Established 1993

                                                                                                                           Joan Spencer:  B.A. (Psych.)., B.S.W., M.A.A.S.W. (Accred.)

                                                                                                                                                  Mental Health Social Worker

                                                                                                                             Allied Health                      

                                                                                                                    Pre-marriage Counselling & Courses          Marriage Counselling 

                                                                                                                                                     Relationship Counselling and Courses

                                                                                                                                                      Family  Dispute  Resolution                                                                                

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                           Email: Enquiries@jspencer.com.au  Phone: (03) 9796 5965. Locations in Hallam and Pakenham, Victoria, Australia.

                                                                            Hallam; 182 Princes Highway. Pakenham: 2 Simon Drive . (Cnr. of and Facing. Racecourse Road.)

                                                                                                                                 Joan Spencer & Associates is a fee for service private practice.

                                                                                                Medicare rebates available following referral by G. P. of a Mental Health Care Plan to Joan Spencer.

 

 
 

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Abstract

 


Pastoral & Spiritual Counselling
Pastoral counselling is a form of counselling in which a pastoral counsellor, as a representative of a religious tradition or community, uses the insights of theology and psychology in working with persons to achieve health and wholeness. Unique to pastoral counselling is the conviction that life's transitions and crises are best met by utilizing both the wisdom of religious teachings and the knowledge and skills of  psychology. Cultural and social contexts are taken seriously in the therapeutic process.

 

For many people problems related to relationships produce a spiritual crisis. If requested we can provide help with questions of meaning etc.  At Joan Spencer and Associates we believe that with competent counsellors, some of their deeply held values will inevitably shine through, otherwise they would be exhibiting some form of pathological denial. However, we also believe that it is obligatory for counsellors to respect the autonomy of each individual and not to burden them further by raising spiritual matters unless requested to do so.


Capabilities

Both Joan and Bill Spencer are competent to provide pastoral counselling

Bill has studied at the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo. California U.S.A. under the Department of Advanced Pastoral Studies. The LLoyd Counselling Centre at S.F.T.S. describes pastoral counselling in the following way.


What is Pastoral Counselling?

Pastoral counselling is a form of counselling in which a pastoral counsellor, as a representative of a religious tradition or community, uses the insights of theology and psychology in working with persons to achieve health and wholeness. Unique to pastoral counselling is the conviction that life's transitions and crises are best met by utilizing both the wisdom of religious teachings and the knowledge and skills of psychiatry and psychology. Cultural and social contexts are taken seriously in the therapeutic process.


Key Benefits

When Can Counselling Be Helpful?  

  • When life becomes stressful and it seems that you cannot work out a personal difficulty alone, a trained counsellor may be able to help you work through your problems and give you an opportunity to better understand yourself, your relationships, values, and beliefs.  A counsellor can help you solve problems realistically so that you can work toward a more satisfying, productive, and fulfilling.

The Counselling Process Can Help You:

  • Communicate better with the important people in your life
  • Deal with addictive behaviours.
  • Develop a more enriching and holistic spiritual life.
  • Enhance personal growth/self esteem. Enrich your marriage or remarriage.
  • Heal from emotional/physical/sexual/ spiritual abuse.
  • Make moral/ethical decisions.
  • Parent more effectively.
  • Rebuild your life after a significant loss or change.
  • Resolve causes of depression, anxiety, anger, confusion, and insecurity.
  • Assess growth and vocational concerns with your future partner.
     

     

              In summary therefore we offer counselling in:
              Marriage and Relationship problems.
              Grief,
              Self esteem,
              Depression,
              Co-dependency,
              Physical and Sexual Abuse,
              Separation and Divorce,
              Mediation.
              Pastoral Counselling.

               Email: enquiries@jspencer.com.au

 


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    Copyright © 2002 Joan Spencer & Associates
    Last modified 7th July 2010