Clergy Care and Well-being
Sarah Cooke is appointed by the Bishop of Worcester as his Adviser in Pastoral Care and Counselling. (view page of diocesan handbook) Sarah is a Jungian Analyst and psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice and has worked in this field for over twenty years.
She has a long-standing interest and experience in working with clergy both therapeutically and in their professional development. Her primary role as Adviser, working a day a week for the diocese, is to co-ordinate the Diocesan Counselling Service for clergy and others (see below) where they can access high quality professional, confidential counselling.
She also holds a wider brief for the well-being of clergy and is involved in other initiatives which aim to support them in their personal and ministerial development.
Worcester Diocesan Counselling Service
Who is the Counselling Service for?
The counselling service provides emotional and psychological help for clergy, their spouses/partners, their dependent children, full time lay workers, diocesan employees and recommended Ordinands. In exceptional cases others may be eligible; please contact Sarah Cooke, for details.
What is counselling?
Counselling offers a confidential relationship with a qualified and experienced person (who has no other role in a client's life) through which to explore personal issues and values, increase self-awareness, facilitate personal growth and develop new ways of addressing problem areas of life. Some of the kinds of issues which people bring to counselling are:
- anxiety and panic attacks
- depression
- bereavement and loss
- difficulties in relationships, both personal and professional
- sexuality
- the pressure and stresses of ministry
- suicidal thoughts and feelings
- transitional life events or crises
It is important to stress that you do not need to be in crisis to seek or benefit from counselling. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, rather it signifies courage and maturity.
The Counselling Team
The Worcester Diocesan Counselling Service is co-ordinated by Sarah Cooke. In the first instance, she should be contacted and will offer an exploratory consultation to determine whether counselling will be appropriate or whether some other kind of help may be more suitable.
Normally, she would then refer a client to one of a team of counsellors who are geographically spaced around the diocese and who hold a range of expertise between them for work with individuals, couples and families.
Counsellors work on a self-employed basis. They are trained to a minimum of diploma level, are supervised in their work, and hold their own professional indemnity insurance. Every counsellor has an understanding and awareness of the Christian faith, the context in which clergy work and the particular difficulties which can arise from this.
All counsellors subscribe to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics and the Adviser subscribes to the ethical code of the British Psychoanalytic Council.
What does counselling cost?
The counselling service is normally able to offer up to 12 sessions. The first six are free; every client discusses with their counsellor whether they can make a contribution towards the second group of sessions.
Confidentiality
This is crucial to the effectiveness of the counselling relationship. Client identity is known only to the Adviser and the counsellor to whom they are referred. This respects privacy and establishes trust.
It is only in exceptional circumstances that it may be appropriate to break confidentiality if a client is at risk of serious harm to themselves or another; in such rare circumstances the counsellor would still, if at all possible, discuss this with the client.
Personal and Ministerial Development for Clergy
Consultation and Supervision
It is also possible for clergy to access, through the DCS, individual work consultation and supervision which can be extremely valuable in gaining a different perspective on certain areas of work which can feel difficult or challenging in some way. If you are interested in the possibility of some work consultation please contact Sarah.
Reflective Practice Groups
A Balint-style Reflective Practice Group is offered annually to all licensed priests in the Diocese, where up to 8 clergy meet in a confidential and facilitated setting to present work to one another, with a view to increasing and deepening their understanding of both themselves and the dynamics of the particular piece of work or pastoral situation which is challenging them.
We are now advertising for the next group which will run in 2013 and currently taking applications from clergy who are interested in participating in such a group. You can click on the link below to find out more about how the group works, the dates and venue for next year and to download an application form:
Download flyer: Reflective Practice Group for Clergy (PDF)
Other initiatives which support clergy in a variety of ways are also offered from time to time and will be advertised on this page.
A group for gay and lesbian clergy in the West Midlands meets about four times a year in Birmingham. If you are interested in attending, please contact Susannah Izzard on 0121 243 3745 or email
Next meeting: 'Godly promises?' An exploration of civil partnerships in church and gay marriage.
Thursday 23 May 2013, 6pm–7.30pm, Birmingham City Centre (please contact Susannah for details of venue).
For more information contact:
Revd Susannah Izzard 0121 243 3745
Single Clergy in the Diocese of Worcester
Following a study day for single clergy in the Dioceses of Worcester and Birmingham, a small group has met to look at how single clergy can be better supported in their work, in a variety of ways.
A number of ideas are currently being taken forward and if you are interested in joining an e-mailing list so that you can keep in touch with events being planned for single clergy (with no automatic obligation to participate in everything that is offered), please let Sarah Cooke know and she will ensure your details are added to the mailing.
There are two clergy who are willing to act as contacts for the Single Clergy network and who are there to offer both informal support and information about the network's activities. They are Caroline Ralph (0121 681 5446) and Hugh Scriven (0121 249 3431).
Following a study day for single clergy in the Dioceses of Worcester and Birmingham, a small group has met to look at how single clergy can be better supported in their work, in a variety of ways.
A number of ideas are currently being taken forward and if you are interested in joining an e-mailing list so that you can keep in touch with events being planned for single clergy (with no automatic obligation to participate in everything that is offered), please let Sarah Cooke know and she will ensure your details are added to the mailing.
There are two clergy who are willing to act as contacts for the Single Clergy network and who are there to offer both informal support and information about the network's activities. They are Caroline Ralph (0121 681 5446) and Hugh Scriven (0121 249 3431).
To make contact with Sarah Cooke about any of the above, please either ring her on 01386 442253 or email her at
