Acknowledgements

My purpose for enrolling in the Counselling for Professional Development post graduate course at The University of Derby was that for fourteen years I have had a desire to research the phenomena of Spiritual Abuse, from which I am a survivor. Through this study that desire, that dream, has been realised. I therefore wish to thank those who helped me and enabled the dream to become reality. Many thanks to Revd Elizabeth Nash, my Synod Training Officer, who in 2005 agreed to meet with me to advise and pray on my future ministerial education and development, which has led me to the present. You have been a strong support to me from the time before application to this course, and your belief that I could “do it” built my confidence and spurred me on during the most difficult times of study and research. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you to Dr. Margaret Smith who conducted my application interview and offered an unconditional place on the course, your patient and quiet understanding of my dyslexia, and your guidance, tutored me through the duration of the course. Thank you for enabling me to develop personally, academically and professionally. To Keith Baker; your patient proof reading and advice was an invaluable contribution- thank you. To my beloved husband Johnathan; you never wavered in your conviction that I would complete this paper. Thank you for your love and support and for not complaining when I spent hundreds of hours burning the midnight oil only to rise up before the dawn to meet with my books and computer once again