Supporting Those Who Serve
ABOUT US
Centre for Effective Serving exists because ministry is demanding work, and the people who do it deserve proper support. We are a team of clinicians, theologians, and ministry practitioners who understand the unique pressures of vocational service — not from the outside, but from within faith communities ourselves.
Valerie Ling is a clinical psychologist, leadership consultant, and PhD candidate with over two decades of experience working at the intersection of mental health, ministry, and leadership sustainability. As the founder of Effective Serving, Valerie brings deep clinical expertise and a passion for equipping ministry leaders with the psychological tools and systems they need to serve well—and stay well.
With qualifications in Clinical Psychology and Leadership, Valerie is currently completing doctoral research focused on psychosocial safety in faith-based leadership systems. Valerie is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and supervisor, known for her research-based, theologically respectful approach to ministry wellbeing. She has worked extensively with ministry leaders, teams and denominational leaders, and is committed to seeing reflective, resilient, and relationally safe leadership take root in Christian communities.
Joshua Ling brings a unique integration of theology and psychology to Effective Serving. An ordained Presbyterian minister with a Bachelor of Theology from Moore Theological College and an Honours degree in Psychology, Joshua provides the theological foundations that shape and ground our work in ministry wellbeing.
Before co-leading Effective Serving, Joshua worked in mental health rehabilitation services and served with mission agencies—giving him deep insight into both the personal cost and spiritual significance of vocational ministry. His ability to bridge mental health insight with pastoral wisdom is foundational to how we train, mentor, and support Christian leaders.
Joshua is a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer and is available to mentor ministry leaders, run MHFA courses for churches and organisations, and contribute to theological reflection on sustainable leadership.
Since 2017, Cathy Atkinson has used her previous legal experience to provide governance and administrative support to an award-winning psychology practice. Her passion has been to provide excellent, professional and accountable care to its clients, many of whom work in gospel ministry and mission.
Cathy has both a personal and professional interest in the wellbeing of gospel workers and flourishing of local churches. She brings to Effective Serving 20 years’ experience as a ministry spouse, theological training and current involvement in various denominational committees which support healthy church ministry and the accreditation of ministry workers.
Cathy enjoys bringing together the insights of evidence-based research and a Biblical framework with practical wisdom for ministry workers, their families and those they serve.