Certified Practitioners are highly trained individuals who share the Immanuel Approach with people seeking emotional healing, often in a professional or ministerial capacity.

You might consider becoming a Certified Practitioner if you are a counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, pastor, prayer minister, or lay leader. You might also become a Certified Practitioner simply because you would like to skillfully care for those affected by pain and trauma.

Many Certified Practitioners use the Immanuel Approach exclusively, while others offer it alongside other modalities (such as talk therapy). However, all Certified Practitioners are trained to maintain integrity to the model as designed by Dr. Karl Lehman and Dr. Jim Wilder.

If you are unsure whether becoming a Certified Practitioner is right for you, please reach out for a conversation. We will be glad to help with your discernment process, and we are always happy to hear about new frontiers for the Immanuel Approach!

The process to become a Certified Practitioner involves significant commitment, mentorship, and supervision.

To become a Certified Practitioner of the Immanuel Approach, you'll begin with Level I: The Immanuel Approach for Life. After the initial course, you'll be eligible to apply to the Level II comprehensive cohort program: The Immanuel Approach for Emotional Healing. While you wait for your Level II course to begin, you will complete Understanding Trauma (included with Level II tuition).

The Level II Cohort involves two semesters of direct instruction with Practicum experience throughout. Students who choose to pursue designation as Certified Practitioners must show 80% or greater attendance and coursework completion.

In their final semester, Certified Practitioner candidates participate in advanced coaching tracks, receive feedback during observations, and demonstrate understanding to earn certification. They also facilitate a number of sessions outside of class and continue to engage with the Immanuel Approach as a recipient.

*If you are an Immanuel Institute graduate ready to apply for certification, you may complete your application here.

Certified Practitioners are fluent in the Immanuel Approach, having built their confidence with a wide variety of advanced topics and scenarios. They use attunement and appreciation to create a safe setting to connect with Jesus, and they gladly make space for strong emotions.

Because they have received hands-on mentorship in trauma-informed care, Certified Practitioners are skilled in navigating unexpected challenges caused by pain, trauma, and low capacity. They can help when clients lose connection with Jesus, perceive a false representation of Jesus, or encounter unhealed parts of the self.

While Certified Practitioners are well-prepared for advanced topics, they are also experts in the foundational tools: building trust with Jesus, listening to his voice, and enjoying his presence.

Of course! Level II is designed to equip Facilitators and Certified Practitioners to connect others to Jesus in the midst of pain and trauma. Not all who minister to pain and trauma desire certification.

Certification from the Immanuel Institute is a sign of trust, indicating that the Practitioner has undergone rigorous training, demonstrated advanced skill, and committed to practice the Immanuel Approach with integrity. Certified Practitioners also have the privilege of being listed in the Immanuel Institute Directory of Certified Practitioners.

Students are welcome to apply to Level II with or without the intention to become Certified Practitioners. As long as they've actively engaged with first semester coursework, students will have the opportunity to opt into advanced coaching and the certification process in the second semester.