Counselling is a relationship that is most healing when trust and confidentiality are established between the two parties. The role of the counsellor is to create that “safe space” where you feel able to identify, explore and confront problems and work toward resolving them.
The Newcastle Diocese Counselling Service is a private and confidential service. This means that we do not disclose to anyone that you have chosen to work with a counsellor, and the content of your counselling sessions is confidential.
There are, however, some circumstances when your counsellor may be required to break confidentiality: if your counsellor considers that you or someone else is in danger of harm or if required to do so by a court of law.
Who can use the service?
The Counselling Service is a fully funded service for clergy, readers, and licensed lay leaders in the Diocese who hold:
- the Bishop’s Licence; or
- Permission to Officiate.
The service also offers funded counselling of up to eight sessions to licensed clergy dependents over the age of 18 years. Clients are asked to fund any additional sessions.
Alternative provision may be available to employees of the Diocesan Board of Finance and details of this can be obtained from the Director of Mission and Ministry.
What does the service offer?
The Counselling Service is a self-referral service. You can ask for help at any time without having to refer to anyone else.
You can self-refer for any issue or problem that you are coping with, regardless of its origin and whether related to what is happening or has happened in your work, or not. The service works with those coping with a range of problems, some personal and some spiritual, that often feel familiar as:
- anxiety
- depression
- low self-esteem or low self-confidence
- self-doubt
- bereavement or grief
- difficult relationships - either personal or working relationships
And much more besides. Your circumstances and your responses to those circumstances are as unique as you.
How quickly can I get help?
If you would like to find out more about the service or the counselling we offer, or to arrange to receive counselling, please contact Simon Rose at counselling@newcastle.anglican.org. An enquiry is treated confidentially and making an enquiry does not commit you to continue.
We will arrange to speak to you at a time convenient for you. The initial conversation lasts around 30 minutes, giving you the opportunity to share what is happening and ask any questions.
The most important aspect of successful counselling is the relationship between you and your counsellor – we endeavour to get that right.
Most problems build up over time and the knowledge that you can get help soon is often enough to help ease your concern.
What else should I know?
If you wish to pursue counselling through another route, then these links may be useful:
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) website here
- United Kingdom Councill for Psychotherapy (UKCP) website here
- Association of Christian Counsellors here
- Counselling Directory here
- Wellbeing support and resources