Prof Peter Gubi

Professor of Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
p.gubi@chester.ac.uk
Prof Peter Gubi

Professor Gubi supervises a number of PhD and MA research students.

Professor Gubi has worked in the Counselling professions for over thirty years in the contexts of Primary Care, the voluntary sector, education, and private practice. He maintains a private practice in Crewe offering Supervision, Counselling, Pastoral Supervision and Spiritual Direction.

He has held senior roles in Counsellor Training, having been Principal Lecturer and Divisional Leader in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies at the University of Central Lancashire, prior to coming to the University of Chester. He has researched and published extensively (see publications). His research interest is in the interface between spirituality and mental health, and in the mental health wellbeing of Clergy. He is a pragmatic researcher with a specialism in qualitative methods.

At Chester, Professor Gubi mostly supervises postgraduate research (MA/MPhil/PhD/DProf) and teaches module SO7307 on the MA in Clinical Counselling programme. He welcomes the opportunity to talk to potential students about research projects of interest through a PhD. As well as being a Professor at Chester, Professor Gubi is a Minister in the Moravian Church (British Province), Provincial Pastoral Supervision Co-ordinator for the Moravian Church (British Province), Chair of the Provincial Church Service Committee for the Moravian Church (British Province), and Co-ordinator of the Worship Leader’s programme for the Moravian Church (British Province). He is also a Trustee of the Association for Pastoral Supervision and Education and is Chair of the Training, Research and Publications sub-group. He is also Honorary Professor of Practical Theology at Teofilo Kisanji University, Tanzania.

Further information about Professor Gubi can be found on his website.

At the University of Chester, Professor Gubi teaches on the DProf programme, and also supervises MA, DProf and PhD research.

Research interests

  • Pastoral Supervision;
  • The interface between faith and Counselling;
  • Spirituality and Mental Health well-being;
  • The interface between Spiritual Accompaniment/Direction and Counselling/Psychotherapy;
  • Mental Health Chaplaincy
  • Clergy wellbeing
  • Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy

PhD and Professional Doctorate Supervision

Professor Gubi welcomes enquiries for research at doctorate level in any of the research areas listed above, or from students wishing to explore other areas in Counselling and Psychotherapy using qualitative research methods.

Published work from 2014 onwards:

Books

Gubi, P.M. (2023). From the Sanctuary: Spiritual Reflections from the Everyday. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2023). Enriching Awareness and Practice in the Pastoral and Reflective Supervision of Clergy. Lexington Books: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). What Counsellors and Spiritual Directors Can Learn from Each Other: Ethical Practice, Training and Supervision. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. and Swinton, V. (2016). Researching Lesser-Explored Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Karnac Books: London.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Listening to Less-Heard Voices: Developing Counsellors’ Awareness. Chester University Press: Chester.

Book chapters

Gubi, P.M. (2023). Reflecting theologically in pastoral supervision. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed). Enriching Awareness and Practice in the Pastoral and Reflective Supervision of Clergy. Lexington Books: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2023). Prayer in pastoral supervision. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed). Enriching Awareness and Practice in the Pastoral and Reflective Supervision of Clergy. Lexington Books: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2023). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed). Enriching Awareness and Practice in the Pastoral and Reflective Supervision of Clergy. Lexington Books: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. & Korris, J. (2020). Setting the scene. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. & Korris, J. (2020). The benefits of Reflective Practice Groups for clergy support. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). Thinking theologically about Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). Developing reflectivity and spiritual formation in Clergy training through Reflective Practice Groups. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). The limitations of Reflective Practice Groups. In Gubi, P.M., Korris, J, & West, W. (2020). Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy: Offering pastoral supervision, well-being support and spiritual formation in community. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). The use of Reflexive Practice Groups in spiritual development. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). What Counsellors and Spiritual Directors Can Learn from Each Other: Ethical Practice, Training and Supervision. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). Using prayer in Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). What Counsellors and Spiritual Directors Can Learn from Each Other: Ethical Practice, Training and Supervision. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). What Counsellors and Spiritual Directors Can Learn from Each Other: Ethical Practice, Training and Supervision. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. and Swinton, V. (2016). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M. and Swinton, V. Researching Lesser-Explored Issues in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Karnac Books: London.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Listening to Less-Heard Voices: Developing Counsellors’ Awareness. Chester University Press: Chester.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Introduction. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). The Importance of Relationship. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Forgiveness. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2015). Accompaniment through Grief. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Goss, P.M and Gubi, P.M. (2015). Life-Span Development and Spiritual Needs. In Gubi, P.M. (Ed.). Spiritual Accompaniment and Counselling: Journeying with Psyche and Soul. Jessica Kingsley Publishers: London & New York.

