Hello poet: I don't recall knowing you in the past here on PC. (This is my second time around here.) But it's nice to see you back under any circumstances.

I'm not a church person & in fact I'm pretty reclusive nowadays. I've seen a few therapists for brief periods over the years. But I never stuck with any of them. So, all things considered, I'm probably not the best member to be replying to your post. That said, I don't think I would seek counseling in the same place where I was in a leadership position... or probably any other position either. It just strikes me there's too much potential for conflict of interest.

As a result, my thinking would be to stick with the professional therapist you see. And if you can develop an informal mentoring relationship with the lady at your church as well... so much the better. Of course if the situation is that both of these individuals need to be paid, & you can only afford one, then again I'd just go with the professional therapist. I wouldn't pay someone who has no credentials. But then that's just my personal opinion. Good luck!