Well-being in Ministry

07/01/2025

Just updated my ACC find-a-counsellor info:

About me:
I am a husband and father of two grown-up children. I was a missionary to Europe from 1983-2002 and have been in church leadership in Bristol since then. I trained as a counsellor from 2015 and have grown in self-awareness through debriefing, counselling and a focus on well-being.

Brief description:
I specialise in recovery from ministry and work burnout. In a safe and confidential space, in-person or online, you can review your life and ministry experiences and explore the underlying sources of life conflicts and stress. By understanding your story and the factors which are contributing to your emotional pain, healing and personal growth become possible. As your self-awareness increases you will be better equipped to build a personal well-being plan for your future.

Experience:
I have experience of working with a broad range of life problems including, anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship and family issues and recovery from childhood wounds. Work-related issues, life transitions, mid-life crises and the search for meaning and significance are also common among clients. I work in pastoral care with missionaries and ministers, among others.

Other Information:
I take a flexible approach to each client, adopting whatever counselling approach is most suited to their situation. I include elements of psycho-education in the therapy.
Fees are £50 per session, or £250 for 6 sessions. Concessionary rates are available.

Training and Qualifications:
I trained in counselling with Waverley Abbey College (founded by Selwyn Hughes), obtaining a Diploma in Higher Education-Counselling (Dip.H.E.). I am a registered member of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC). I have a Life Coach Certificate and have done training in debriefing and member care.

Email: wellbeinginministry@gmail.com

Website: wellbeinginministry.com

Type of therapy: Integrative, person centred, transactional analysis, internal family systems, CBT, polyvagal theory.

Availability: Tuesday-Wednesday.

Fees: £42-50.

07/01/2025

Just updated my ACC profile.

All ACC counsellors on find a counsellor meet our education and training standards and adhere to our ethics and practice and are on ACC’s accredited register. Some ACC counsellors will choose not to be on ‘find a counsellor’, but all will be on ACC’s register.

07/07/2024

We received this 1991 prayer card from someone who found it in her late grandmother’s Bible. Thank God for those who pray faithfully for missionaries.

29/03/2024

Really enjoying the course in Member Care foundations by Harry Hoffman.

Download your Worksheet for Today.English: http://www.globalmembercare.org/Foundations/Week1%20Day1%20MCFoundations.pdfEspañol / Spanish: http://www.globalme...

21/02/2024

What is meant by “well-being”? The Oxford dictionary defines it as, “the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.” As ministers of the gospel and mission workers we are keen to obey Christ’s command to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. But how does this sit with being comfortable and happy? Are these qualities part of your experience? Do you think they should be? Any mention of “self” may be suspicious for a Christian, so when it comes to self-care, are we fully on board?

In scripture we find a picture of thriving and balanced people, who are looking after their whole being, as a gift from God. The apostle John writes to his friend Gaius, “dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2). This echoes Paul’s prayer for the believers, that their whole spirit, soul and body may be kept complete and blameless (1 Thess. 5:23). Christ promised us an easy and light yoke (Matt. 11:29)

The alternative is be overstretched, exhausted and, eventually, burned out. It happens all the time. Or we just keep our heads above water and find ourselves running on empty. This is where we see that good self-care is not selfish, it’s about being in good shape so that we can bring our best to others and flourish at the same time.

By attending to your own well-being, you are also caring for those to whom you minister.

http://wellbeinginministry.com

13/02/2024

John Doherty
wellbeinginministry.com

30/01/2024

Why Counselling?
There is a new awareness today of issues surrounding mental health and emotional intelligence. We can all struggle at times to recognise our feelings and to respond to them adequately. Life and ministry can throw difficulties in our path which cause stress, anxiety and frustration.

We offer a counselling service, tailored to those in ministry, to help you understand and manage the sources of stress and anxiety and to grow in self-awareness and life balance.

30/01/2024

Well-being is vital, not only for yourself, but also for your family and for those to whom you minister. Jesus took care to ensure his disciples were not overwhelmed by the demands of the ministry. He invited them to, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

We invite you to consider how you can find balance in ministry, look after yourself and not feel guilty about setting boundaries around your times of replenishment. On our website you will find free resources, including an eBook, handy tips and links to guides and articles.

We offer well-being coaching, debriefing and counselling services.