Philippa Oliver-Dee is a lecturer at the London School of Theology and has a private counselling practice.
When did you trust Christ?
I learned about the love and trustworthiness of Jesus through my mother, who loved and nurtured me. So, it seemed a natural step to be a follower of Jesus. Over the years, as my faith has been tested through challenges and some significant struggles, it has become increasingly important. Although my journey of faith started with a childlike trust in Jesus, it continues to mature, being based on a growing understanding of Scripture and a growing readiness to seek out God’s presence and leading.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
I have encountered challenges in life that have, in turn, challenged my faith. Whenever there have been struggles, God has continued to reveal Himself in His ongoing work and presence as I have prayed, read the Bible, and fasted. This has involved pushing into my faith and seeking guidance, meaning, and hope in Jesus.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
As a therapist, I am regularly engaging with damaged lives where there is abuse, family breakdown, addictions, self-harm, suicide ideation, and personal and community brokenness. The Forum has also been an important place of restoration being with other Christians also working in psychotherapy. Teaching and discussion with other delegates in the Professional Counsellors Network have supported my understanding and confidence regarding the Holy Spirit within secular theory and therapeutic practice. This has directly impacted how and what I teach regarding bringing spirituality and psychotherapy together.
What is your ministry?
As a lecturer on Theology and Counselling at the London School of Theology, I help students process the personal and spiritual impact of the courses, teach them theory and practice to work with a wide range of clinical issues, and I supervise my advanced students in their clinical work. As a psychotherapist, I work with child and adult clients experiencing a wide range of clinical issues.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Prior to my lecturing role, I co-managed and coordinated a psychotherapeutic counselling service for five years. It was staffed by Christians and offered psychotherapy.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I believe my ministry as a lecturer at London School of Theology is important because it supports Christians to work effectively with the brokenness experienced by many in our society. In my teaching, I consistently challenge and explore with students the impact of Christian faith on their ongoing academic learning and skills development. Furthermore, it is increasingly important for our psychotherapy students to be able to engage in cross-cultural settings therapeutically, so a scholarship would not just be investing in my ministry but also the ministry of Christian students who seek to grow in their psychotherapy skills and in the lives of the clients they work with in their training and beyond.
