Pastoral Counseling embraces the Jesuit principle of cura personalis 鈥� care for the whole person 鈥� by integrating mental health counseling with one's spirituality, religious experience and/or faith. A valued entity within Campus Ministry, Pastoral Counseling is also an important component of the Murray Center for Student Wellness.
Questions?
If you鈥檙e interested in Clinical Pastoral Counseling or to refer someone, contact Rick for an initial conversation:
Contact Rick Rossi
richard.rossi@bc.edu
617-552-6592
McElroy 227
About Pastoral Counseling at 海角社区
What is Pastoral Counseing?
Pastoral Counseling is for undergraduate and graduate students for whom spirituality/faith/religious affiliation is important in their mental health concerns, consistent with 海角社区鈥檚 Mission of cura personalis, 鈥渃are of the whole person.鈥� It provides a fundamentally spiritual context of psychotherapy for students to integrate their own spiritual perspectives and experiences in addressing their mental health.聽
Pastoral Counselors at 海角社区 are licensed clinical practitioners (LICSW, LCSW, LMHC) who also have graduate-level education, training, experience, and supervised formation in the application of spirituality and religion to individual and communal lived experience.聽
Pastoral Counseling at 海角社区 welcomes all spiritualities, faith practices and traditions, with no expectations or requirements, to meet students 鈥渨here they are at鈥� and engage spirituality as students desire.
Meet the Pastoral Counselors
Denee, Grace and Rick are all Clinical Social Workers with education, training, and experience in Pastoral Ministry and are available to meet confidentially on a short-term or ongoing basis.聽
- Academic stress
- AnxietyDepression
- Family issues
- Gender identity
- Grief/Loss
- Issues related to sexuality
- Life transitions
- Personal growth
- Relationship issues
- Self-esteem
- Sexual Assault/Misconduct
- Social Media/AI use/Online life
- Spirituality/Faith
- Spiritual trauma and religious abuse
- Trauma
Support, Now
Campus Ministry is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of the 海角社区 community, fully recognizing and valuing all identities, beliefs, and experiences. Pastoral Counseling in particular welcomes any and all spiritualities, faith practices, and traditions, with no expectations or requirements. Especially in the context of the unprecedented, ongoing uncertainty of our shared social and racial trauma and loss, along with increased vigilance, we encourage students to seek support from our staff.聽
If you鈥檙e interested in seeing if Clinical Pastoral Counseling is something you鈥檇 like to pursue, or if you鈥檇 like to refer someone, contact Rick for an initial conversation to determine best next steps:
Highlighted Programs
Axios
Axios is an inclusive and affirming space for LGBTQ+ and questioning undergraduate students to reflect, in ongoing community, on the intersection of sexuality and spirituality in their lives.
Center
Center is a free, 6-week spiritual mindfulness group. With guidance and support, each week we鈥檒l learn a distinct and accessible meditative practice and spiritual outlook to deepen our relationship with each other and ourselves.
Together
Together is a student-centered grief support group for undergrads, meeting weekly for 6 weeks each semester. It鈥檚 an opportunity for anyone carrying grief at 海角社区 to see that they鈥檙e far from alone in this experience.
Pregnancy Resources
Boston College is here to support students expecting a child. We hold the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of a woman, the child, and those who care about them, in a strong network of support. Find out more about 海角社区鈥檚 supportive resources.
Peer Grief Support Network
The Peer Support Network is a resource for students who鈥檝e experienced loss and are looking to connect with other students who are carrying loss. Interested students will be paired up to meet 1-1 informally for coffee, ice cream, a walk, or anything that feels like a fit.
Grief Resources
Boston College is here to support students experiencing grief. We hold the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of our students in a strong network of support. Find out more about 海角社区鈥檚 supportive resources.
Mosaic: A Grief Retreat
Mosaic is a daylong, off-campus retreat for undergrad and grad students who have experienced loss and are carrying grief. Come share in opportunities for conversation, reflection, prayer, and community with peers and Pastoral Counseling staff.