Elizabeth Harris
Consultant Social Worker
Presbyterian Counselling Service
PO Box 278 Taree NSW 2430

e-mail liz.pcs@bigpond.net.au

It is with great pleasure that the Presbyterian Counselling Service [PCS] commences the "In touch with those who are hurting" programme.

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.

Here are just some of the things "In touch" will be providing:

· Training and education that focuses on a biblical, Christ-centered approach to ministry with those who are hurting because of depression, anxiety, anger, grief, relationship difficulties and family breakdown. In regional areas seminars at eQuip days can be provided by Christians with expertise in these areas. Additional seminars can also be arranged for pastoral charges with an interest in a specific area.

· A lending library of counselling related material, such as books, videos, CD's etc, will be made available to all members of PCNSW. Keep your eye out for our reviews and library catalogue that will be posted out soon.

· "On-line" access to material produced during the year and other resources will be developed during the year to allow a broad range of people to benefit from the programme.

Look out for more information about the "In touch with those who are hurting" programme over the coming months.

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.