In partnership with the Churches Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS).

Supporting licensed clergy in the Diocese of Derby.

“It was having someone listening to what I was saying without judging me. Listening to my problems and helping me to see them in a different light, that made all the difference”. 

The diocese, in partnership with the CMCS, offers a free counselling service in which up to twelve sessions of counselling are available to all licensed clergy and their partners in the Diocese of Derby, as well as dependent adult members of the household.

All counselling arrangements are fully confidential and anonymous, and those using the service can self-refer without any reference to senior clergy.

The counselling service provides a safe and confidential space to unpack any sort of emotional distress, whether it is from relationships inside or outside of the family or church, or issues related to your working ministry that just aren’t working well.

Counsellors are trained to listen carefully and without any judgment and will help you to find a way through to restore your sense of wellbeing and resilience.

We can help with the following…

• Depression, anxiety, stress
• Low self-esteem/fragile self-worth
• Self-harming and suicidal thoughts
• Couples counselling
• Difficult relationships in the home and/or church community
• Bullying
• Chronic illness. Accidents
• Emotional traumas new or old
• Bereavement, losses, change
• Anger/resentment management
• Social anxiety (feeling anxious in public and social situations)
• Thoughts of giving up the ministry

This not an exhaustive list; we can help with whatever it is you would like to talk about. There are many other challenging issues that clergy and their families have talked about. If you think that your problem is too difficult to talk about, or seems too trivial, please don’t hold back. Your counsellor is experienced and will help you.        

Over the years, many of the clergy and their family members in the diocese have used the clergy counselling service (which includes couples counselling), so please don’t feel that you must soldier on alone, or that you are the only one who cannot manage sometimes. Others have benefited enormously from the private and confidential support that counselling provides.  

FAQ’s:  

What happens in counselling?

Counselling takes place in a professional relationship. The meetings take place in a safe place, with an experienced and qualified counsellor.

Your counsellor will listen to whatever you say with respect and without any judgment. The appointments take place in a private room which may be in the counsellor’s office or home, or you may be offered counselling via Zoom or a similar platform.

With your counsellor’s support, you will develop insights and resources that will enable you to find a new and purposeful direction in your life and ministry.

Whether you feel confused or clear about the cause of your difficulty, your counsellor will help you to make sense of what is happening and will support you to find your own unique way through.

In counselling, you work actively with your counsellor, and while she or he does not advise or direct you, you will be helped to resolve the challenges and will feel supported in any positive changes that you might like to make.

Who are the Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS?)

Mission statement: The Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service exists to provide confidential support to ministers and adults in their immediate household through short-term, professional counselling.

CMCS counsellors are accredited with one of the major national counselling organisations, so they have extensive training and experience and are required to maintain their skills through continuing professional development.

Counsellors are not required to be Christians themselves, but all CMCS counsellors have affirmed that they will support clients who have Christian faith, and not undermine anyone’s faith. 

Is there any cost?

The Diocese of Derby will meet the full cost of any counselling accessed through the CMCS scheme. This free service is available to all licensed clergy and their partners in the Diocese of Derby and dependent adult members of the household.

Confidentiality
Unless you choose to notify the Bishop directly, or through other colleagues, the only people who will know that you are having counselling are the counsellor and the CMCS area co-ordinator. The diocese will not know, nor will the central office of CMCS know your identity. If the Bishop is notified that information will not be held on file.

Your counsellor will keep all you say confidential, except where disclosure is required by law or if you might harm yourself or someone else. Counsellors are required to have supervision for their work but, in that process, clients remain completely anonymous.

Data Protection

CMCS is committed to Data Protection and privacy for clients. To view their Privacy Notice for Clients please go to their website: www.cmincs.net

Who can access counselling? 

This free service is available to all licensed clergy and their partners in the Diocese of Derby and dependent adult members of your household. The Diocese of Derby will meet the full cost of any counselling accessed through the CMCS scheme.

How do I access counselling?

The contact details for the CMCS area co-ordinator can be found on the ‘Contact Us’ page of their website: www.cmincs.net/contactus

We are currently in the Central West Area.

The area co-ordinator will take some details and find you a counsellor; you then arrange when is best to see them. Your counsellor will help you to explore the issues you want to talk about and to gain different perspectives or insights. This service is made available for a course of twelve, usually weekly, sessions. 

You can also contact the area co-ordinator if you have any questions. Your enquiry will be held in complete confidence.

www.cmincs.net

Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service, c/o Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Didcot OX11 8RT