Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC) Training

Relational Connection & Practical Disciple-Making

One of the main things we do at TAC is commission those who are called by God to biblically counsel people struggling with addiction.

This process is more than just taking some training courses. While sound theology is the foundation, our 100% virtual commissioning process is relational and practical: preparing you for real ministry to those enslaved to addiction.

This process has eight steps, and you can begin working on the first four without any commitment.

Commissioning Process Overview

Step 1: Read Six Books

The Heart of Addiction by Mark Shaw
Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart by Mark Shaw
The Useful Lie by Playfair and Bryson.
The Sober Truth by Dodes
Relapse: Biblical Prevention Strategies by Mark Shaw
You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions by Tim Chester

For further study, read the following (optional)

Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Love by Nicolas Ellen
The Chemical Imbalance Delusion by Daniel Berger II

Step 2: Complete Online Course

Fundamentals of Addiction Biblical Counseling Training (15 Audio Lessons – $97)

Step 3: Listen to Podcast Series & Submit Online Assignment

Sign up for this FREE COURSE to listen to The Addiction Connection’s 12-Steps Podcast Series (Podcasts #29-42) that Biblically critique the 12 Steps of AA.

Closely follow the instructions in the course and answer all the questions within the Study Guide for each podcast. You will be required to submit your study guide at the end of the course.

Step 4: Fill Out Applications A & B

Application A: Submit the free online application found near the bottom of this page.
Application B: DOWNLOAD HERE, fill in your answers, and email it to lisa@theaddictionconnection.org.

Step 5: Interview

After the previous steps are complete, our Commissioning Coordinator, Lisa Underwood, will reach out to schedule a brief phone interview with you.

*Pro tip: download the document on Step 7 and start working ahead!

Step 6: Supplemental Work

Complete any supplemental training as assigned by TAC Team and sent to you through your interviewer. This may include reading additional books or completing other assignments to enhance your theology, counseling understanding, or skills.

Step 7: Weekly Connection with Team

Our Commissioning Coordinator will pair you with a two-person disciple-making team for a weekly relational dialogue as you work through the 40 Questions together with your assigned team. We recommend you prepare your answers ahead of time by Downloading “40 Questions” here!

In your responses, be sure to utilize Scripture to support your answers. It’s never too early to work ahead on this!

Step 8: Final Evaluation Case Study

In this final step, you’ll meet with a new disciple-making team for a one-time meeting discussing a Case Study where you’ll apply what you’ve learned to a counseling situation. When the time comes, our Commissioning Coordinator will communicate with you to schedule this meeting.

Once complete, you are now a Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselor (CABC). Our Commissioning Coordinator will send you information regarding how to record and submit a CABC video. Once your video is received, your name and contact link will be listed among other Comissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors (CABCs). Then, you will be recognized and receive a certificate of completion at The Addiction Connection Leadership Summit or it will be mailed to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the wonderful perks of being part of the TAC family is that you have a host of godly men and women with varied experiences in dealing with addiction issues that you can ask questions of and seek help from.

Once you receive your CABC with us, you will be added to TAC’s Facebook page: TAC Team. This is a great way to pose questions and get help.

Also, we hold annual TAC Leadership Summits, as well as national, international, and regional trainings. Watch our website and social media for information as it is available. If it is at all possible, we recommend you attend the Summits and any trainings your schedule allows. You will meet TAC folks face-to-face, in addition to being encouraged and equipped to minister more effectively.

Furthermore, as a CABC, you’ll have the opportunity to disciple others if you choose to become a volunteer Commissioner with us. This is a great way to make lifelong connections in our small community of addictions biblical counselors while growing in your walk with Christ.

You can expect the entire process, not including prerequisite or supplemental training, to take around 1-2 months. Time for completion depends primarily on you.

The process may also take longer because this isn’t just about the commissioning candidate answering questions. It is about walking alongside the candidate to ensure he or she understands not only what biblical addiction counseling is, but how to help those struggling with addiction to apply the Word to their addiction and their lives in general. At times, when a commissioning candidate is weak on a particular issue, the disciple-making team may assign additional homework on a specific subject and teach on that subject. For instance, if someone doesn’t really have a firm understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in biblical addiction counseling, the disciple-making team will assign reading and assignments and teach on the work of the Holy Spirit.

$635.00, which does not include the separate cost of the online course: Fundamentals of Addiction Biblical Counseling ($97.00)

No, you do not. However, we do ask that you submit at least one partial payment before advancement to the Final Evaluation stage of Commissioning.

You may pay by installments (or all at once) at this link.

There is no deadline for completion. The process will have inevitable breaks, and this is to be expected. 1-2 months is an estimation based on meeting weekly and covering 5-6 questions (from the 40 Questions) per week.

The process may also take longer because this isn’t just about the Commissioning Candidate answering questions. It is about walking alongside the candidate to ensure he or she understands not only what biblical addiction counseling is, but how to help those struggling with addiction to apply the Word to their addiction and their lives in general.

At times, when a commissioning candidate is weak on a particular issue, the disciple-making team may assign additional homework on a specific subject and teach on that subject. For instance, if someone doesn’t really have a firm understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in biblical addiction counseling, the disciple-making team will assign reading and assignments and teach on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Yes! We individualize the Commissioning Process for those who have completed prior training or have extensive experience in biblical addiction counseling.

To get started, please fill out Application A (the online form) found on this page. Let us know somewhere in the application that you are ACBC certified or IABC certified, or any other training you’ve received

We cannot make any guarantees. This process demonstrates your seriousness and willingness to learn. This training equips you with the necessary skills to counsel an addict using the Bible while relying upon Holy Spirit.

No, but you will receive a very nice certificate upon completion of CABC; however, we call this process commissioning for two reasons. First, we want to avoid confusion with any official secular and governmental designations that use the word certification. Second, we want to be thoroughly biblical and believe that the term commissioning better embodies what we do.

As a small part of the Body of Christ, The Addiction Connection does not believe that we have the absolute authority to entrust a ministry charge or illicit a commitment to ministry. Rather, we believe these are functions of our Lord Jesus. When we commission someone as an addictions Biblical counselor, we are simply agreeing with Christ’s call and work in his or her life. Christ entrusts us as His people to carry on His work until He returns.

If you just break the word down, you get co-missioning, as in we are on mission together. That is exactly what we are to be about. Jesus has commissioned us to be about His mission together—making disciples of all people, including those who have been enslaved by addictive behavior. Being a commissioned counselor with the Addiction Connection means being a part of a disciple-making team, so you will never be alone in the work!

We love this idea.

Keep in mind that Commissioning is an individualized and personalized process, meaning each person will:

Submit his/her own applications
Complete all pre-requisites independently
Learn at his/her own pace
Progress through the stages independently of one another
Display interest and ownership of his/her own CABC process

For this idea to be successful, we would recommend that you first complete the Commissioning Process yourself. After your completion, we can discuss options to help your whole staff (or group) be Commissioned.

Email info@theaddictionconnection.org to request more information about our married-couple discount or group rate.

Email lisa@theaddictionconnnection.org or info@theaddictionconnection.org

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CATEGORY	COMMISSIONING FEES
Application A (online)	No Cost
Application B (download, complete, and email to us)	No Cost
Required Reading and Online Course	Candidate’s responsibility
Initial Interview	$50.00
Disciple-Making Written/Oral Exam (process) with Commissioning Team	$425.00
Final Evaluation	$125.00
1^st Year Membership	$35.00
TOTAL	$635.00