Now CACREP-Accredited

M.A. Counseling

We are pleased to announce that the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has granted accreditation to our Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health program.

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Townsend Institute for Leadership & Counseling at Concordia University Irvine

Townsend Institute

for Leadership and Counseling
at Concordia University Irvine

Competence & Character

We’re so glad you’ve stopped by to learn more about the Townsend Institute for Leadership & Counseling at Concordia University Irvine. What makes our Institute unique? I will personally instruct you through a 4-day Kick-off Conference, along with monthly sessions in our virtual classroom. With academic programs spanning from bachelor's degrees in Leadership Studies and Organizational Psychology to master's degrees in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health, Executive Coaching and Consultation, and Organizational Leadership, along with our certificate programs in Executive Coaching, Helping Professions, and Organizational Leadership, all of our curriculum is based on the latest neuroscience, high performance and attachment research, and biblically-based content from my books, writings, and teachings. They’re founded on two principles: your Competence - increasing your skills, strengths and expertise; and your Character - those internal abilities that you'll need to excel at work and in relationships. The Competence & Character model equips you with the ability to optimize your competencies and character along with those you lead and help. We invite you to consider how this program could transform your life & work.

Dr. John Townsend on the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine

Dr. John Townsend

New York Times bestselling author, leadership consultant, psychologist and relationship expert

CACREP logo

M.A. Counseling Earns CACREP Accreditation

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national association that accredits master’s and doctoral degree counseling programs offered by colleges and universities, has granted accreditation to our Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health program at Concordia University Irvine in partnership with the Townsend Institute. The voluntary accreditation assures that graduates have met the majority of the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a counselor in most states. After a multi-stage external review process, our M.A. Counseling: Clinical Mental Health program, as well as its curriculum and faculty, were found to have substantially met the critical quality-related program requirements for accredited status.

CACREP accreditation assures our students that their degree in counseling is from an institution that has voluntarily met the standards set by the profession.

Dean Mike Shurance
School of Professional Studies

Learn more about our M.A. Counseling: Clinical Mental Health »

Dr. John Townsend

About Dr. John Townsend

Dr. John Townsend is a New York Times bestselling author, leadership consultant, psychologist and relationship expert. He has written 30 books, selling 10 million copies, including the bestselling Boundaries series and The Entitlement Cure, an ECPA 2015 Book of the Year finalist. John founded a healthcare company which operated for 10 years in 35 cities. During that period, Dr. Townsend learned and produced the principles and strategies for success and change that he now uses in his writing, teaching, speaking, and consulting. Dr. Townsend holds a BA in psychology from North Carolina State University, a Masters in Theology from Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Biola University. John and his wife Barbi have two sons, Ricky and Benny. Townsend’s hobbies include scuba diving, discovering great restaurants, and playing in a band that performs at pubs and eateries in Southern California. Read more about Dr. Townsend's journey with the Townsend Institute »

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Institute Fellows

When you make a choice to invest in your future by continuing your education, you want to be sure your time is well spent. That’s where the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine offers a distinct advantage. In addition to top-tier faculty, Dr. Townsend has assembled a world-class team of influencers, the Institute Fellows - author-teachers and practitioners with broad platforms who are widely recognized. John wants his students to have personal access to New York Times bestselling authors and thought leaders, heads of great organizations, leaders of leaders, and top researchers and clinicians. You will connect to these top thinkers and practitioners in the monthly virtual symposia.

Ken Blanchard

Ken Blanchard

One Minute Manager
John & Julie Gottman

John & Julie Gottman, Ph.D.

7 Principles for Making Marriage Work
Les & Leslie Parrott

Les & Leslie Parrott, Ph.D.

Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts
Sue Johnson

Sue Johnson, Ph.D.

The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
George Barna

George Barna

Master Leaders
Meet the Full Team

Begin with Boundaries

Dr. John Townsend speaking in front of an audience

Beyond Boundaries Webcast

We were designed for relationship. “God designed you to be vulnerable, and to be intimate, and to take risks, and there are no great relationships without risks." Dr. John Townsend, offers a simple path to regain the intimacy and fulfilling closeness that every person needs. Watch Video

Boundaries book cover design

Boundaries Books

Described as a “game-changing book to read before you’re 30,” Dr. John Townsend has written or co-written 30 books, selling 10 million copies, including the Boundaries series; Leadership Beyond Reason; and his newest book, The Entitlement Cure. Read More

New Life Live hosts

New Life Live

For more than twenty years Dr. Townsend has engaged with leaders, organizations and individuals as co-host of the nationally-syndicated talk show “New Life Live,” heard in 180 markets by more than 3 million people, offering life-changing solutions to common challenges. Listen Now

Competence and Character in Leadership

Read Blog

Becoming a Leader Others Want to Follow

Read Blog

What Do You Mean by Boundaries?

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Your Next Hard Thing

Read Blog

Info Night

Live Stream Session with Dr. John Townsend

Missed the last Info Night? Watch the full recording of our Live Session.

Next Online Session: Tuesday, April 14, 2020. 6:00-7:30pm PST
Prospective student attending an info night

Join us for this online Information Night where you will hear first-hand from Dr. John Townsend and begin to understand the uniqueness of the Townsend Institute's approach to leadership, counseling, coaching, and the learning process. You will get a glimpse of how these programs are highly relational, biblically-informed, neuroscience-based, practical skills-oriented, and lead to transformative personal growth.

You will also hear about our distinctive 4-day Kick-off Conference, what classes are like, how you meet over 50 Institute Fellows, and how the 300 videos from Dr. Townsend are integrated into every class. A live Q&A session is included!

As an added bonus, the $50 application fee will be waived for all who attend the Info Night.

Register Now

For help registering for this event, please contact Sarah Martini at gradadmissionsevents@cui.edu or call 714-795-0124.

Get Started Today

Have questions about Concordia University's Townsend Institute? Not sure how to get started? Fill out the form below, and one of our admissions counselors will get in touch with you.

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