ACC National Conference 2026
ACC National Conference 2026
Homecoming, as told in the story of the lost son, is less about geography than identity - a return to a place where we essentially belong. When he turns homeward, the son does not plan to arrive with conditions, or prepared defences, rather he comes as is and has been, with honesty, regrets and a simple longing to be back – irrespective of where he will now fit into his father’s household. That he is met by the father with compassion, joy and a desire to celebrate, rather than with the expected condemnation and marginalisation, is the startling aspect of this story, told as an exemplar of the nature of God’s relationship with us.
Homecoming happens when we have confidence that we can similarly be seen, known, and welcomed, when empathy and grace help us return to where we came from, recognising where and with whom we belong.
Henri Nouwen reflecting on the parable, writes in The Return of The Prodigal Son.
“Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says: ‘You are my Beloved, on you my favour rests’ [...] the same voice that speaks to all the children of God and sets them free to live in the midst of a dark world while remaining in the light.”
The father’s open arms, inviting connection and safe warm embrace reflects something of the ministry and practice of ACC members. In our various roles, we offer welcome, attentive presence and skilled accompaniment, a safe space, where struggles, truth and meaning can surface and acceptance and healing can begin. In a contemporary world where there are many competing discourses relating to identity, and many fractured places where we dwell, we hope the conference is an opportunity to explore what homecoming and belonging means in a Christian context and in our personal and professional lives.
Programme
Please see our programme here.
Training streams
All training streams run for four sessions from Saturday to Sunday only. For more information on the training streams, please see the programme. You will only need to select one training stream. If you have any questions, please contact office@acc-uk.org.
Venue
For information on how to get to the venue, please visit the Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre website here.
Accessibility
The venue itself is accessible and therefore all plenary sessions, training sessions, and social places are accessible. If you need an accessible bedroom please email office@acc-uk.org before booking.
Ticket options
Early bird residential
The residential option includes:
- full access to conference
- refreshments
- ensuite accommodation on Friday and Saturday
- dinner on Friday
- breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday
- breakfast and lunch on Sunday
- access to Nuffield Health (fitness and wellbeing gym) onsite
Members cost £435 (please login to access your discount)
Non Members cost £475
Early bird tickets are available until 15 July
Available workshops:
Friday 2nd Oct, 2026, 18:30 - 21:15
Saturday 3rd Oct, 2026, 09:15 - 21:15
Attachment and homecoming Available
This 4-part workshop with take a fresh look at Attachment behaviour, its roots and outworking in our lives. Using creative tools, including the new ‘Understanding Attachment’ cards, Pauline will help participants to explore their own story and discover new ways of working with clients.
Session 1 - Homecoming and Secure Attachment
Exploring what it means to be securely attached and how we carry ‘home’ in our hearts; the impact on self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 2 - Homecoming and Ambivalent Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Ambivalent Attachment behaviour; the uncertainty and anxiety this can bring, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 3 - Homecoming and Avoidant Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Avoidant Attachment behaviour; the sense that life is DIY and we’re best keeping our distance, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 4 - Homecoming and Disorganised Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Disorganised Attachment behaviour; the impact of abuse and developmental deficit, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Pauline Andrew is the Director of PA Counselling & Training (PACT) and of Deep Release Counselling & Training, Pauline taught Diploma courses in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision for Barnabas Counselling Training for many years. She also wrote and taught the L5 Certificate in Integrating Creative Interventions in Counselling (all CPCAB). Pauline and her husband Chris now run a wide range of popular online and face-to-face Deep Release training courses for counsellors.
Pauline has written three Creative Guides to Working with the Inner Child, Blocked Anger and Nesting Dolls. Her cartoon-illustrated counselling cards, “Roles Played in Families”, “Core Needs in Families”, “Roles Played in Anger”, “Roles Played in Groups” and “Understanding Attachment” are hugely popular around the UK and in an increasing number of other countries. She is also closely involved in the production of the pact-resources-online web apps, enabling counsellors to work with the cards and other creative tools online.
Pauline and Chris live in Norfolk, where they share 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
How to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse Available
The training will address how to help survivors of childhood emotional and/or sexual abuse. The training, spread over two days, will cover a number of difficult complex topics, including:
- the false memory syndrome controversy and implications for counsellors
- why clients are reluctant to disclose a history of sexual abuse
- how to address blocks to self-care
- grounding techniques and the importance of working within a window of tolerance
- self-harm and how this links with abuse in childhood
- addressing spiritual issues, including the issue of forgiveness
- client notes and important legal implications
Due to the nature of the topic being discussed, care will be taken that the training and all the group work is undertaken in a sensitive way, with a high regard for the emotional safety of delegates.
DPsych (Metanoia/Middlesex), MTh (Middlesex) BA (Hons) (Brunel)
Fellow of Association of Christian Counsellors and Registered Member (Senior Accredited Counsellor)
Registered Member BACP (Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist)
Dr Heather Churchill is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy and author of the Churchill Core Competence Framework. She has many years of experience as a trainer, therapist and a supervisor. Heather has co-authored two books: Insight into Helping Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Insight into Shame and has published a number of articles in the Accord journal of the Association of Christian Counsellors. In her private clinical practice, she specialises in counselling adults who have experienced abuse in childhood.
Using art in therapy Available
Being creative can unlock the door to a greater appreciation of our own internal landscape. This hands-on training will give you some practical, creative ideas and tools which you can adapt and use in therapy sessions to help clients express themselves when words are not enough. Art making directly connects us with God as our creator, whether or not we think we are good at art. Often, it is not about the end product, but the process we go through that helps us to express ourselves and communicate in a different way. As an Art Psychotherapist, I often find people are confused about what art therapists do. Using creativity, I help clients to communicate and process to improve their emotional, physical and mental well-being. Please do not fall into the trap of saying … “but I can’t draw.” God, our creator, created you in His image, therefore we can all create. When we face trauma or a threat to our survival, our logical thinking brain goes offline. This disables our speech and can make using words difficult to process these events. However, our emotional, creative brain was in overdrive to find a solution for our survival. Using creativity in therapy allows access to these events to help recover and make sense of these difficult situations. There will be opportunities to work with many different types of art materials, so prepare to get your hands dirty. You may also want to consider what you wear or bring something to protect your clothes. All artwork will be considered confidential and will not be shared unless you choose to do so. However, there may be some collective group artwork activities and opportunities to share your work within the group.
If you choose to attend another group, please respect the confidentiality of the artwork created by this group. Thank you.
Rachel Cooper is an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist, and certified ITR Trauma Specialist and Trainer, ITR Institute, USA. She is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and an accredited member of ACC. Rachel’s career began as a teacher, then as an Education Officer. She owned an optical company for 15 years, and in 2012, she planted a church with her husband in Chester. Here, she worked with the homeless and most vulnerable and developed an interest in recovery from trauma, having recovered from PTSD herself. This led to her master’s degree in art psychotherapy. From the Chester church, they have planted two more churches, and she is currently a facilitator for M4 Europe, a church-planting training programme. She is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Supervision. She has a private art therapy and trauma practice in Chester and works online for the ITR Institute in Canada, USA, UK, Oman and Australia. She has been married to Keith for 32 years, and they have an adult daughter who was married this year. www.rachelcooperart.co.uk
Demystifying relational depth in practice Available
Introduction and aims:
Working at relational depth not only deepens the therapeutic relationship - which leads to better outcomes in therapy - but also presents opportunities for moments of deep connection and healing. Relational depth is one of those ideas in practice that counsellors intuitively recognise but may struggle to put into words or may not have a framework of understanding for what actually happens and how it can be facilitated in counselling.
This experiential workshop aims to enable counsellors to better understand how to work at relational depth, both in terms of the on-going relationship with the client and moments of relational depth and transformation, including from a Christian perspective. Rather than viewing relational depth as some mystical idea, the main focus of the workshop will unpack the concept and process in practice, giving you a way of understanding what it is, how it is an important underlying mechanism of therapeutic change, and how you can safely facilitate relational depth in your counselling practice, whatever your theoretical approach.
Workshop contents:
- What is relational depth?
- Why relational depth matters
- Unpacking relational depth in practice - facilitating relational depth and moments of meeting
- Relational depth in Christian counselling
Attendees:
This experiential workshop is aimed at trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists working with adult clients in a range of settings. Attendees from other linked professions are also welcome to attend but will need a good understanding of the counselling process and ethics as the workshop is aimed primarily at practising counsellors/psychotherapists.
