The Redeemer Counseling Fellows Program is a 9-month intensive mental health and counseling skill training program for pastors and ministry leaders. Classes are taught by our Gospel-centered professional therapists. The 2024-2025 Fellows Program in-person and online cohorts begin in September.

Tuition is $3,500.

Acceptance to the Fellows Program is considered on a first come, first served rolling basis after we receive your application and 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, 2023 Fellow

Apply

NYC Dates

6:30 - 9 p.m. EST
Two Tuesdays a month in Manhattan
Trinity Baptist Church
250 E 61st Street
New York, NY 10065

  • September 10 & 24

  • October 8 & 22

  • November 5 & 19 (5th is Election Day)

  • December 3 & 17

  • January 14 & 28

  • February 11 & 25

  • March 11 & 25

  • April 8 & 22

  • May 6 & 20

Online Dates

7:00 - 9:30 p.m. EST
Two Thursdays a month via Zoom
*Please only apply if you
currently reside in the U.S.
outside of New York City.

  • September 12 & 26

  • October 10 & 24

  • November 7 & 21

  • December 5 & 19

  • January 16 & 30

  • February 13 & 27

  • March 13 & 27

  • April 10 & 24

  • May 8 & 22

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 34 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 2.5 hour 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, 2024.

    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 $3,500. To hold your spot, you must submit the non-refundable $500 deposit upon acceptance. The $3,000 balance is due by August 1, 2024.

  • Each Fellows Program cohort will meet twice a month from September to May for 2.5 hour 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

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