Gubi, P.M. (2014). Counselling and Spiritual Accompaniment. In Nolan, G.  & West, W. (Eds.). Exploring therapy, culture and spirituality: Developing therapeutic practice. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke.

Peer-Reviewed journals

Gubi, P.M., Bubbers, S., Gardner, D., Mullally, W. & Mwenisongole, T.A. (in press). An evaluation of supervisees’ perceptions of the benefits and limitations of pastoral/reflective supervision among Christian clergy in the UK. Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture.

Williams, S.A. & Gubi, P.M. (in press). The self-perceived impact of parental suicide in adolescence, of a father, on his daughter’s intimate, heterosexual relationships in adulthood. Journal of Illness, Crisis and Loss.

Gubi, P.M. & Mwenisongole, T.A. (2022). A small-scale evaluation of pastoral supervision in the Moravian Church (British Province). Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 25(2):197-206.

Abbey, P. & Gubi, P.M. (2022). An exploration of how trainee counsellors, who have a Christian faith, experience the impact of person-centred counsellor training on their faith. Journal of Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies. 21(4): 331-348.

Devassia, J. & Gubi, P.M. (2022). An exploration of the differences and similarities between Counselling and Confession, as experienced by Counsellors who are, or have been, Catholic Priests. Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 25(3): 263-275 DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2021.1999399.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). Exploring the impact, value and limitations of Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy in a Church in Wales diocese. Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture.

Hill, L. & Gubi, P.M. (2020). Factors that may continue to impact a mother’s emotional wellbeing once her child’s treatment for cancer has completed and their implications for ongoing support. Journal of Illness, Crisis and Loss.

Gubi, P.M. (2019). Utilising Reflective Practice Groups as pedagogy in ordination training and theological development. Practical Theology Journal.

Lee, K.A & Gubi, P.M. (2019). Breaking up with Jesus: a phenomenological exploration of the experience of deconversion from an Evangelical Christian faith to Atheism. Journal of Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(2): 171-184. DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2019.1623767.

Chapman, E. & Gubi, P.M. (2019). An exploration of the ways in which feelings of ‘maternal ambivalence’ affect some women. Journal of Illness, Crisis and Loss.

Bonsmann, C., Gubi, P.M. & Reeves, A. (2018). Performing in therapy: An aspect of clients’ dissatisfaction in the premature termination of therapy. Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy. 18(2): 80-91.

Gubi, P.M. (2018). Reaching a theological position on human sexuality through Heart Theology. The Hinge: International Theological Dialog for the Moravian Church. 23(2): 48-50.

Pembroke, N., Coyle, S., Gear, J., Gubi, P.M., Kelly, E., Louw, D., McMillan, L., Niven, A., Thierfelder, C., Schmidt, W., & van den Berg, J.A. (2018). Toward A Structured, Tri-Domain Model Of Companioning In Christian Formation By Pastoral Agents In A Congregational Setting: A Preliminary Report On An International Research Project. Journal of Pastoral Care and Counselling. 72(2):104-115. DOI: 10.1177/1542305018765659.