Dr Janet Penny is a counselling psychologist and psychotherapist who has extensive experience as a trainer in Christian counselling at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Her work also includes research supervision for doctoral candidates at the Metanoia Institute and London School of Theology, as well as consultancy for professional organisations. Janet has a private clinical practice and enjoys working at the creative edges of therapy using therapeutic photography and creative writing. Her main professional focus has been on the integration of faith and therapy, including writing on relational and power dynamics in Christian counselling. She enjoys photography and is also involved in prayer ministry at her local church.
Fresh eyes on inner child work: a three-lens relational developmental approach Available
‘I thought finally that of all the nostalgias that haunt the human heart the greatest of them all, for me, is an everlasting longing to bring what is youngest home to what is oldest, in us all’ (Van der Post)
This inner child approach is a way we can help facilitate this process of bringing what is youngest in us home to what is oldest, our here-and-now adult self.
The training is experiential; you may want to share deeply from your professional and personal experience. I will use my group work skills to create a secure and structured space whereby we can get a taste of this whole person, relational developmental approach to inner child work.
The training is in four parts:
Part 1: Warm up, contracting/group ethos, introductions, principles of this approach.
Part 2: Liberating your eternal inner child
Part 3: Growing adult maturity
Part 4: Identifying and learning to relate lovingly to your wounded inner child part and closing reflections
In this three-pronged approach I focus simultaneously on helping the client work towards becoming a mature adult (lens one) whilst at the same time helping them identify and build on all the unique, God-given qualities that make us, us. What I think of as liberating their eternal inner child (lens two). At the same time, I seek to help the client move towards a more integrated adult psychological stance whereby they take responsibility for relating lovingly to their wounded inner child (lens three).
As well as being underpinned by humanistic values/principles and multiple humanistic models - Gestalt, Erskine, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Psychodrama, Person Centered, Transactional Analysis - I also draw on Object Relations, Child Development, and Neuroscience. This approach integrates a Christian spirituality and faith perspective, either worked with implicitly or explicitly.
Catherine O’Riordan (UKCP, ACC, APSE) is a developmentally based, relationally focused integrative psychotherapist. Catherine lives in Nottingham with James; they have two grown-up children.
For over a decade Catherine has sought to articulate a fully humanistic-integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy whereby the whole, called-by-name individual, can be restored to their God-given nature, wounds and all. This has resulted in her ‘inner child’ approach. Qualified as a Gestalt groupwork facilitator, Catherine’s interests include how to facilitate healthy groups - an experience of solitude in community - where the individual can feel secure, learn and thrive.
Initially working as a chaplain and counsellor in a SE London RC 6th Form College, Catherine works in Nottingham as a psychotherapist, supervisor and workshop facilitator. She has an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in philosophy and theology from Heythrop College, University of London. For three years she tried her vocation as a Carmelite novice before training as a counsellor and then as a psychotherapist. Catherine identifies as Roman Catholic, as well as engaging with the Quakers, a 24/7 community and Elijah House Prayer Ministry.
Shame and pastoral care Available
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
(Psalm 25, 1-2)
Shame has an impact on all of us. It is not what God originally intended, but it is pervasive, impacting our view of, and relationship with, God, ourselves and those around us. Jesus promised not to leave us as orphans. Through the Cross his intention is to restore to us the glory that was there before the Fall and will be ours again in the coming age. These sessions will explore some of the origins of shame, why we find addressing it shameful and how recovery from shame should form a central part of discipleship. Our time will be interactive as we seek to explore how the church can address shame more effectively.
Core session aims:
- To consider shame from a creation perspective and an impact of the Fall
- To explore familial, social and cultural origins of shame
- To explore how shame impacts our view of self, God and others
- To show how the bodies God has given us respond to shame
- To explore how shame affects our emotions and thoughts
- To understand common responses to shame
- To understand problematic shame coping strategies
- To reflect on the role of the Cross in restoring the shamed
- To see this restoration as a part of discipleship
- To consider how to develop shame reducing communities
- To consider pastoral aspects of shame reduction
Peter Watts is a Christian who has trained as a counsellor specializing in shame and behavioral addictions. He has experience in supporting those problematic behaviours are both a way pseudo-way of coping with shame while also causing more shame. Peter has a specialist interest in the impact of shame on sexual identity and sexual behaviours. He is an Accredited Member of the BACP and member of the ACC as well as a freelance trainer for the Institute of Sex Addiction Training (ISAT).
Identity, purpose, belonging and finding home Available
A coaching approach to exploring a journey towards Identity Purpose and Belonging – A set of workshops to consider underpinning theories, biblical narratives, coaching tools and techniques. Working with clients to find their way home.
Neil and Sue will create a space for practitioners to explore and experience coaching within this theme both theoretically and practically through a series of workshops. Using Sue's Signposts Coaching Framework as a map throughout the 4 sessions, they will guide practitioners through this experiential journey.
Coaching towards identity purpose and belonging - participants will:
- Explore and consider theoretical underpinning for their coaching practice
- Draw on biblical narratives and consider how these provide a context for their work
- Experience working within an established framework and use relevant tools and techniques to support clients
Neil Flint is an ILM Level 7 qualified executive coach and accredited senior practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). He works independently as a leadership development consultant across private, public and faith sectors, having previously been a successful senior school leader at both local and national level.
Neil is passionate about the transformational nature of coaching as a tripartite dialogue between coach, coachee and ever-present Holy Spirit that enables the client to grow into the person God designed them to be. He seeks to enable clients to recognise the core of who they are by ‘holding up a mirror’ to deepens awareness of their God-given identity. He promotes a journey of self-discover to restore a vision of their purpose and how they fit into Gods great plan. Finally, he encourages clients to reflect on the relational context of their journey, nurturing a sense of belonging.
Sue Iqbal is an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach Mentor/Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Her experience has been gained from senior leadership in education, across charities and the church sector. She now specialises in leadership and life coaching. Sue has many years' experiences of designing and running coaching training, and her company runs an EMCC Accredited (EQA) Christian Coaching and Mentoring Course. She has also published a book on Authentic Leadership (Golden Threads). She lives in the countryside and enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Spiritual accompaniment: Homecoming of another kind Available
The first of these two sessions will consider how people seek solace in the contemporary world, what they are looking for in their ‘me time’ or ‘homecoming’ and what part Spiritual Accompaniment may play in that. We will explore how perceptions of spirituality as viewed by health professionals are changing, and how a holistic approach is slowly changing the dynamic between Spiritual Accompaniment, counselling, psychotherapy and medicalised responses. We will also look at where the boundaries lie, and the practices and principles that minimise the risk of harm or spiritual abuse.
The second session will appraise the similarities and the differences between Spiritual Accompaniment and talking therapies. It will explore the explicit focus on faith and how the language of belief, scripture, God and the Divine frame the conversation. We will explore the notion of listening three ways: to the client (or ‘directee’); to the inner movements of the director; and to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. We will ask what it may take to become a Spiritual Director in the Christian tradition and what those called to this ministry may need to hold gently or lay to rest.
Dr Pollyanna Magne is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Programme at Sarum College, a Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and a National Teaching Fellow.
In her previous career as an Associate Professor in Academic Development and Clinical Education Polly noticed the increasing demands and pace of work across academic, health and business sectors increase exponentially. She also noticed the prevalence of burn-out and a growing need for people to reconnect with themselves, those they love and the things that make them feel valued and fulfilled.
As Director of Spiritual Direction at Sarum College Polly supports the formation of those called to a ministry in Spiritual Direction. Together they explore what it means to accompany those who are taking time to pause, breathe, explore their spirituality, deepen their faith and enrich their relationship with the Divine.
Polly nourishes her own faith through pilgrimage, contemplative retreats, arts festivals, singing (loudly – sorry), reading and eating cake!
Katharine Thompson is a tutor in Spiritual Direction at Sarum College and a spiritual director who also leads reflective running retreats and pilgrimages. Katharine loves to journey alongside others in their life of faith; offering one-to-one accompaniment from home, online, or out walking or running in nature.
The transforming power of movement in nature came to her in mid-life and quickly became a spacious, reflective rhythm where the gentle pace and changing terrain help us listen, restore balance, and notice the quiet ways God speaks.
Katharine has a Masters degree in Intercultural studies from Fuller Seminary in California, USA and a BSC (Hons) from Durham University.
She has spent over 30 years working in small to medium charities, including Viva and The Space, supporting vulnerable children and young people. She and her family also spent 7 years as wardens of Windsor Hill Wood, a Christian refuge in Somerset for people recovering from a time of crisis.
