The vision for what was to become the Philippi Trust began to open up to me in 1988 while I was working as a Probation Officer in Haverigg Prison, Cumbria, and as a lay Evangelist in the Church of England. The unfolding journey seemed to be to separate Discipleship Counselling from Pastoral Counselling and to provide professional levels of Counselling and Counselling Training to both Church and Community. At that time the differences between 'Counselling' and 'Healing Ministry' were confusing and I had serious concerns about some aspects of Deliverance Ministry. Many of the prisoners thought they were demonised and had tried various forms of exorcism. The reality was that many of these men had been abused in different ways and either drank or took drugs to deaden the pain. There was a pattern to their stories that a one to one format allowed them to tell. In the main these men were victims of inappropriate nurture and not demonization. I was fortunate that I had my faith to fall back on. These men did not have that. Certainly the one to one counselling raised issues for me, sometimes very painfully. But again God's timing and plan for our lives is perfect.
After prayerfully reading through the Beatitudes I found a process of healing that changed my life and future for good, and brought a new concept of the meaning of peace to my life. This was the birth of the Philippi Model and, combined with my Social Work training in Counselling, provided the bedrock on which the Philippi Trust was to be built. Following a time of prayer a colleague gave me the Greek Phi sign to reflect on which led me to read through St Pauls letter to the Philippians. In Chapter two I was bowled over by the sheer depth of spirituality and discovered the 'Word' that was to become the Philippi Charter for all Philippian Counsellors. Later whilst on a spiritual retreat I read a small battered booklet on the Godly wholesome Peace within the meaning of Shalom. I cannot remember the name of the author but give credit now. With Shalom, the Biblical and Spiritual dimensions of the Philippi Model of counselling were complete. Drawing on my Social Work experience again, I introduced Carkhuffs standards of measurement and the principles of Gerard Egan's Problem Solving Model.

At the heart of the Philippi Trust is the Philippi Charter. It provides us with basic standards for Philippi Training and Counselling Practice, and puts Jesus, and unselfish regard for others, as the focus of all we do.

Philippians 2:1-5

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. but, in humility consider other better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Philippi Counsellors Prayer

Lord show me who I am in you and who you are in me.

Philippi Branches
The Philippi Trust UK is Based in St Helen's, Merseyside with a Training Office in Bolton, Greater Manchester. There are additional Branches in Reading, Southport, Truro and Blackpool. The Chair of Trustees and Head of Training is Clive Taylor and the UK Manager is Betty Wales

The Philippi Branch in Namibia is based in Windhoek. The Chair of Trustees is ?? and the Manager is Marianne Olivier.

Philippi South Africa has two Branches. One in the Cape Region and the other in KwaZulu Natal. The Chair of Trustees is Rev Nick Kerr. The Cape office is managed by Chantal Philander and the Natal Office by Barbara Kerr and Don Peddie.

Philippi Germany is based in Bensheim. The Chair of Trustees is ?? and the Manager is Irene Hoeth

Philippi Guernsey is based on the Island of Guernsey. The Chair of Trustees is ?? and the Manager is Dr Margaret Ogier.