TMPS 7093 Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling: A Narrative Approach
In this foundational course, we develop an understanding of critical dimensions of competent and compassionate pastoral care and counseling today. Drawing substantially on a narrative approach to care, we explore pastoral care and counseling from contemporary pastoral-theological, social-scientific, and cultural perspectives. Particular topics addressed are family systems theory; implicit bias and racism; domestic violence; suicide; power and boundaries; resilience and self-care; and skills for pastoral care.
Course overview
- Department
- Theology and Ministry
- School
- STM
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Graduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.10 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.36 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 7
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Melissa Kelley | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 15 of 20 |
| Fall 2024 | Melissa Kelley | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 16 of 24 |
| Summer 2024 | Melissa Kelley | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 10+ hrs/week | 10 of 21 |
| Spring 2024 | Kathleen Gallivan | 3.1 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | ≤ 1 hr/week | 18 of 25 |
| Spring 2023 | Melissa Kelley | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 25 |
| Summer 2022 | Melissa Kelley | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4–6 hrs/week | 10 of 13 |
| Fall 2021 | Melissa Kelley | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4–6 hrs/week | 11 of 23 |