Retreat – prodigal son Available
“God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home” – Henri Nouwen
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is one of the most familiar and well-loved of all of Jesus’ parables. In the Eastern Church it is known as the “The Parable of the Loving Father” and by looking at it from this perspective we can concentrate not so much on the depth of the lostness of the sons, but experience the depth of the love of the father and the desire for both sons to experience a sense of “home”.
We will draw in part upon Henri Nouwen’s book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and his writings about his fascination with Rembrandt’s painting of the same name to help us explore the various aspects of the parable – homecoming, forgiveness, affirmation, reconciliation and restoration and how the love of Father (God) transforms us into His likeness.
The retreat will include some led teaching, Biblical meditations, music, relaxation, and reflective exercises. In each session there will also be time for private reflection perhaps using meditative exercises and creative materials that will be provided, silence, reading or even just resting.
This is about time for you, a time for God to run to meet you, to be refreshed, receive and experience “home”.
Just bring yourself and choose what you would like to do.
Sue and Chris Monckton-Rickett are both Registered Accredited Counsellors and have been counselling for over 30 years, working creatively with clients including sandplay. Their organisation WINGS (Wholeness In God’s Son) seeks to bring wholeness to the lives of individuals, families and communities, through counselling, prayer ministry, retreat leading and training.
They have led many retreats, for ACC and other organisations both on-line and in -person. An important part of both their counselling work and retreat leading has been with people in Christian ministry and those in caring professions.
Sunday 4th Oct, 2026, 09:15 - 16:00
Attachment and homecoming Available
This 4-part workshop with take a fresh look at Attachment behaviour, its roots and outworking in our lives. Using creative tools, including the new ‘Understanding Attachment’ cards, Pauline will help participants to explore their own story and discover new ways of working with clients.
Session 1 - Homecoming and Secure Attachment
Exploring what it means to be securely attached and how we carry ‘home’ in our hearts; the impact on self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 2 - Homecoming and Ambivalent Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Ambivalent Attachment behaviour; the uncertainty and anxiety this can bring, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 3 - Homecoming and Avoidant Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Avoidant Attachment behaviour; the sense that life is DIY and we’re best keeping our distance, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 4 - Homecoming and Disorganised Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Disorganised Attachment behaviour; the impact of abuse and developmental deficit, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Pauline Andrew is the Director of PA Counselling & Training (PACT) and of Deep Release Counselling & Training, Pauline taught Diploma courses in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision for Barnabas Counselling Training for many years. She also wrote and taught the L5 Certificate in Integrating Creative Interventions in Counselling (all CPCAB). Pauline and her husband Chris now run a wide range of popular online and face-to-face Deep Release training courses for counsellors.
Pauline has written three Creative Guides to Working with the Inner Child, Blocked Anger and Nesting Dolls. Her cartoon-illustrated counselling cards, “Roles Played in Families”, “Core Needs in Families”, “Roles Played in Anger”, “Roles Played in Groups” and “Understanding Attachment” are hugely popular around the UK and in an increasing number of other countries. She is also closely involved in the production of the pact-resources-online web apps, enabling counsellors to work with the cards and other creative tools online.
Pauline and Chris live in Norfolk, where they share 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
How to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse Available
The training will address how to help survivors of childhood emotional and/or sexual abuse. The training, spread over two days, will cover a number of difficult complex topics, including:
- the false memory syndrome controversy and implications for counsellors
- why clients are reluctant to disclose a history of sexual abuse
- how to address blocks to self-care
- grounding techniques and the importance of working within a window of tolerance
- self-harm and how this links with abuse in childhood
- addressing spiritual issues, including the issue of forgiveness
- client notes and important legal implications
Due to the nature of the topic being discussed, care will be taken that the training and all the group work is undertaken in a sensitive way, with a high regard for the emotional safety of delegates.
DPsych (Metanoia/Middlesex), MTh (Middlesex) BA (Hons) (Brunel)
Fellow of Association of Christian Counsellors and Registered Member (Senior Accredited Counsellor)
Registered Member BACP (Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist)
Dr Heather Churchill is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy and author of the Churchill Core Competence Framework. She has many years of experience as a trainer, therapist and a supervisor. Heather has co-authored two books: Insight into Helping Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Insight into Shame and has published a number of articles in the Accord journal of the Association of Christian Counsellors. In her private clinical practice, she specialises in counselling adults who have experienced abuse in childhood.
Using art in therapy Available
Being creative can unlock the door to a greater appreciation of our own internal landscape. This hands-on training will give you some practical, creative ideas and tools which you can adapt and use in therapy sessions to help clients express themselves when words are not enough. Art making directly connects us with God as our creator, whether or not we think we are good at art. Often, it is not about the end product, but the process we go through that helps us to express ourselves and communicate in a different way. As an Art Psychotherapist, I often find people are confused about what art therapists do. Using creativity, I help clients to communicate and process to improve their emotional, physical and mental well-being. Please do not fall into the trap of saying … “but I can’t draw.” God, our creator, created you in His image, therefore we can all create. When we face trauma or a threat to our survival, our logical thinking brain goes offline. This disables our speech and can make using words difficult to process these events. However, our emotional, creative brain was in overdrive to find a solution for our survival. Using creativity in therapy allows access to these events to help recover and make sense of these difficult situations. There will be opportunities to work with many different types of art materials, so prepare to get your hands dirty. You may also want to consider what you wear or bring something to protect your clothes. All artwork will be considered confidential and will not be shared unless you choose to do so. However, there may be some collective group artwork activities and opportunities to share your work within the group.
If you choose to attend another group, please respect the confidentiality of the artwork created by this group. Thank you.
Rachel Cooper is an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist, and certified ITR Trauma Specialist and Trainer, ITR Institute, USA. She is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and an accredited member of ACC. Rachel’s career began as a teacher, then as an Education Officer. She owned an optical company for 15 years, and in 2012, she planted a church with her husband in Chester. Here, she worked with the homeless and most vulnerable and developed an interest in recovery from trauma, having recovered from PTSD herself. This led to her master’s degree in art psychotherapy. From the Chester church, they have planted two more churches, and she is currently a facilitator for M4 Europe, a church-planting training programme. She is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Supervision. She has a private art therapy and trauma practice in Chester and works online for the ITR Institute in Canada, USA, UK, Oman and Australia. She has been married to Keith for 32 years, and they have an adult daughter who was married this year. www.rachelcooperart.co.uk
Demystifying relational depth in practice Available
Introduction and aims:
Working at relational depth not only deepens the therapeutic relationship - which leads to better outcomes in therapy - but also presents opportunities for moments of deep connection and healing. Relational depth is one of those ideas in practice that counsellors intuitively recognise but may struggle to put into words or may not have a framework of understanding for what actually happens and how it can be facilitated in counselling.
This experiential workshop aims to enable counsellors to better understand how to work at relational depth, both in terms of the on-going relationship with the client and moments of relational depth and transformation, including from a Christian perspective. Rather than viewing relational depth as some mystical idea, the main focus of the workshop will unpack the concept and process in practice, giving you a way of understanding what it is, how it is an important underlying mechanism of therapeutic change, and how you can safely facilitate relational depth in your counselling practice, whatever your theoretical approach.
Workshop contents:
- What is relational depth?
- Why relational depth matters
- Unpacking relational depth in practice - facilitating relational depth and moments of meeting
- Relational depth in Christian counselling
Attendees:
This experiential workshop is aimed at trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists working with adult clients in a range of settings. Attendees from other linked professions are also welcome to attend but will need a good understanding of the counselling process and ethics as the workshop is aimed primarily at practising counsellors/psychotherapists.
Dr Janet Penny is a counselling psychologist and psychotherapist who has extensive experience as a trainer in Christian counselling at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Her work also includes research supervision for doctoral candidates at the Metanoia Institute and London School of Theology, as well as consultancy for professional organisations. Janet has a private clinical practice and enjoys working at the creative edges of therapy using therapeutic photography and creative writing. Her main professional focus has been on the integration of faith and therapy, including writing on relational and power dynamics in Christian counselling. She enjoys photography and is also involved in prayer ministry at her local church.
Fresh eyes on inner child work: a three-lens relational developmental approach Available
‘I thought finally that of all the nostalgias that haunt the human heart the greatest of them all, for me, is an everlasting longing to bring what is youngest home to what is oldest, in us all’ (Van der Post)
This inner child approach is a way we can help facilitate this process of bringing what is youngest in us home to what is oldest, our here-and-now adult self.
