Valerie Ling

23/12/2025

The Centre For Effective Living has opened up a position for a part-time psychologist to join our team. Email valerie@effectiveliving.com.au please.

This role is best suited to an experienced clinician who prefers depth over volume and is comfortable working in a private billing environment.

Key points:
Fully registered Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist
3–5+ years post-registration experience
Adult client population
Strong preference for clinicians experienced in long-term, complex individual work. NOT suitable for clinicians primarily experienced in short-term EAP, WorkCover, or group-based work

Part-time structure:
2 days clinical work (approx. 12 clients)
1 day non-clinical work (business development + own admin)
Weekday and/or Saturday availability

If this aligns with how you like to practice—or someone in your network fits this profile—feel free to reach out or share.

— Valerie Ling

02/12/2025

Of the 94 pastors who answered our Tune In Emotional Health check for ministry workers, they indicated they had experienced:

- Conflicts and quarrels: 26.7%
- Gossip and slander: 15.6%
- Unpleasant teasing: 3.3%
- Threats of violence: 4.4%
- Physical bullying: 1.1%
- None of the above apply to me: 12.2%

02/12/2025

From May to October this year we had the first version of our ministry worker's emotional wellbeing check. I am now analysing the data that has come from that (roughly 260 respondents). We may have attracted workers who were experiencing distress and wanted to do a check in, and so this may be skewed. I would say the vast majority of these responses are Australian. I had 5 categories of workers. Interestingly, this time we had some bible college, ministry apprentice, and student ministry workers answer as well. While these figures are unlikely to be representative of the total ministry population group, they do mirror my 2023 clergy wellbeing study (which placed about 30-40% of respondents had seriously thought of leaving the ministry). I'll be doing the other statistical analyses - but I thought I would share this with you.

Students and apprentice ministry workers:

7 of 49 had considered resigning (14.3%). Reasons among those with reasons recorded (n = 8):

Impact On Family: 5 (62.5%)

Something else: 3 (37.5%)

Immense Stress Of Job: 3 (37.5%)

I Feel Lonely And Isolated: 3 (37.5%)

Leadership Challenges With Staff/Team: 3 (37.5%)

Church Conflict: 1 (12.5%)​

Pastors and Ministers : 40 of 94 had considered resigning (42.6%). Reasons among those with reasons recorded (n = 43):

Impact On Family: 23 (53.5%)

Immense Stress Of Job: 23 (53.5%)

I Feel Lonely And Isolated: 16 (37.2%)

Something else: 14 (32.6%)

Leadership Challenges With Staff/Team: 13 (30.2%)

Church Conflict: 11 (25.6%)

27/11/2025

I think there’s only one other Aussie presenting (and maybe even in attendance!). One day there will be more!

26/11/2025

The nativity scene is something I look forward to spotting every year. Where King and Baby combine - servanthood and vulnerability that changes the world. I found some interesting research that led me to write about what does Christian flourishing look like, and how can it guide us as we plan and prepare our Christmas services.

https://effectiveserving.com.au/christmaschurch/

26/11/2025

I’ve updated this now with a flourishing grid that gives a more dynamic view of ministry wellbeing. This now looks at both whole of life wellbeing as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety and burnout. There is now an option to have your results and report sent to someone else (accountablity friend, partner, coach, supervisor, health/medical professional)

26/11/2025

I am pretty pleased to be journeying with 8 senior ministry leaders in 2026. We will meet monthly for our individual pastoral supervision sessions - but we will also be part of a Culture Club together. Each quarter taking in something from the wider culture and listening and leaning in to what is out there in the world. A book, 2 movies, a video series, and a couple of songs and poems.

25/11/2025

Did you miss out on our Mental Health First Aid training this year? We are planning our 2026 calendar and inviting expressions of interest. Register your interest here:

https://bit.ly/43KsBQM

10/11/2025

I’m not going to lie. When I saw the email was from the Archbishop, I thought I am in trouble.
Phew!

10/11/2025

This weekend I completed my Mental Health First Aid training. Both sessions I was moved by the ethos of this course. If everyone of us knew the inner trappings of mental illness and addiction, and had a way to listen and introduce the hope of healing and a new way of being, how much less frightening and lonely a world it would be. Overwhelmingly I was moved by my course mates, the genuine and gentle conversations, the learning and the commitment to care. As a clinical psychologist I went home feeling lighter and so much more filled with hope knowing that this training is equipping people to have every day conversations of hope.

Thank you to Joshua Ling and Ian Schoonwater for facilitating this.

08/11/2025

For my lady leaders and business owners - this is a brilliant analysis of how the Swiftverse was built. Great one for a book club.

Key takeaways:

1️⃣ Build a world, not just a product. Success isn’t about output — it’s about creating a culture people want to belong to.

2️⃣ Be anti-fragile. Don’t just bounce back from change — learn to thrive on it.

3️⃣ Change the game. When the rules don’t serve you, rewrite them. Power isn’t always given — sometimes you have to design it yourself.

4️⃣ Be a unicorn. Consistency, excellence, and uniqueness matter. Mediocrity is crowded; originality isn’t.

5️⃣ Own your story. Take control of your narrative and how your work is seen. Silence lets others define you.

6️⃣ Build community. Influence grows when people feel part of something bigger than themselves.

7️⃣ Use disruption as fuel. The moments that shake you can also shape your best moves.

https://open.spotify.com/show/3iHEp8IP71Pa8H1lt3W9Em?si=V3eKATUFST64CjBlsX7tqg

Sinéad O’Sullivan · Audiobook