You’re in an impossible position — and no one trained you for it.
A couple in your congregation is in crisis. You can’t take sides. There may be legal issues — even intervention orders. They might sit in the same service on Sunday.
You have the empathy — but not always the training, the capacity, or the strategy to help them through. That’s where I come in.
More than a referral pathway
Confidential referrals
A professional, faith-informed room for couples or individuals in your congregation — outside the church, with clinical training behind it.
Consultation calls
Talk a situation through before (or instead of) referring — what’s counselling-appropriate, what’s urgent, what’s yours to hold.
Speaking & training
Marriage and relationship sessions for your congregation or leadership team, grounded in research, delivered in plain language.
Pastoral resources
Starting with the practical guide below — written for the moments you’re most likely to face.
Supporting couples in marriage crisis: a practical guide for pastors
Five things pastors often don’t know — or commonly get wrong:
- Separation can be important. Sometimes allowing it is the most protective thing you can do.
- Attending services together could be wrong. Togetherness on Sunday isn’t always safe or wise.
- Stop forcing it. Pressure pushes the reality underground — you lose the truth, and so do they.
- Don’t reject them — care for them. Whatever happens to the marriage, they’re still yours to shepherd.
- Get professional help. Know when it’s beyond the pastoral lane — and refer early, not last.
Ungated — no email required.
Referring doesn’t mean reporting
When you refer a couple, what happens in counselling stays in counselling — governed by PACFA and CCAA codes of confidentiality. I won’t report back to you unless the couple chooses to share, and they’ll know that from the first session. It protects them, and it protects you.
Two things to know: couples must ask for help directly — you can open the door and hand them my details, but the step through it has to be theirs. And for your own questions or a consultation, contact me directly — no forms.
I hold no denominational affiliation and work with all churches.
Talk it through with me
Direct line for pastors and church leaders. Couples and individuals: please use the confidential enquiry form.