GCC Advanced Coaching – ABC Level 2

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Gospel Care Canada offers two distinct pathways to ABC Level 2 Certification: GCC One-on-One Advanced Coaching and GCC Cohort Advanced Coaching. Both are two-year online programs for students who have completed ABC Level 1 Certification and are ready to move from foundational knowledge into the practice and experience of biblical counselling. Level 2 is where formation deepens: students counsel real people, develop advanced skills, and grow in the practical wisdom that comes only through guided experience under qualified supervision.

GCC designs its Level 2 programs to do more than satisfy certification requirements. The goal is to form counsellors who are theologically grounded, practically skilled, and personally supported throughout two years of supervised counselling ministry. The sections below describe what Level 2 requires, how GCC delivers it, and which pathway fits where you are and how you develop best. Gospel Care Canada is a Training Centre in partnership with the Association of Biblical Counselors.

ABC LEVEL 2: THE EXPERIENCE

Where Level 1 is ABC’s knowledge certification, Level 2 is the experience certification. The focus shifts from learning about biblical counselling to practising it, with real counsellees, across a structured three-phase framework, under the active oversight of an ABC-approved Training Leader who can observe the student’s counselling ministry and provide the feedback needed for growth and certification.

ABC Level 2 follows three phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are completed in Year 1, building from observation and initial counselling practice into a more sustained and self-directed counselling engagement. Phase 3 is completed in Year 2, consolidating the developing counsellor’s practice and preparing them for certification.

Across all three phases, the objectives are consistent:

• Develop practical skills in listening, case conceptualization, and the gospel-grounded application of Scripture to specific people and situations
• Grow in Christian maturity as ministers of God’s word
• Learn to respond patiently in difficult conversations
• Depend on the Holy Spirit throughout the counselling process

Students who come to Level 2 having completed GCC Advanced Cohort Training ABC Level 1 will find that their earlier formation provides a strong foundation for the supervised practice that ABC Level 2 requires.

HOW GCC COACHES YOU THROUGH LEVEL 2

GCC’s Level 2 programs give students more than the minimum requirements for certification. Both programs include individual coaching sessions with an experienced supervisor, audio review of recorded counselling sessions, access to pre-recorded observation sessions, and intentional formation in counselling cycle flow, session structure, and case conceptualization. Students also receive curated resource guidance specific to their counselling context and ministry setting, alongside access to Google Classroom as the structured hub for all assignments, audio submissions, and supervisor feedback across both years.

The supervisors who lead GCC’s Level 2 programs bring years of front-line counselling care, training, and church-based ministry leadership to every session. That depth of experience shapes what is covered and how students are formed as counsellors, growing in faithfulness to the people in their care and to the gospel they bring to those people.

PATHWAY 1: ONE-ON-ONE ADVANCED COACHING

GCC One-on-One Advanced Coaching provides ABC Level 2 students with direct, personalized access to Richard Walton as the dedicated supervisor for the full two-year program. Richard Walton serves as the supervisor for every student who enrols, providing consistent, undivided attention across all three phases of certification. Students receive individual coaching sessions, audio review of their counselling sessions, observation sessions, and clinical note-taking guidance in a program structured entirely around their own development, cases, and formation.

This program is well suited to students who want formation in counselling practice that goes beyond satisfying certification requirements. Those who prefer a focused development relationship with a single, dedicated supervisor will find the one-on-one structure a natural fit. Students located anywhere in Canada, the United States, and internationally are welcome, with the full program conducted online.

What Is Included

• 10 Audio Review Hours. Your supervisor listens to your recorded counselling sessions and provides coaching feedback to develop your counselling practice and self-awareness.
• 4 Review Sessions. One-on-one virtual meetings covering ABC Level 2 phase requirements and program milestones.
• 12 Coaching Sessions. Personalized development covering ABC Phases 1 to 3, counselling cycle flow, session structure, case conceptualization, end of care, and biblical counselling best practices.
• 10 Pre-Recorded Observation Sessions. Access to your supervisor’s own counselling recordings to satisfy ABC Phase 1 observation requirements, plus access to ABC Counselling Observation Videos.
• Clinical Note-Taking Guidance. Practical training in professional documentation, session records, and case study reporting that reflects sound biblical counselling practice.
• Google Classroom Access. A structured digital workspace for all assignments, audio submissions, program documents, and supervisor feedback across both years.
• Recommended Resources. Verbal and email guidance identifying resources suited to your specific counselling needs and ministry context.

Download the One-on-One Advanced Coaching program overview for full details on what is included, program investment, supervisor profile, and the steps to enrol.

PATHWAY 2: COHORT ADVANCED COACHING

GCC Cohort Advanced Coaching pairs ABC Level 2 students with an experienced supervisor for individual coaching within a structured learning cohort. Students benefit from both one-on-one coaching and the community of peers working through the same phase of formation at the same time. The program runs through Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Year 1 and Phase 3 in Year 2, conducted fully online through Google Classroom. Richard Walton and Jason Kovacs serve as supervisors, with each student assigned to one supervisor for the duration of the program.

Students who thrive in a structured learning community will find this program well suited to their goals. Those who want individual coaching paired with the accountability and insight of shared case consultation, and those who find that peer community strengthens their formation as a counsellor, will benefit most from what this program offers. GCC runs a maximum of two active cohorts at any time, with limited enrolment per cohort.

What Is Included

• 10 Audio Review Hours. Your supervisor listens to your recorded counselling sessions and provides coaching feedback to develop your counselling practice and self-awareness.
• 4 Individual Coaching Sessions. One-on-one virtual meetings with your assigned supervisor covering ABC Level 2 phase requirements, program milestones, and personalized coaching for your development.
• 1 Orientation and 12 Consultation Group Sessions. A cohort orientation followed by twelve group consultation sessions covering counselling cycle flow, session structure, case conceptualization, end of care, and biblical counselling best practices.
• 10 Pre-Recorded Observation Sessions. Access to recordings from each supervisor to satisfy ABC Phase 1 observation requirements, plus access to ABC Counselling Observation Videos.
• Signal Cohort Group. A dedicated group channel connecting you with your cohort peers and GCC training coordinators via secure private messaging accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer.
• Google Classroom Access. A structured digital workspace for all assignments, audio submissions, program documents, and supervisor feedback across both years.
• Recommended Resources. Verbal guidance identifying resources suited to your counselling needs and ministry context.

Download the Cohort Advanced Coaching program overview for full details on what is included, program investment, supervisor profiles, and the steps to enrol.

GOSPEL CARE COMMUNITY

Gospel Care Community is an optional monthly membership available to all GCC Level 2 students at a 50% discount. For $10 USD per month for the duration of Level 2, members receive monthly teaching, office hours, a bi-monthly book club, and 24/7 peer access among a community of people learning and providing biblical care. Membership extends connection and formation beyond the structured program, serving as a meaningful companion to the work of Level 2.