Diocese of Chichester

Laura will build on the work of Nicola Canham, who has done such a good job in continuously developing and shaping the WCF service to support to clergy and members of their household within the Diocese of Chichester.

Laura is an experienced holistic psychotherapist, fluent in a range of modalities with additional qualifications in supervision and critical incident debriefing. She was the Founder of Ashburnham Place Therapy in East Sussex, where she developed therapeutic initiatives that offer increased access to nature. Laura is keen to continue exploring the spiritual and psychological significance of our relationship with nature and its far-reaching impact.

In 2019 Laura established her own consultancy, MinervaWorldwide. In addition to therapy, she offers coaching and training in a variety of areas including mitigating unconscious bias, wellness and emotionally intelligent leadership. Laura is passionate about facilitating initiatives that promote wellbeing, through training, experiential workshops and Reflective Practice Groups (RPGs).

In her new role serving the Diocese, Laura will oversee the confidential counselling service for clergy and their families, the RPGs and further developing the programme of well-being support and training for clergy in the diocese.

Laura said: “I am looking forward to supporting the well-being of clergy and their families as we navigate this turbulent era and explore the emergent invitations therein. As such, I will soon be facilitating opportunities for conversation, in familiar and new ways.”

Laura will be working on Wednesdays and Thursdays from September 1^st. From October onwards she will work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Further details about the WCF service, including the confidential self-referral form are available at https://www.chichester.anglican.org/wellbeing-for-clergy-and-families/

From 1^st September, Laura can be contacted at Laura.steven@chichester.anglican.org