Submitted by nick.gazard on

Anglican clergy and their partners can now access counselling (talking therapies) for a range of reasons through Clergy Support Trust. The service is being delivered through a partnership between JR Corporate Health Ltd and Clergy Support Trust.

The counselling sessions, funded by Clergy Support Trust, are confidential, independent and non-means tested.

JR Corporate Health is led by Jan Rogers, a Registered Nurse, BACP Accredited Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor; she is supported by her husband, John Rogers, a retired priest, as well as a team of associate counsellors. With this experience, JR Corporate Health is uniquely placed to help with issues arising out of ministry and the pressures these can place on relationships.

Jan Rogers, Managing Director of JR Corporate Health, said:

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Clergy Support Trust, an organisation that is close to our hearts, particularly as a clergy family ourselves.

We recognise the stresses that ministry can place on clergy and their families and we are passionate about supporting and strengthening them as they continue to minister to all those in their care and communities.

Counselling is an opportunity to step away from parish life for a moment and to have the opportunity to talk about difficulties in a supportive environment. Its purpose is to enable objectivity and to discern answers to difficulties in collaboration with the therapist."

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Jan Rogers - JR Corporate Health

Talking therapies

Counselling is available for clergy and their spouses experiencing a range of difficulties such as:

  • Anxiety & depression
  • Marriage counselling / separation
  • Other family relationships
  • Bereavement counselling
  • Past traumatic events
  • Pastoral support
  • Bullying, dealing with difficult relationships

Sarah Crombie, Director of Charitable Services for Clergy Support Trust said:

"We are delighted to introduce this new counselling service, working in partnership with JR Corporate Health.

41% of beneficiaries surveyed for last year’s Clergy Support Trust impact report asked for more support with mental health and we are privileged to be able to offer this new service.

The independent and confidential counselling service adds to our existing offer of supporting beneficiaries’ wellbeing."

How to apply

There are two ways serving and retired clergy can apply for support:

Health Grant

Wellbeing Grant

Ordinands and their families should apply under Health Grants for ordinands.

As always, please feel free to contact our friendly Grants Team, in confidence, with your questions on grants@clergysupport.org.uk or 0800 389 5192.

Please note

  • All therapy/counselling sessions provided by JR Corporate Health are confidential, within the boundaries of safeguarding you and others.
  • This partnership provides another choice for counselling. If you have an existing counsellor whom you would like to work with, the Trust may also be able to support this.
  • After an initial assessment and if counselling is suitable, then six sessions will be offered to individuals and couples, with the option to extend this if deemed necessary.