The training is experiential; you may want to share deeply from your professional and personal experience. I will use my group work skills to create a secure and structured space whereby we can get a taste of this whole person, relational developmental approach to inner child work.
The training is in four parts:
Part 1: Warm up, contracting/group ethos, introductions, principles of this approach.
Part 2: Liberating your eternal inner child
Part 3: Growing adult maturity
Part 4: Identifying and learning to relate lovingly to your wounded inner child part and closing reflections
In this three-pronged approach I focus simultaneously on helping the client work towards becoming a mature adult (lens one) whilst at the same time helping them identify and build on all the unique, God-given qualities that make us, us. What I think of as liberating their eternal inner child (lens two). At the same time, I seek to help the client move towards a more integrated adult psychological stance whereby they take responsibility for relating lovingly to their wounded inner child (lens three).
As well as being underpinned by humanistic values/principles and multiple humanistic models - Gestalt, Erskine, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Psychodrama, Person Centered, Transactional Analysis - I also draw on Object Relations, Child Development, and Neuroscience. This approach integrates a Christian spirituality and faith perspective, either worked with implicitly or explicitly.
Catherine O’Riordan (UKCP, ACC, APSE) is a developmentally based, relationally focused integrative psychotherapist. Catherine lives in Nottingham with James; they have two grown-up children.
For over a decade Catherine has sought to articulate a fully humanistic-integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy whereby the whole, called-by-name individual, can be restored to their God-given nature, wounds and all. This has resulted in her ‘inner child’ approach. Qualified as a Gestalt groupwork facilitator, Catherine’s interests include how to facilitate healthy groups - an experience of solitude in community - where the individual can feel secure, learn and thrive.
Initially working as a chaplain and counsellor in a SE London RC 6th Form College, Catherine works in Nottingham as a psychotherapist, supervisor and workshop facilitator. She has an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in philosophy and theology from Heythrop College, University of London. For three years she tried her vocation as a Carmelite novice before training as a counsellor and then as a psychotherapist. Catherine identifies as Roman Catholic, as well as engaging with the Quakers, a 24/7 community and Elijah House Prayer Ministry.
Shame and pastoral care Available
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
(Psalm 25, 1-2)
Shame has an impact on all of us. It is not what God originally intended, but it is pervasive, impacting our view of, and relationship with, God, ourselves and those around us. Jesus promised not to leave us as orphans. Through the Cross his intention is to restore to us the glory that was there before the Fall and will be ours again in the coming age. These sessions will explore some of the origins of shame, why we find addressing it shameful and how recovery from shame should form a central part of discipleship. Our time will be interactive as we seek to explore how the church can address shame more effectively.
Core session aims:
- To consider shame from a creation perspective and an impact of the Fall
- To explore familial, social and cultural origins of shame
- To explore how shame impacts our view of self, God and others
- To show how the bodies God has given us respond to shame
- To explore how shame affects our emotions and thoughts
- To understand common responses to shame
- To understand problematic shame coping strategies
- To reflect on the role of the Cross in restoring the shamed
- To see this restoration as a part of discipleship
- To consider how to develop shame reducing communities
- To consider pastoral aspects of shame reduction
Peter Watts is a Christian who has trained as a counsellor specializing in shame and behavioral addictions. He has experience in supporting those problematic behaviours are both a way pseudo-way of coping with shame while also causing more shame. Peter has a specialist interest in the impact of shame on sexual identity and sexual behaviours. He is an Accredited Member of the BACP and member of the ACC as well as a freelance trainer for the Institute of Sex Addiction Training (ISAT).
Identity, purpose, belonging and finding home Available
A coaching approach to exploring a journey towards Identity Purpose and Belonging – A set of workshops to consider underpinning theories, biblical narratives, coaching tools and techniques. Working with clients to find their way home.
Neil and Sue will create a space for practitioners to explore and experience coaching within this theme both theoretically and practically through a series of workshops. Using Sue's Signposts Coaching Framework as a map throughout the 4 sessions, they will guide practitioners through this experiential journey.
Coaching towards identity purpose and belonging - participants will:
- Explore and consider theoretical underpinning for their coaching practice
- Draw on biblical narratives and consider how these provide a context for their work
- Experience working within an established framework and use relevant tools and techniques to support clients
Neil Flint is an ILM Level 7 qualified executive coach and accredited senior practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). He works independently as a leadership development consultant across private, public and faith sectors, having previously been a successful senior school leader at both local and national level.
Neil is passionate about the transformational nature of coaching as a tripartite dialogue between coach, coachee and ever-present Holy Spirit that enables the client to grow into the person God designed them to be. He seeks to enable clients to recognise the core of who they are by ‘holding up a mirror’ to deepens awareness of their God-given identity. He promotes a journey of self-discover to restore a vision of their purpose and how they fit into Gods great plan. Finally, he encourages clients to reflect on the relational context of their journey, nurturing a sense of belonging.
Sue Iqbal is an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach Mentor/Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Her experience has been gained from senior leadership in education, across charities and the church sector. She now specialises in leadership and life coaching. Sue has many years' experiences of designing and running coaching training, and her company runs an EMCC Accredited (EQA) Christian Coaching and Mentoring Course. She has also published a book on Authentic Leadership (Golden Threads). She lives in the countryside and enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Spiritual accompaniment: Homecoming of another kind Available
The first of these two sessions will consider how people seek solace in the contemporary world, what they are looking for in their ‘me time’ or ‘homecoming’ and what part Spiritual Accompaniment may play in that. We will explore how perceptions of spirituality as viewed by health professionals are changing, and how a holistic approach is slowly changing the dynamic between Spiritual Accompaniment, counselling, psychotherapy and medicalised responses. We will also look at where the boundaries lie, and the practices and principles that minimise the risk of harm or spiritual abuse.
The second session will appraise the similarities and the differences between Spiritual Accompaniment and talking therapies. It will explore the explicit focus on faith and how the language of belief, scripture, God and the Divine frame the conversation. We will explore the notion of listening three ways: to the client (or ‘directee’); to the inner movements of the director; and to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. We will ask what it may take to become a Spiritual Director in the Christian tradition and what those called to this ministry may need to hold gently or lay to rest.
Dr Pollyanna Magne is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Programme at Sarum College, a Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and a National Teaching Fellow.
In her previous career as an Associate Professor in Academic Development and Clinical Education Polly noticed the increasing demands and pace of work across academic, health and business sectors increase exponentially. She also noticed the prevalence of burn-out and a growing need for people to reconnect with themselves, those they love and the things that make them feel valued and fulfilled.
As Director of Spiritual Direction at Sarum College Polly supports the formation of those called to a ministry in Spiritual Direction. Together they explore what it means to accompany those who are taking time to pause, breathe, explore their spirituality, deepen their faith and enrich their relationship with the Divine.
Polly nourishes her own faith through pilgrimage, contemplative retreats, arts festivals, singing (loudly – sorry), reading and eating cake!
Katharine Thompson is a tutor in Spiritual Direction at Sarum College and a spiritual director who also leads reflective running retreats and pilgrimages. Katharine loves to journey alongside others in their life of faith; offering one-to-one accompaniment from home, online, or out walking or running in nature.
The transforming power of movement in nature came to her in mid-life and quickly became a spacious, reflective rhythm where the gentle pace and changing terrain help us listen, restore balance, and notice the quiet ways God speaks.
Katharine has a Masters degree in Intercultural studies from Fuller Seminary in California, USA and a BSC (Hons) from Durham University.
She has spent over 30 years working in small to medium charities, including Viva and The Space, supporting vulnerable children and young people. She and her family also spent 7 years as wardens of Windsor Hill Wood, a Christian refuge in Somerset for people recovering from a time of crisis.
Retreat – prodigal son Available
“God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home” – Henri Nouwen
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is one of the most familiar and well-loved of all of Jesus’ parables. In the Eastern Church it is known as the “The Parable of the Loving Father” and by looking at it from this perspective we can concentrate not so much on the depth of the lostness of the sons, but experience the depth of the love of the father and the desire for both sons to experience a sense of “home”.
We will draw in part upon Henri Nouwen’s book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and his writings about his fascination with Rembrandt’s painting of the same name to help us explore the various aspects of the parable – homecoming, forgiveness, affirmation, reconciliation and restoration and how the love of Father (God) transforms us into His likeness.
