Available using Teams or another preferred video-call platform.
My background
Starting out as a protestant minister (then as an itinerant caretaker minister for Church of England, Churches of Christ, and other parishes in South Australia), I subsequently embarked on a long journey back to traditions closest to the formative era of both Orthodox and Catholic Christianity.
I did this by connecting with a number of monasteries, going on retreats, doing formation training, studying Patristic literature, and undertaking a broad range of reading relating to traditions of contemplation, hesychasm, and the psychology of Christian antiquity.
I bring a unique blend of experience and perspectives to pastoral support and accompaniment: combining parish pastoral experience with many years working in the fields of palliative care, psychotherapy and mental health; now informed by the rich tradition of the Desert (and early Church) Fathers, and that of the Roman Catholic monastic traditions.
I am a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, affiliated with Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Monastery, Langdale End, North Yorkshire, England.
As well, I have a particular affinity with the contemplative charism of the Catholic Carmelite tradition and the teachings of its Saints and contemporary writers.
Experience supporting people in Pastoral Care roles
I have provided one-to-one support to ministers and pastoral workers of a range of denominations. This support was sometimes crisis oriented (personal support), sometimes related to ethical dilemmas, but also issues of parishioners that were complex, involving the need of guidance with their psychological difficulties and mental health.
In parallel with one-to-one work was my educational role. I was a Consultant Clergy Educator for National Frontier Services (Uniting Church of Australia), outback Padres, and for interdenominational clergy groups in the Mid-North regions of South Australia (including Protestant and Catholic clergy). One important aspect of my work was concerned with the topic of: Demystifying Mental Health and Reinstating Pastoral Ministry.
Having worked for many years in the field of palliative care and terminal illness, I am well familiar with human experience at its most challenging. My roles included: Manager of the Patient and Family Counselling Service, Mary Potter Hospice, Calvary Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia, and more recently, as Manager of Specialist Palliative Care Counselling Services (and other allied health disciplines) at Saint Catherines Hospice, North Yorkshire.
Qualifications
PhD MCS BA BPTh BSS Grad Dip GW ASS Dip SW.
To discuss or arrange support in your Pastoral Care role, you can contact me here: