Counselling Service


The Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW is a caring church that encourages faith in Christ and dependency on God for healing and reconciliation.

Freecall in NSW 1800 818 133

Hannah den Otter
Consultant Social Worker
Presbyterian Counselling Service


e-mail hdotter@pcnsw.org.au

Hannah has taken up the role of Counselling Coordinator for the Presbyterian Counselling Service. She connects those who are seeking counselling to their closest Christian Counsellor with relevant expertise.

Hannah moved from the Netherlands a year ago and practiced there as a psychologist. Currently she is completing a psychological traineeship at Life Care Innerwest to gain registration in Australia. In her role as Provisional Psychologist she is also seeing clients under supervision at this practice, so she might see clients who she referred to Life Care Innerwest.

IN TOUCH with those who are hurting

This programme, which has been made possible by the Presbyterian Women's Association 2007 Market Day, is based on the understanding that the Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW is a caring church that encourages faith in Christ and dependency on God for healing and reconciliation.

The "In touch" library has been carefully selected and provides you with access to great resources without the expense of purchasing them. If you have any questions about any of the resources please call Hannah on 1800 818 133.

The lending library is made up of counselling related material, such as books, videos, CD's etc, and is available to all members of PCNSW.

See the Resources page for full list of what is available for loan.

Take a look at a review of one of the resources available: "The Marriage Course."

 

All requests for resources from the "In touch" library should be directed to Ms Manda Leong Johnston, Presbyterian Social Services Ph: 02 9690 9328.

General Information About Counselling

The aim of the Presbyterian counselling service is to provide quality care and support to individuals and families within or connected to the Presbyterian Church who are in need of professional counselling or similar services.

We aim to facilitate a process where both professional counselling and pastoral care can come together to provide healing and reconciliation for the hurt and distressed.

We provide:

  • An information and referral service for those seeking referral to quality Christian counselling.
  • A support to ministry. We provide a source of advice and support for ministers and others within the church who provide pastoral care. We can assist them to work within their own pastoral counselling skills, define the boundaries of these skills, and if appropriate examine ways to extend these pastoral counselling skills or work concurrently with professional counsellors, for the benefit of the person seeking help.

WHO CAN WE HELP?

You do not need to be a member or adherent of a Presbyterian church to receive help from the Presbyterian Counselling Service. As a support to ministry, we offer assistance to those being cared for by anyone within the Presbyterian Church. This way we can help the Christian mature in Christ and the non-Christian to come to Him.

Counselling needs might include:

  • Marriage or relationship counselling
  • Depression, Anxiety or other mental health concerns
  • Victims of trauma or abuse
  • Help for those at risk of abusing
  • Grief and loss
  • Coping with pain, illness or disability
  • Stress management

HOW DO YOU MAKE A REFERRAL or GET HELP WITH A PASTORAL CARE MATTER?

Simply call 1800 818 133.

HOW DO WE HELP?

We help by:

  • Discussing the referral with the referee. This might include some telephone counselling, advice or support to the person referring.
  • Discussing the needs of the person being referred with the referrer and person themselves. We may offer some assistance by subsidising the cost of counselling if it is prohibitive to counselling being accepted.
  • Following up the progress of counselling. Is it meeting the person's need? Are there other concerns which aren't being met in the counselling process which can be helped by the Presbyterian Counselling Service or by the church?
  • Giving people the opportunity to provide feedback on the counselling experience.
  • Encouraging the church to provide pastoral care
  • Providing training in pastoral care through Clinical Pastoral Education

WHO ARE OUR COUNSELLORS?

Our counsellors are:

  • Evangelical, biblical Christians (our counsellors sign a statement of faith)
  • Qualified with a Bachelor or Masters level education in Counselling/Psychology/Social Work
  • Experienced in Christian Counselling
  • Suitability is assessed via application, interview and through client feedback

In some circumstances where we do not have a counsellor available in a particular location, or with the appropriate skills, we will endeavour to find an appropriate alternative.

Confidentiality
All pastoral care concerns discussed with the Consultant Social Worker will be kept confidential within limits. These limits will be discussed with you. An example of such limits include mandatory reporting of abuse and the referring of suicidal or homicidal intent to the relevant authorities.