The retreat will include some led teaching, Biblical meditations, music, relaxation, and reflective exercises. In each session there will also be time for private reflection perhaps using meditative exercises and creative materials that will be provided, silence, reading or even just resting.
This is about time for you, a time for God to run to meet you, to be refreshed, receive and experience “home”.
Just bring yourself and choose what you would like to do.
Sue and Chris Monckton-Rickett are both Registered Accredited Counsellors and have been counselling for over 30 years, working creatively with clients including sandplay. Their organisation WINGS (Wholeness In God’s Son) seeks to bring wholeness to the lives of individuals, families and communities, through counselling, prayer ministry, retreat leading and training.
They have led many retreats, for ACC and other organisations both on-line and in -person. An important part of both their counselling work and retreat leading has been with people in Christian ministry and those in caring professions.
Early bird non-residential
The non-residential option includes:
- full access to conference
- refreshments
- dinner on Friday
- lunch and dinner on Saturday
- lunch on Sunday
- access to Nuffield Health (fitness and wellbeing gym) onsite
Members cost £290 (please login to access your discount)
Non Members cost £320
Early bird tickets are available until 15 July
Available workshops:
Friday 2nd Oct, 2026, 18:30 - 21:15
Saturday 3rd Oct, 2026, 09:15 - 21:15
Attachment and homecoming Available
This 4-part workshop with take a fresh look at Attachment behaviour, its roots and outworking in our lives. Using creative tools, including the new ‘Understanding Attachment’ cards, Pauline will help participants to explore their own story and discover new ways of working with clients.
Session 1 - Homecoming and Secure Attachment
Exploring what it means to be securely attached and how we carry ‘home’ in our hearts; the impact on self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 2 - Homecoming and Ambivalent Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Ambivalent Attachment behaviour; the uncertainty and anxiety this can bring, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 3 - Homecoming and Avoidant Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Avoidant Attachment behaviour; the sense that life is DIY and we’re best keeping our distance, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 4 - Homecoming and Disorganised Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Disorganised Attachment behaviour; the impact of abuse and developmental deficit, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Pauline Andrew is the Director of PA Counselling & Training (PACT) and of Deep Release Counselling & Training, Pauline taught Diploma courses in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision for Barnabas Counselling Training for many years. She also wrote and taught the L5 Certificate in Integrating Creative Interventions in Counselling (all CPCAB). Pauline and her husband Chris now run a wide range of popular online and face-to-face Deep Release training courses for counsellors.
Pauline has written three Creative Guides to Working with the Inner Child, Blocked Anger and Nesting Dolls. Her cartoon-illustrated counselling cards, “Roles Played in Families”, “Core Needs in Families”, “Roles Played in Anger”, “Roles Played in Groups” and “Understanding Attachment” are hugely popular around the UK and in an increasing number of other countries. She is also closely involved in the production of the pact-resources-online web apps, enabling counsellors to work with the cards and other creative tools online.
Pauline and Chris live in Norfolk, where they share 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
How to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse Available
The training will address how to help survivors of childhood emotional and/or sexual abuse. The training, spread over two days, will cover a number of difficult complex topics, including:
- the false memory syndrome controversy and implications for counsellors
- why clients are reluctant to disclose a history of sexual abuse
- how to address blocks to self-care
- grounding techniques and the importance of working within a window of tolerance
- self-harm and how this links with abuse in childhood
- addressing spiritual issues, including the issue of forgiveness
- client notes and important legal implications
Due to the nature of the topic being discussed, care will be taken that the training and all the group work is undertaken in a sensitive way, with a high regard for the emotional safety of delegates.
DPsych (Metanoia/Middlesex), MTh (Middlesex) BA (Hons) (Brunel)
Fellow of Association of Christian Counsellors and Registered Member (Senior Accredited Counsellor)
Registered Member BACP (Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist)
Dr Heather Churchill is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy and author of the Churchill Core Competence Framework. She has many years of experience as a trainer, therapist and a supervisor. Heather has co-authored two books: Insight into Helping Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Insight into Shame and has published a number of articles in the Accord journal of the Association of Christian Counsellors. In her private clinical practice, she specialises in counselling adults who have experienced abuse in childhood.
Using art in therapy Available
Being creative can unlock the door to a greater appreciation of our own internal landscape. This hands-on training will give you some practical, creative ideas and tools which you can adapt and use in therapy sessions to help clients express themselves when words are not enough. Art making directly connects us with God as our creator, whether or not we think we are good at art. Often, it is not about the end product, but the process we go through that helps us to express ourselves and communicate in a different way. As an Art Psychotherapist, I often find people are confused about what art therapists do. Using creativity, I help clients to communicate and process to improve their emotional, physical and mental well-being. Please do not fall into the trap of saying … “but I can’t draw.” God, our creator, created you in His image, therefore we can all create. When we face trauma or a threat to our survival, our logical thinking brain goes offline. This disables our speech and can make using words difficult to process these events. However, our emotional, creative brain was in overdrive to find a solution for our survival. Using creativity in therapy allows access to these events to help recover and make sense of these difficult situations. There will be opportunities to work with many different types of art materials, so prepare to get your hands dirty. You may also want to consider what you wear or bring something to protect your clothes. All artwork will be considered confidential and will not be shared unless you choose to do so. However, there may be some collective group artwork activities and opportunities to share your work within the group.
If you choose to attend another group, please respect the confidentiality of the artwork created by this group. Thank you.
Rachel Cooper is an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist, and certified ITR Trauma Specialist and Trainer, ITR Institute, USA. She is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and an accredited member of ACC. Rachel’s career began as a teacher, then as an Education Officer. She owned an optical company for 15 years, and in 2012, she planted a church with her husband in Chester. Here, she worked with the homeless and most vulnerable and developed an interest in recovery from trauma, having recovered from PTSD herself. This led to her master’s degree in art psychotherapy. From the Chester church, they have planted two more churches, and she is currently a facilitator for M4 Europe, a church-planting training programme. She is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Supervision. She has a private art therapy and trauma practice in Chester and works online for the ITR Institute in Canada, USA, UK, Oman and Australia. She has been married to Keith for 32 years, and they have an adult daughter who was married this year. www.rachelcooperart.co.uk
Demystifying relational depth in practice Available
Introduction and aims:
Working at relational depth not only deepens the therapeutic relationship - which leads to better outcomes in therapy - but also presents opportunities for moments of deep connection and healing. Relational depth is one of those ideas in practice that counsellors intuitively recognise but may struggle to put into words or may not have a framework of understanding for what actually happens and how it can be facilitated in counselling.
This experiential workshop aims to enable counsellors to better understand how to work at relational depth, both in terms of the on-going relationship with the client and moments of relational depth and transformation, including from a Christian perspective. Rather than viewing relational depth as some mystical idea, the main focus of the workshop will unpack the concept and process in practice, giving you a way of understanding what it is, how it is an important underlying mechanism of therapeutic change, and how you can safely facilitate relational depth in your counselling practice, whatever your theoretical approach.
Workshop contents:
- What is relational depth?
- Why relational depth matters
- Unpacking relational depth in practice - facilitating relational depth and moments of meeting
- Relational depth in Christian counselling
Attendees:
This experiential workshop is aimed at trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists working with adult clients in a range of settings. Attendees from other linked professions are also welcome to attend but will need a good understanding of the counselling process and ethics as the workshop is aimed primarily at practising counsellors/psychotherapists.
Dr Janet Penny is a counselling psychologist and psychotherapist who has extensive experience as a trainer in Christian counselling at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Her work also includes research supervision for doctoral candidates at the Metanoia Institute and London School of Theology, as well as consultancy for professional organisations. Janet has a private clinical practice and enjoys working at the creative edges of therapy using therapeutic photography and creative writing. Her main professional focus has been on the integration of faith and therapy, including writing on relational and power dynamics in Christian counselling. She enjoys photography and is also involved in prayer ministry at her local church.
Fresh eyes on inner child work: a three-lens relational developmental approach Available
‘I thought finally that of all the nostalgias that haunt the human heart the greatest of them all, for me, is an everlasting longing to bring what is youngest home to what is oldest, in us all’ (Van der Post)
This inner child approach is a way we can help facilitate this process of bringing what is youngest in us home to what is oldest, our here-and-now adult self.
The training is experiential; you may want to share deeply from your professional and personal experience. I will use my group work skills to create a secure and structured space whereby we can get a taste of this whole person, relational developmental approach to inner child work.
