What is available?
While ministry can be immensely rewarding it also exposes those involved to the distress of other people’s lives, the tensions and conflicts which may arise in parish life, and the pressures of living 'on the job.' Having additional support available can make a huge difference, particularly in times of stress. The Counselling Service aims to provide an accessible, professional and flexible service. The Diocese has committed to funding both the initial assessment and enough sessions for the vast majority of people to achieve a positive outcome.
Clergy, their partners/families, and Diocesan employees may, like anyone else, face relationship problems, bereavement, stress, anxiety, depression, illness or other challenging life events. The pressures of parish life or relationships within the parish/church/diocesan community can be the source of stress and finding confidential support can be hard for those in, or associated with, public ministry. Age and experience are not necessarily a protection from feelings of loneliness or isolation and those whose role is to care for others may find it particularly difficult to ask for help. Counselling is not just for a crisis, it may also be useful in talking through a dilemma or situation that is causing stress.
Who is eligible?
Counselling is available to licensed clergy and their immediate family (spouse or children under 18 including dependent children with a home address of the parsonage house who are at university), and to DBF employees. Others associated with the diocese may be referred to the counselling team by the Bishops or Archdeacons through the Archdeacon Pastor.
DBF employees will be referred on the approval of the Diocesan Secretary.
People directly involved in a safeguarding enquiry will be referred by the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
For more information please see this leaflet.
Personal Counselling for DBF Employees
Counselling for DBF employees may be offered if there are personal problems which are affecting their ability to carry out their role effectively and need advice or support. DBF employees should refer to the Staff Handbook or speak to their line manager or the Director of Operations for further information.
For more information please see this leaflet.
How do I access it?
Licensed clergy and their immediate families can make contact directly with the Diocesan Counsellor, Maria Laxton. For DBF staff, if approved, HR will make a referral to Maria.
Referrals for those directly involved in a safeguarding enquiry will be made by the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
Third-party referrals may be made on your behalf (for example by HR, Safeguarding or the Bishops or Archdeacons). No information will be passed back to the referrer without the client's written agreement.
Whom do I contact for more information?
Maria Laxton can be contacted by phone, on 07854 813242, or by email, at maria.laxton@hotmail.co.uk. Please supply a telephone number if you are contacting by email.
The Manna House Trust
Alternatively, the Manna House Trust provide services through trained and registered counsellors supported by volunteers and a small core administration team, based at the University of Northampton Innovation Centre in central Northampton. They offer:
- A well-respected counselling service, served by experienced and registered counsellors.
- CPCAB accredited training courses to potential counsellors and pastoral carers.
- Health and Wellbeing training, resources and support through the Wellbeing Education Network, Action for Happiness, MIND, and other mental health partners.
They provide care to people with problems which might include a troubled marriage, a crisis - such as bereavement or redundancy - depression or suicidal feelings, emotional trauma, anxiety, relationship breakdown, eating disorders, abuse, or a personal spiritual problem. With the generous support of the Henry Smith Foundation, they are now able to offer Church of England Clergy up to 12 free counselling sessions, as well as free training in Christian Counselling, and various wellbeing workshops run throughout the year. These can be provided either in-person (Northampton, Daventry, Market Harborough, Wellingborough, Huntingdon offices) or remotely via Teams/Zoom.
People can be referred or self-refer using this link or via their website. There is a £20 fee required with the application form. However, all counselling sessions for clergy are thereafter free of charge. Once they have received the application form and fee, they will be in contact within 2 - 4 weeks to arrange an initial consultation with one of their counsellors, who will discuss whether they are able to help.
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