About Cornerstone
Cornerstone started on 6 April 1990 from the ashes of Care and Counsel, an
inter-denominational organisation offering counselling and psychological insights to the
Christian community. This was pioneering work at the time and many clergy and lay
Christians were able to put their trust in the organisation and access professional
psychological help. Sadly, as fees were on a contribution basis and donations from churches
were insufficient Care and Counsel had to close in 1989.
Some of us, concerned at the loss of expertise, wanted to see if we could keep a self-financing network going in the London area. A group of counsellors and psychotherapists was formed and Cornerstone began, with a handful of members. It is now made up of up to 25 members, all of whom are private practitioners meeting regularly for business and mutual enrichment. One paid member deals with referrals. Thus Cornerstone has become a London-based network without overheads and run by its members.
The name 'Cornerstone' arose from the concept of 'cornerstone' in the Old Testament symbolising stability and strength and used in the 'building of truth' rather than falsehood, something we strive for in ourselves and our clients. In the New Testament Christ is seen as the 'cornerstone' through whom buildings derive strength. We took the analogy further: it suggests strength derived from the adjoining walls of spiritual and psychological understanding, and as 'the stone which the builders reject becomes the cornerstone', there is the additional psychological sense that those rejected parts of ourselves may become sources of great strength.
In 1993 a formal constitution was formed which includes the membership criteria namely that we are Christians, qualified counsellors or psychotherapists and abide by the BACP code of ethics.
Out of our regular meetings discussing matters on the interface of psychotherapy and spirituality has come a breadth and depth of understanding of issues that are of concern to practising therapists who often encounter such issues in their work. In addition Cornerstone reflects on issues in which psychological thinking may be helpful within the church.
This has led to the development
of the public face of Cornerstone. Two conferences have now been held at St. Peter's Church, Vere Street, London to
debate current issues and engage with the wider public. The first in 1999 was entitled
'Forgiveness - easier said than done?' with The Right Reverend Professor
Richard Holloway, and the second in 2005 on 'Intimacy - Human and Divine' with James Alison, Carys Walsh, and Christopher Perry. These
events attracted over a hundred diverse people with interest and experience in
psychotherapy and in ministry.