The training is in four parts:
Part 1: Warm up, contracting/group ethos, introductions, principles of this approach.
Part 2: Liberating your eternal inner child
Part 3: Growing adult maturity
Part 4: Identifying and learning to relate lovingly to your wounded inner child part and closing reflections
In this three-pronged approach I focus simultaneously on helping the client work towards becoming a mature adult (lens one) whilst at the same time helping them identify and build on all the unique, God-given qualities that make us, us. What I think of as liberating their eternal inner child (lens two). At the same time, I seek to help the client move towards a more integrated adult psychological stance whereby they take responsibility for relating lovingly to their wounded inner child (lens three).
As well as being underpinned by humanistic values/principles and multiple humanistic models - Gestalt, Erskine, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Psychodrama, Person Centered, Transactional Analysis - I also draw on Object Relations, Child Development, and Neuroscience. This approach integrates a Christian spirituality and faith perspective, either worked with implicitly or explicitly.
Catherine O’Riordan (UKCP, ACC, APSE) is a developmentally based, relationally focused integrative psychotherapist. Catherine lives in Nottingham with James; they have two grown-up children.
For over a decade Catherine has sought to articulate a fully humanistic-integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy whereby the whole, called-by-name individual, can be restored to their God-given nature, wounds and all. This has resulted in her ‘inner child’ approach. Qualified as a Gestalt groupwork facilitator, Catherine’s interests include how to facilitate healthy groups - an experience of solitude in community - where the individual can feel secure, learn and thrive.
Initially working as a chaplain and counsellor in a SE London RC 6th Form College, Catherine works in Nottingham as a psychotherapist, supervisor and workshop facilitator. She has an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in philosophy and theology from Heythrop College, University of London. For three years she tried her vocation as a Carmelite novice before training as a counsellor and then as a psychotherapist. Catherine identifies as Roman Catholic, as well as engaging with the Quakers, a 24/7 community and Elijah House Prayer Ministry.
Shame and pastoral care Available
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
(Psalm 25, 1-2)
Shame has an impact on all of us. It is not what God originally intended, but it is pervasive, impacting our view of, and relationship with, God, ourselves and those around us. Jesus promised not to leave us as orphans. Through the Cross his intention is to restore to us the glory that was there before the Fall and will be ours again in the coming age. These sessions will explore some of the origins of shame, why we find addressing it shameful and how recovery from shame should form a central part of discipleship. Our time will be interactive as we seek to explore how the church can address shame more effectively.
Core session aims:
- To consider shame from a creation perspective and an impact of the Fall
- To explore familial, social and cultural origins of shame
- To explore how shame impacts our view of self, God and others
- To show how the bodies God has given us respond to shame
- To explore how shame affects our emotions and thoughts
- To understand common responses to shame
- To understand problematic shame coping strategies
- To reflect on the role of the Cross in restoring the shamed
- To see this restoration as a part of discipleship
- To consider how to develop shame reducing communities
- To consider pastoral aspects of shame reduction
Peter Watts is a Christian who has trained as a counsellor specializing in shame and behavioral addictions. He has experience in supporting those problematic behaviours are both a way pseudo-way of coping with shame while also causing more shame. Peter has a specialist interest in the impact of shame on sexual identity and sexual behaviours. He is an Accredited Member of the BACP and member of the ACC as well as a freelance trainer for the Institute of Sex Addiction Training (ISAT).
Identity, purpose, belonging and finding home Available
A coaching approach to exploring a journey towards Identity Purpose and Belonging – A set of workshops to consider underpinning theories, biblical narratives, coaching tools and techniques. Working with clients to find their way home.
Neil and Sue will create a space for practitioners to explore and experience coaching within this theme both theoretically and practically through a series of workshops. Using Sue's Signposts Coaching Framework as a map throughout the 4 sessions, they will guide practitioners through this experiential journey.
Coaching towards identity purpose and belonging - participants will:
- Explore and consider theoretical underpinning for their coaching practice
- Draw on biblical narratives and consider how these provide a context for their work
- Experience working within an established framework and use relevant tools and techniques to support clients
Neil Flint is an ILM Level 7 qualified executive coach and accredited senior practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). He works independently as a leadership development consultant across private, public and faith sectors, having previously been a successful senior school leader at both local and national level.
Neil is passionate about the transformational nature of coaching as a tripartite dialogue between coach, coachee and ever-present Holy Spirit that enables the client to grow into the person God designed them to be. He seeks to enable clients to recognise the core of who they are by ‘holding up a mirror’ to deepens awareness of their God-given identity. He promotes a journey of self-discover to restore a vision of their purpose and how they fit into Gods great plan. Finally, he encourages clients to reflect on the relational context of their journey, nurturing a sense of belonging.
Sue Iqbal is an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach Mentor/Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Her experience has been gained from senior leadership in education, across charities and the church sector. She now specialises in leadership and life coaching. Sue has many years' experiences of designing and running coaching training, and her company runs an EMCC Accredited (EQA) Christian Coaching and Mentoring Course. She has also published a book on Authentic Leadership (Golden Threads). She lives in the countryside and enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Spiritual accompaniment: Homecoming of another kind Available
The first of these two sessions will consider how people seek solace in the contemporary world, what they are looking for in their ‘me time’ or ‘homecoming’ and what part Spiritual Accompaniment may play in that. We will explore how perceptions of spirituality as viewed by health professionals are changing, and how a holistic approach is slowly changing the dynamic between Spiritual Accompaniment, counselling, psychotherapy and medicalised responses. We will also look at where the boundaries lie, and the practices and principles that minimise the risk of harm or spiritual abuse.
The second session will appraise the similarities and the differences between Spiritual Accompaniment and talking therapies. It will explore the explicit focus on faith and how the language of belief, scripture, God and the Divine frame the conversation. We will explore the notion of listening three ways: to the client (or ‘directee’); to the inner movements of the director; and to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. We will ask what it may take to become a Spiritual Director in the Christian tradition and what those called to this ministry may need to hold gently or lay to rest.
Dr Pollyanna Magne is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Programme at Sarum College, a Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and a National Teaching Fellow.
In her previous career as an Associate Professor in Academic Development and Clinical Education Polly noticed the increasing demands and pace of work across academic, health and business sectors increase exponentially. She also noticed the prevalence of burn-out and a growing need for people to reconnect with themselves, those they love and the things that make them feel valued and fulfilled.
As Director of Spiritual Direction at Sarum College Polly supports the formation of those called to a ministry in Spiritual Direction. Together they explore what it means to accompany those who are taking time to pause, breathe, explore their spirituality, deepen their faith and enrich their relationship with the Divine.
Polly nourishes her own faith through pilgrimage, contemplative retreats, arts festivals, singing (loudly – sorry), reading and eating cake!
Katharine Thompson is a tutor in Spiritual Direction at Sarum College and a spiritual director who also leads reflective running retreats and pilgrimages. Katharine loves to journey alongside others in their life of faith; offering one-to-one accompaniment from home, online, or out walking or running in nature.
The transforming power of movement in nature came to her in mid-life and quickly became a spacious, reflective rhythm where the gentle pace and changing terrain help us listen, restore balance, and notice the quiet ways God speaks.
Katharine has a Masters degree in Intercultural studies from Fuller Seminary in California, USA and a BSC (Hons) from Durham University.
She has spent over 30 years working in small to medium charities, including Viva and The Space, supporting vulnerable children and young people. She and her family also spent 7 years as wardens of Windsor Hill Wood, a Christian refuge in Somerset for people recovering from a time of crisis.
Retreat – prodigal son Available
“God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home” – Henri Nouwen
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is one of the most familiar and well-loved of all of Jesus’ parables. In the Eastern Church it is known as the “The Parable of the Loving Father” and by looking at it from this perspective we can concentrate not so much on the depth of the lostness of the sons, but experience the depth of the love of the father and the desire for both sons to experience a sense of “home”.
We will draw in part upon Henri Nouwen’s book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and his writings about his fascination with Rembrandt’s painting of the same name to help us explore the various aspects of the parable – homecoming, forgiveness, affirmation, reconciliation and restoration and how the love of Father (God) transforms us into His likeness.
The retreat will include some led teaching, Biblical meditations, music, relaxation, and reflective exercises. In each session there will also be time for private reflection perhaps using meditative exercises and creative materials that will be provided, silence, reading or even just resting.
This is about time for you, a time for God to run to meet you, to be refreshed, receive and experience “home”.
Just bring yourself and choose what you would like to do.
