The University Chaplain offers counselling for students and staff, and can initiate activities and gatherings that support the religious, spiritual and existential needs of students. The chaplain can also be contacted if you need support with student unions or projects related to the faith- or life stance area.
The University Chaplain is part of the university preparedness in case of crises and death. She also works with the counselling services offered by Student i Nord to offer courses and groups for students.
Counselling
Anyone can easily book a counselling session with the University Chaplain on her booking site. You can book meetings at her office in Campus Bodø, on Teams or phone, or as a Walk and Talk where the counselling is provided during a quiet walk.
The counselling can concern anything that is important to you. Worrying, unease, stress, relationships, heartbreak, friendships, student life, trauma, existential dilemmas, grief, family and loneliness are some of the recurring topics. The University Chaplain is under confidentiality, and does not keep records of visits. If needed, the University Chaplain can help establish contact with other counselling services.
The University Chaplain is a supportive listener, with experience in matters of meaning making, life interpretation and existential questions. She is an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church of Norway, and welcomes anyone, regardless of background. The University Chaplain can also help you connect with a member of a specific faith or life stance community, if you would prefer to receive counselling from a person of a similar affiliation as you self.
University Chaplain
University Chaplain Maja Leonora Olsen Valhøj graduated from MF School of Theology in 2014. She has worked as a minister in Hunstad church in Bodø, and undergone extensive training in clinical pastoral care at Lovisenberg Deaconal Hospital in Oslo, as well as at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Franciso, USA. During her training in San Francisco, Maja worked as an interfaith chaplain, providing spiritual care to patients and staff in the hospital at large, and especially in the acute psychiatric unit. Maja has since begun training in existential psychotherapy in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she has lived and worked for several years.
Quiet room
Campus Bodø has a quiet room for anyone who want a breathing space during their day. The room is decorated with soft benches, has a space for lighting candles and prayer mats facing Mecca. The room can be used for prayer, meditation, rest and much more. On the shelves, you will find religious texts and little meditations that can be used in the room. Please show respect by being mindful of other users of the room and by keeping it neat for the next person.
The quiet room is under development, and anyone is welcome to share wishes, ideas and suggestions. Reach out to the University Chaplain if you have thoughts on how the room can be used!
You’ll find the quiet room in the basement corridor between the main building and the cafeteria. See Mazemap.
