The rose window and brick façade of Our Lady of Sorrows Priory in Peckham

Psychological assessments for vocation and ministry.

Sophia Assessments supports the Catholic Church and other religious communities by providing tailored psychological assessments and evaluations for individuals and groups.

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Our Lady of Sorrows, Peckham

What we do

Specialist support for Church life and ministry

We collaborate closely with several dioceses and religious orders in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and beyond. We also work closely with several ecclesiastical safeguarding organisations.

01Psychological evaluations for candidates to the priesthood and diaconate
02Psychological reports for clergy and members of religious communities
03Support for people experiencing mental health crises or other complex conditions
04Teaching on human formation and development
05Evaluation before further engagement with special ministries within the Church

About Sophia

Comprehensive, clear and relevant assessment

Founded in 2022 under the guidance of a member of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, we have provided numerous psychological assessments for candidates to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life throughout England and Wales.

Our work is based on extensive research and metanalysis of psychological studies, alongside listening to the needs of bishops and religious superiors. We aim to provide reports that serve both the candidate and their sponsoring diocese or community.

Interviews typically take place in person; online interviews are available in exceptional circumstances. We seek to provide a safe space where candidates can gain useful insight and those charged with formation can be guided in helping them reach their potential.

People and experience

Our team

We are a friendly and approachable team of professional psychologists and therapists with particular experience of Church life and structures.

Founded by a religious priest and a lay psychoanalytical psychotherapist, we often collaborate closely with bishops, vocations directors, formators and religious superiors.

The team also regularly consults others, including leading psychiatrists who support some assessments and provide supervision.

Fr Gildas Parry, O.Praem

Director and Co-Founder, Assessor

BD, STB, PGDip (Theol), MSc (Psych), GradCert (Psych)

A Norbertine priest based in London, Fr Gildas has supervised numerous assessments of future clergy and others since 2021. He is a psychodynamic psychotherapist in training (BACP accredited), an honorary Hospital Chaplain, novice master and parochial assistant. He teaches Human Formation and Pastoral Theology at the Pontifical Beda College, Rome. He is a Graduate Member of the BPS, Student Member of the BACP and Birkbeck Counselling Association, Associate Member of the UKBHC, and Sophia Assessments’ Designated Information Officer.

Elizabeth Anscombe, MACP, MBPC

Director and Co-Founder; Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist

PGDip, MA, MA, MA

Liz is a highly qualified and experienced psychoanalytical psychotherapist based in London and the South-East. Her qualifications include a PGDip in Art Psychotherapy, MA in Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, MA in Psychoanalytic Studies and Developmental Psychology, and MA in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. She is a member of the Neuropsychoanalysis Association at UCL’s Department of Experimental Psychology.

Sister Thuy Tien Nguyen FMM, BACP

Assessor and Team Member; Psychotherapist

BSc (Psychology), MA, Dip Trauma Therapy, Cert Psychosexual Therapy

Sr Tien is a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary based in the Archdiocese of Southwark. Since 2018, she has worked in mental health and forensic environments, particularly supporting survivors of trafficking and prisoners. She has also facilitated intercultural workshops for diverse groups.

Marta Drzewiczewska

HCPC-Registered Counselling Psychologist; Specialist in Adult Psychological Assessment and Therapy

Counselling Psychologist

Marta is an experienced Counselling Psychologist based in London. Her expertise includes psychological assessment, consultation and therapy for adults with mood disorders, personality difficulties, trauma and eating disorders. Her training integrates psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and mentalization-based approaches, with postgraduate training at the Anna Freud Centre, Tavistock Clinic, University of Oxford and University College London.

Alan Burgess

Therapist in Training

MSc (Psych); CPCAB Level 3 Counselling Skills

Alan is progressing toward the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (BACP-accredited). He completed an MSc in Psychology at London South Bank University, including behavioural, social, neuropsychology and evolutionary psychology, research methods and statistics. He also works as a video game user researcher, conducting testing, focus groups and interviews and delivering evidence-based client reports.

Get in touch

Tell us about the assessment you need.

To discuss how we might be able to help, contact Sophia Assessments or send the initial referral details online.

Start an enquiry

Email

gildas.parry@norbertines.org.uk

Please email to organise a telephone conversation if required.

Address

Sophia Assessments
Our Lady of Sorrows Priory
Friary Rd
London SE15 1RH