Sue and Chris Monckton-Rickett are both Registered Accredited Counsellors and have been counselling for over 30 years, working creatively with clients including sandplay. Their organisation WINGS (Wholeness In God’s Son) seeks to bring wholeness to the lives of individuals, families and communities, through counselling, prayer ministry, retreat leading and training.
They have led many retreats, for ACC and other organisations both on-line and in -person. An important part of both their counselling work and retreat leading has been with people in Christian ministry and those in caring professions.
Sunday 4th Oct, 2026, 09:15 - 16:00
Attachment and homecoming Available
This 4-part workshop with take a fresh look at Attachment behaviour, its roots and outworking in our lives. Using creative tools, including the new ‘Understanding Attachment’ cards, Pauline will help participants to explore their own story and discover new ways of working with clients.
Session 1 - Homecoming and Secure Attachment
Exploring what it means to be securely attached and how we carry ‘home’ in our hearts; the impact on self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 2 - Homecoming and Ambivalent Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Ambivalent Attachment behaviour; the uncertainty and anxiety this can bring, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 3 - Homecoming and Avoidant Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Avoidant Attachment behaviour; the sense that life is DIY and we’re best keeping our distance, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Session 4 - Homecoming and Disorganised Attachment
Exploring the dynamics of Disorganised Attachment behaviour; the impact of abuse and developmental deficit, affecting our self-worth, relationships and faith.
Pauline Andrew is the Director of PA Counselling & Training (PACT) and of Deep Release Counselling & Training, Pauline taught Diploma courses in Therapeutic Counselling and Supervision for Barnabas Counselling Training for many years. She also wrote and taught the L5 Certificate in Integrating Creative Interventions in Counselling (all CPCAB). Pauline and her husband Chris now run a wide range of popular online and face-to-face Deep Release training courses for counsellors.
Pauline has written three Creative Guides to Working with the Inner Child, Blocked Anger and Nesting Dolls. Her cartoon-illustrated counselling cards, “Roles Played in Families”, “Core Needs in Families”, “Roles Played in Anger”, “Roles Played in Groups” and “Understanding Attachment” are hugely popular around the UK and in an increasing number of other countries. She is also closely involved in the production of the pact-resources-online web apps, enabling counsellors to work with the cards and other creative tools online.
Pauline and Chris live in Norfolk, where they share 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
How to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse Available
The training will address how to help survivors of childhood emotional and/or sexual abuse. The training, spread over two days, will cover a number of difficult complex topics, including:
- the false memory syndrome controversy and implications for counsellors
- why clients are reluctant to disclose a history of sexual abuse
- how to address blocks to self-care
- grounding techniques and the importance of working within a window of tolerance
- self-harm and how this links with abuse in childhood
- addressing spiritual issues, including the issue of forgiveness
- client notes and important legal implications
Due to the nature of the topic being discussed, care will be taken that the training and all the group work is undertaken in a sensitive way, with a high regard for the emotional safety of delegates.
DPsych (Metanoia/Middlesex), MTh (Middlesex) BA (Hons) (Brunel)
Fellow of Association of Christian Counsellors and Registered Member (Senior Accredited Counsellor)
Registered Member BACP (Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist)
Dr Heather Churchill is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy and author of the Churchill Core Competence Framework. She has many years of experience as a trainer, therapist and a supervisor. Heather has co-authored two books: Insight into Helping Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Insight into Shame and has published a number of articles in the Accord journal of the Association of Christian Counsellors. In her private clinical practice, she specialises in counselling adults who have experienced abuse in childhood.
Using art in therapy Available
Being creative can unlock the door to a greater appreciation of our own internal landscape. This hands-on training will give you some practical, creative ideas and tools which you can adapt and use in therapy sessions to help clients express themselves when words are not enough. Art making directly connects us with God as our creator, whether or not we think we are good at art. Often, it is not about the end product, but the process we go through that helps us to express ourselves and communicate in a different way. As an Art Psychotherapist, I often find people are confused about what art therapists do. Using creativity, I help clients to communicate and process to improve their emotional, physical and mental well-being. Please do not fall into the trap of saying … “but I can’t draw.” God, our creator, created you in His image, therefore we can all create. When we face trauma or a threat to our survival, our logical thinking brain goes offline. This disables our speech and can make using words difficult to process these events. However, our emotional, creative brain was in overdrive to find a solution for our survival. Using creativity in therapy allows access to these events to help recover and make sense of these difficult situations. There will be opportunities to work with many different types of art materials, so prepare to get your hands dirty. You may also want to consider what you wear or bring something to protect your clothes. All artwork will be considered confidential and will not be shared unless you choose to do so. However, there may be some collective group artwork activities and opportunities to share your work within the group.
If you choose to attend another group, please respect the confidentiality of the artwork created by this group. Thank you.
Rachel Cooper is an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist, and certified ITR Trauma Specialist and Trainer, ITR Institute, USA. She is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and an accredited member of ACC. Rachel’s career began as a teacher, then as an Education Officer. She owned an optical company for 15 years, and in 2012, she planted a church with her husband in Chester. Here, she worked with the homeless and most vulnerable and developed an interest in recovery from trauma, having recovered from PTSD herself. This led to her master’s degree in art psychotherapy. From the Chester church, they have planted two more churches, and she is currently a facilitator for M4 Europe, a church-planting training programme. She is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Supervision. She has a private art therapy and trauma practice in Chester and works online for the ITR Institute in Canada, USA, UK, Oman and Australia. She has been married to Keith for 32 years, and they have an adult daughter who was married this year. www.rachelcooperart.co.uk
Demystifying relational depth in practice Available
Introduction and aims:
Working at relational depth not only deepens the therapeutic relationship - which leads to better outcomes in therapy - but also presents opportunities for moments of deep connection and healing. Relational depth is one of those ideas in practice that counsellors intuitively recognise but may struggle to put into words or may not have a framework of understanding for what actually happens and how it can be facilitated in counselling.
This experiential workshop aims to enable counsellors to better understand how to work at relational depth, both in terms of the on-going relationship with the client and moments of relational depth and transformation, including from a Christian perspective. Rather than viewing relational depth as some mystical idea, the main focus of the workshop will unpack the concept and process in practice, giving you a way of understanding what it is, how it is an important underlying mechanism of therapeutic change, and how you can safely facilitate relational depth in your counselling practice, whatever your theoretical approach.
Workshop contents:
- What is relational depth?
- Why relational depth matters
- Unpacking relational depth in practice - facilitating relational depth and moments of meeting
- Relational depth in Christian counselling
Attendees:
This experiential workshop is aimed at trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists working with adult clients in a range of settings. Attendees from other linked professions are also welcome to attend but will need a good understanding of the counselling process and ethics as the workshop is aimed primarily at practising counsellors/psychotherapists.
Dr Janet Penny is a counselling psychologist and psychotherapist who has extensive experience as a trainer in Christian counselling at undergraduate and post-graduate level. Her work also includes research supervision for doctoral candidates at the Metanoia Institute and London School of Theology, as well as consultancy for professional organisations. Janet has a private clinical practice and enjoys working at the creative edges of therapy using therapeutic photography and creative writing. Her main professional focus has been on the integration of faith and therapy, including writing on relational and power dynamics in Christian counselling. She enjoys photography and is also involved in prayer ministry at her local church.
Fresh eyes on inner child work: a three-lens relational developmental approach Available
‘I thought finally that of all the nostalgias that haunt the human heart the greatest of them all, for me, is an everlasting longing to bring what is youngest home to what is oldest, in us all’ (Van der Post)
This inner child approach is a way we can help facilitate this process of bringing what is youngest in us home to what is oldest, our here-and-now adult self.
The training is experiential; you may want to share deeply from your professional and personal experience. I will use my group work skills to create a secure and structured space whereby we can get a taste of this whole person, relational developmental approach to inner child work.
The training is in four parts:
Part 1: Warm up, contracting/group ethos, introductions, principles of this approach.
Part 2: Liberating your eternal inner child
Part 3: Growing adult maturity
Part 4: Identifying and learning to relate lovingly to your wounded inner child part and closing reflections
In this three-pronged approach I focus simultaneously on helping the client work towards becoming a mature adult (lens one) whilst at the same time helping them identify and build on all the unique, God-given qualities that make us, us. What I think of as liberating their eternal inner child (lens two). At the same time, I seek to help the client move towards a more integrated adult psychological stance whereby they take responsibility for relating lovingly to their wounded inner child (lens three).