Bonsmann, C. & Gubi, P.M. (2017). Clients’ experiences of premature termination of counselling and psychotherapy: Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, 17(3): 149-159.

Fozard, E. & Gubi, P.M. (2017). An examination of the developmental impact of continuing destructive parental conflict on young adult children. Journal of Illness, Crisis and Loss. DOI: 10.1177/1054137317709581.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). Embracing reflexivity through Spiritually Reflexive Groups in the training and support of clergy. The Hinge: International Theological Dialog for the Moravian Church. 22(2): 2-23.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). Assessing the perceived limitations of Reflexive Groups for supporting Clergy in the Church of England. Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture. 19(7): 769-780. DOI:10.1080/13674676.2017.1279130.

Gubi, P.M. (2016). Assessing the perceived value of Reflexive Groups for supporting Clergy in the Church of England. Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture. 19(4): 350-361.DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2016.1197194.

Gubi, P.M. & Smart, H. (2016). Mental Health Chaplains: Practitioners’ perspectives on their value, purpose and function in the UK National Health Service. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling. 44(3): 289-296.

Other journal publications

Gubi, P.M. & Bubbers, S. (2023). Report to the Diocese of Lichfield on the evaluation of the experience of supervisees within the Diocesan Pastoral Supervision Scheme. Diocese of Lichfield: Lichfield.

Gubi, P.M. (2022). The Church in, and after, Covid-19. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. March: 30-31.

Gubi, P.M. (2021). The Introduction of Pastoral Supervision into the British province. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. January: 4.

Gubi, P.M. (2020). From the Sanctuary. A series of twelve monthly spiritual reflections. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

Gubi, P.M. (2019). From the Sanctuary. A series of twelve monthly spiritual reflections. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

Gubi, P.M. (2018). Reaching a theological position on human sexuality through Heart Theology. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

Gubi, P.M. (2018). From the Sanctuary. A series of twelve monthly spiritual reflections. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). From the Sanctuary. A series of twelve monthly spiritual reflections. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland.

Gubi, P.M. (2017). Reclaiming the spiritual in Reflective Practice Groups for Clergy. Thresholds. The Journal of BACP Spirituality Division. Summer: 23-27.

Gubi, P.M. (2016). Developing Heart Theology through ‘Banden’ today. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. December: 138.

Gubi, P.M. (2016). Developing Heart Theology historically through ‘Banden’. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. November: 129.

Gubi, P.M. (2016). Engaging in Heart Theology as Moravians. Moravian Messenger: Official Journal of the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland. October: 115.

Gubi, P.M. (2016). Pastoral supervision for clergy and pastoral workers: A personal perspective. Thresholds: The Journal of BACP Spirituality Division. Summer: 14-17.

Gubi, P.M. & Korris, J. (2015). Supporting Church of England clergy through the provision of Reflective Practice Groups. Thresholds: The Journal of BACP Spirituality Division. Winter: 20-24.

  • DMin Ecclesial Pastoral Care (University of Chester)
  • ThD Theology and Practice (University of Winchester)
  • PhD Counselling Studies (University of Manchester)
  • MTh Applied Theology (University of Liverpool)
  • MA Pastoral Theology [with Distinction] (Anglia Ruskin University)
  • MA Counselling Studies [with Commendation] (Nottingham University)
  • MA Educational Studies (Hull University)
  • BEd Religious Studies/Youth & Community Work (CNAA)
  • Dip Spiritual Accompaniment (The Norwich Centre)
  • PG Cert Counselling Supervision [with Distinction] (University of Keele)
  • Cert Bereavement Counselling (University of Keele)
  • Cert Counselling (West Sussex Institute of Higher Education)

Memberships

  • MBACP Registered Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist  
  • MBACP Registered Senior Accredited Supervisor of Individuals
  • APSE Senior Accredited Pastoral Supervisor
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Ordained Deacon in the Moravian Church (British Province)
  • Consecrated Presbyter in the Moravian Church (British Province)