PhD Boyd C. Purcell

Boyd C. Purcell, Ph.D., is a National Board Certified Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Chaplain, and an Ordained Christian Minister. Educationally, he has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Comprehensive Social Studies (World/European/American History, Political Science, etc.). He also has a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling, a Master of Divinity Degree in Biblical Studies, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in the integration of Psychology and Theology. Experientially, He has over 40 years of experience in counseling: agency, clinical, pastoral, psychiatric hospital, school, substance abuse, private practice, teaching counseling courses in the Counseling Department of Marshall University Graduate College, and chaplaincy—providing spiritual care at the end of life for hospice patients. Dr. Purcell is also the author of two 5-star rated books, on Amazon.com, "Spiritual Terrorism: Spiritual Abuse from the Womb to the Tomb" and "Christianity Without Insanity: For Optimal Mental/Emotional/Physical Health."

Dr. Purcell has super-condensed his two books into a very small booklet, “SALTED WITH FIRE: Five Liberating Truths—Symbolic Fire in Religions.” The most-concise summary [3x5 inch card/bookmarker] of his theological perspective is, “The Gospel in a Nutshell: Salvation of ALL Simple as ABCs.” He has written a brochure to prevent children from being spiritually abused/terrorized, “Spiritual Abuse IS Child Abuse” and another brochure to free victims of spiritual abuse from morbid fear of God, “The Three Most Liberating Truths of the Christian Faith.” Biblical fear means reverence for God based on a sense of awe about God. In regard to LGBTQAI issues, Dr. Purcell has written an article, “The Complexity of Human Sexuality,” to help bring about understanding in order to make our world, presently so torn by religious strife, tolerant and peaceful.

Dr. Purcell was born in Kentucky where he lived until his family moved to Northern Ohio. He grew up in Ohio where he lived, went to college, graduate school, and seminary, and worked for almost 30 years. He graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1965 with his Bachelor Degree, in Comprehensive Social Studies, and in 1966 with his Master Degree in Counseling. He graduated from Ashland University Theological Seminary in 1974 with a Master of Divinity Degree, in Biblical Studies, and earned his Doctor of Philosophy Degree, in the integration of psychology and theology, from Oxford Graduate School in 1988. He has resided in the Charleston area of West Virginia for the last 40 years. He is an honorably retired Presbyterian minister whose ministry was chaplaincy—providing spiritual care at the end-of-life for hospice patients.