As well as being underpinned by humanistic values/principles and multiple humanistic models - Gestalt, Erskine, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Psychodrama, Person Centered, Transactional Analysis - I also draw on Object Relations, Child Development, and Neuroscience. This approach integrates a Christian spirituality and faith perspective, either worked with implicitly or explicitly.
Catherine O’Riordan (UKCP, ACC, APSE) is a developmentally based, relationally focused integrative psychotherapist. Catherine lives in Nottingham with James; they have two grown-up children.
For over a decade Catherine has sought to articulate a fully humanistic-integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy whereby the whole, called-by-name individual, can be restored to their God-given nature, wounds and all. This has resulted in her ‘inner child’ approach. Qualified as a Gestalt groupwork facilitator, Catherine’s interests include how to facilitate healthy groups - an experience of solitude in community - where the individual can feel secure, learn and thrive.
Initially working as a chaplain and counsellor in a SE London RC 6th Form College, Catherine works in Nottingham as a psychotherapist, supervisor and workshop facilitator. She has an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in philosophy and theology from Heythrop College, University of London. For three years she tried her vocation as a Carmelite novice before training as a counsellor and then as a psychotherapist. Catherine identifies as Roman Catholic, as well as engaging with the Quakers, a 24/7 community and Elijah House Prayer Ministry.
Shame and pastoral care Available
In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
(Psalm 25, 1-2)
Shame has an impact on all of us. It is not what God originally intended, but it is pervasive, impacting our view of, and relationship with, God, ourselves and those around us. Jesus promised not to leave us as orphans. Through the Cross his intention is to restore to us the glory that was there before the Fall and will be ours again in the coming age. These sessions will explore some of the origins of shame, why we find addressing it shameful and how recovery from shame should form a central part of discipleship. Our time will be interactive as we seek to explore how the church can address shame more effectively.
Core session aims:
- To consider shame from a creation perspective and an impact of the Fall
- To explore familial, social and cultural origins of shame
- To explore how shame impacts our view of self, God and others
- To show how the bodies God has given us respond to shame
- To explore how shame affects our emotions and thoughts
- To understand common responses to shame
- To understand problematic shame coping strategies
- To reflect on the role of the Cross in restoring the shamed
- To see this restoration as a part of discipleship
- To consider how to develop shame reducing communities
- To consider pastoral aspects of shame reduction
Peter Watts is a Christian who has trained as a counsellor specializing in shame and behavioral addictions. He has experience in supporting those problematic behaviours are both a way pseudo-way of coping with shame while also causing more shame. Peter has a specialist interest in the impact of shame on sexual identity and sexual behaviours. He is an Accredited Member of the BACP and member of the ACC as well as a freelance trainer for the Institute of Sex Addiction Training (ISAT).
Identity, purpose, belonging and finding home Available
A coaching approach to exploring a journey towards Identity Purpose and Belonging – A set of workshops to consider underpinning theories, biblical narratives, coaching tools and techniques. Working with clients to find their way home.
Neil and Sue will create a space for practitioners to explore and experience coaching within this theme both theoretically and practically through a series of workshops. Using Sue's Signposts Coaching Framework as a map throughout the 4 sessions, they will guide practitioners through this experiential journey.
Coaching towards identity purpose and belonging - participants will:
- Explore and consider theoretical underpinning for their coaching practice
- Draw on biblical narratives and consider how these provide a context for their work
- Experience working within an established framework and use relevant tools and techniques to support clients
Neil Flint is an ILM Level 7 qualified executive coach and accredited senior practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). He works independently as a leadership development consultant across private, public and faith sectors, having previously been a successful senior school leader at both local and national level.
Neil is passionate about the transformational nature of coaching as a tripartite dialogue between coach, coachee and ever-present Holy Spirit that enables the client to grow into the person God designed them to be. He seeks to enable clients to recognise the core of who they are by ‘holding up a mirror’ to deepens awareness of their God-given identity. He promotes a journey of self-discover to restore a vision of their purpose and how they fit into Gods great plan. Finally, he encourages clients to reflect on the relational context of their journey, nurturing a sense of belonging.
Sue Iqbal is an accredited Senior Practitioner Coach Mentor/Coach with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). Her experience has been gained from senior leadership in education, across charities and the church sector. She now specialises in leadership and life coaching. Sue has many years' experiences of designing and running coaching training, and her company runs an EMCC Accredited (EQA) Christian Coaching and Mentoring Course. She has also published a book on Authentic Leadership (Golden Threads). She lives in the countryside and enjoys swimming, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Spiritual accompaniment: Homecoming of another kind Available
The first of these two sessions will consider how people seek solace in the contemporary world, what they are looking for in their ‘me time’ or ‘homecoming’ and what part Spiritual Accompaniment may play in that. We will explore how perceptions of spirituality as viewed by health professionals are changing, and how a holistic approach is slowly changing the dynamic between Spiritual Accompaniment, counselling, psychotherapy and medicalised responses. We will also look at where the boundaries lie, and the practices and principles that minimise the risk of harm or spiritual abuse.
The second session will appraise the similarities and the differences between Spiritual Accompaniment and talking therapies. It will explore the explicit focus on faith and how the language of belief, scripture, God and the Divine frame the conversation. We will explore the notion of listening three ways: to the client (or ‘directee’); to the inner movements of the director; and to the whisper of the Holy Spirit. We will ask what it may take to become a Spiritual Director in the Christian tradition and what those called to this ministry may need to hold gently or lay to rest.
Dr Pollyanna Magne is the Director of the Spiritual Direction Programme at Sarum College, a Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader, and a National Teaching Fellow.
In her previous career as an Associate Professor in Academic Development and Clinical Education Polly noticed the increasing demands and pace of work across academic, health and business sectors increase exponentially. She also noticed the prevalence of burn-out and a growing need for people to reconnect with themselves, those they love and the things that make them feel valued and fulfilled.
As Director of Spiritual Direction at Sarum College Polly supports the formation of those called to a ministry in Spiritual Direction. Together they explore what it means to accompany those who are taking time to pause, breathe, explore their spirituality, deepen their faith and enrich their relationship with the Divine.
Polly nourishes her own faith through pilgrimage, contemplative retreats, arts festivals, singing (loudly – sorry), reading and eating cake!
Katharine Thompson is a tutor in Spiritual Direction at Sarum College and a spiritual director who also leads reflective running retreats and pilgrimages. Katharine loves to journey alongside others in their life of faith; offering one-to-one accompaniment from home, online, or out walking or running in nature.
The transforming power of movement in nature came to her in mid-life and quickly became a spacious, reflective rhythm where the gentle pace and changing terrain help us listen, restore balance, and notice the quiet ways God speaks.
Katharine has a Masters degree in Intercultural studies from Fuller Seminary in California, USA and a BSC (Hons) from Durham University.
She has spent over 30 years working in small to medium charities, including Viva and The Space, supporting vulnerable children and young people. She and her family also spent 7 years as wardens of Windsor Hill Wood, a Christian refuge in Somerset for people recovering from a time of crisis.
Retreat – prodigal son Available
“God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home” – Henri Nouwen
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” is one of the most familiar and well-loved of all of Jesus’ parables. In the Eastern Church it is known as the “The Parable of the Loving Father” and by looking at it from this perspective we can concentrate not so much on the depth of the lostness of the sons, but experience the depth of the love of the father and the desire for both sons to experience a sense of “home”.
We will draw in part upon Henri Nouwen’s book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” and his writings about his fascination with Rembrandt’s painting of the same name to help us explore the various aspects of the parable – homecoming, forgiveness, affirmation, reconciliation and restoration and how the love of Father (God) transforms us into His likeness.
The retreat will include some led teaching, Biblical meditations, music, relaxation, and reflective exercises. In each session there will also be time for private reflection perhaps using meditative exercises and creative materials that will be provided, silence, reading or even just resting.
This is about time for you, a time for God to run to meet you, to be refreshed, receive and experience “home”.
Just bring yourself and choose what you would like to do.
Sue and Chris Monckton-Rickett are both Registered Accredited Counsellors and have been counselling for over 30 years, working creatively with clients including sandplay. Their organisation WINGS (Wholeness In God’s Son) seeks to bring wholeness to the lives of individuals, families and communities, through counselling, prayer ministry, retreat leading and training.
They have led many retreats, for ACC and other organisations both on-line and in -person. An important part of both their counselling work and retreat leading has been with people in Christian ministry and those in caring professions.
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