Being in college can bring with it many struggles, both past and present, expected or unexpected, and addressing them in a spiritual context may be helpful. Pastoral Counseling embraces the Jesuit principle of cura personalis – care for the whole person – by integrating mental health counseling with one's spirituality or faith tradition.

About Pastoral Counseling

Brooke Douglass
Brooke Douglass
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Brooke Douglass

Brooke Douglass

Brooke is a graduate student working towards degrees in both Social Work and Theology and Ministry. Pastoral Counseling is Brooke’s field placement for the 2024-2025 academic year. Before studying at BC, Brooke was a full-time volunteer working with students, people experiencing homelessness, and adults with disabilities in Durham, North Carolina. Before that she was a student at Providence College, where she studied theology and sociology and worked closely with Campus Ministry. In her role with Pastoral Counseling, Brooke provides one-on-one pastoral counseling for undergraduate students and also co-facilitates the Together and Center groups. Brooke enjoys working with students and being present with them as they navigate the relationship between their spirituality and well-being.

Rick Rossi, LICSW
Rick Rossi, LICSW

617-552-6592
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Rick Rossi, LICSW

Rick Rossi, LICSW

| 617-552-6592 | McElroy 227

Rick is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Campus Minister. He joined Boston College in 2002 after earning his Master’s in Pastoral Ministry. Over the years, he has worked with various Campus Ministry programs including Kairos, 4Boston, the Ignatian Society, and the Manresa Retreat. Rick is a trained spiritual director and has also served as a BC SANet Advocate. He completed his degree and licensure for clinical social work in 2015. Within a psychodynamic grounding, Rick draws on various therapeutic approaches in a strengths-based focus, prioritizing the importance of identity, justice, and compassion. Rick enjoys partnering with students to discover how spirituality and spiritual practices can be relevant to overall healing and growth.

Amanda Schar, MSW
Amanda Schar, MSW
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Amanda Schar, MSW

Amanda Schar, MSW

Amanda is a clinical pastoral counselor who recently graduated from Boston College with Master's degrees in Social Work and Theology & Ministry. Amanda's second year field placement was in Pastoral Care and Counseling at BC. Amanda is a trained BC SANet Advocate and also works full-time in the admissions office of BC's Clough School of Theology and Ministry. Amanda's approach to pastoral counseling is grounded in a strengths-based perspective and draws from various therapeutic approaches. She enjoys accompanying students and creating a supportize space to explore how spirituality can serve them and their needs.

Clinical Pastoral Counseling at BC is an experience of counseling and/or psychotherapy for any BC undergraduate or graduate students who would like their experience of counseling/therapy to take place in a spiritual context with someone who has training in both psychotherapy and spirituality. BC offers this option to students of any spiritual/religious background/faith tradition. 

Amanda, Brooke 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. 

What is Pastoral Counseling?

Pastoral counseling is a form of therapy that gives special attention to the role that spirituality plays in a person’s mental health and overall well-being. See below for more information about individual pastoral counseling and programs offered throughout the academic year. 

If you’re interested in seeing if Clinical Pastoral Counseling is something you’d like to pursue, or if you’d like to refer someone, contact Rick for an initial conversation to determine best next steps:

Contact Rick Rossi
rick.rossi@bc.edu
(617)-552-6592
McElroy 227

Campus Ministry is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of the BC 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. 

Adjustment Issues
Anxiety
Academic Stress/Questions
Crisis/Trauma
Depression
Grief/Loss
Life Transitions
Personal Growth
Relationship Issues
Self-esteem
Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Spirituality/Faith
Stress Management
Family issues

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’ll 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’s an opportunity for anyone carrying grief at BC to see that they’re 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 BC’s supportive resources.

Peer Grief Support Network

The Peer Support Network is a resource for students who’ve 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 BC’s supportive resources.

Mosaic: A Grief Retreat

Mosaic: A Grief Retreat is a new retreat offering for undergraduate and graduate students who have experienced loss and are carrying grief. This daylong, off-campus retreat will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 from 9am-5pm in Newton, MA. Come away to share in opportunities for conversation, reflection, prayer, and community with peers and Pastoral Counseling staff. This retreat is free of cost, with meals and transportation included.

Register for the retreat here by October 31st, 2024 at 11:59pm.

Support, Now

Campus Ministry is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of the BC 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.