Ways to Learn

  • In-Person

Quick Facts

  • 3-Years Full Time
  • Part-Time Option Available
  • 91 Units
  • Evening Option Available

This Program is Now Available at NU

The MA in Counseling Psychology – Holistic – Holistic Studies Specialization program has been relocated to JFK School of Psychology at NU. To learn more, visit the new program page.

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Overview

The Holistic Studies Specialization offers a hybrid of the program’s other specializations, allowing interested students to explore transpersonal, somatic, and arts-based psychotherapeutic practices.

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology – Holistic with a Specialization in Holistic Studies prepares students for careers as psychotherapists with a special emphasis on transpersonal, somatic and arts based practices. This program is offered at our San Jose campus only and meets the educational requirements of the California Marriage and Family Therapist license and with additional coursework the Professional Clinical Counselor license.

This degree specialization offers a strong foundation in basic counseling theory and practice, combining theoretical and experiential learning modalities and emphasizing personal growth and development. Students engage in self-reflection throughout the program. Core coursework allows students the opportunity to develop awareness of their own process while developing counseling, interpersonal, and communication skills. Students also explore the integration of body, mind, emotions, and spirit in their work through content in body-oriented psychotherapies, transpersonal counseling, Jungian psychology, and humanistic psychology.

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Highlights

  • Available at San Jose campus only
  • Emphasis in Buddhist Psychology
  • Emphasis in Queer Consciousness
  • Emphasis in Equine and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy

The coursework in transpersonal psychology deepens students’ knowledge of the role of meditation, dreams, archetypes, myth, and ritual in fostering psychological and spiritual well-being. They discover how transpersonal psychology emphasizes the quality of presence and authenticity of the therapist, an openness to expanded states of consciousness, and a trust in the client’s innate health and inner guiding wisdom as part of the therapeutic process and a deep exposure to how the arts are used to enhance psychotherapy.

Somatic psychology courses investigate the ways emotions, attitudes, and beliefs are often embedded in one’s physical structure, posture, expression, or voice. Movement seminars explore the reciprocal relationship between movement and the psyche. Students learn to utilize movement and body meditation techniques, work through emotional and energetic blocks, and cultivate body-mind-spirit integration. Students are encouraged to pursue both spiritual practices and somatic disciplines as a foundation for their work with others.

In addition the program provides focused emphasis in Buddhist Psychology, Queer Consciousness and Equine and Animal assisted Psychotherapy.

Curriculum

Year 1 - Fall
Units
HSJ 5000 Introduction to Holistic Studies
0
This course will introduce students to Holistic Studies and detail program requirements and student responsibilities. All students entering the Holistic Studies program are required to take this no-cost, no-credit course during their first quarter.
HSJ 5101 Group Process A
2
Using traditional, transpersonal, and somatic counseling techniques, students examine and work with their own and others’ feelings, motivations, and patterns of behavior. Through class participation, students learn group theory and group facilitation skills. Must be taken in three consecutive quarters during the first year of graduate study.
HSJ 5105 Therapeutic Communication A
3
An introduction to some basic principles and practices of effective communication. Students explore the use of communication in day-to-day life, relationships, counseling, teaching, employment settings, and other forms of working with people. Topics include presence, centering, listening skills, and discriminating between content and process.
HSJ 5010 Paradigms of Consciousness
3
An introduction to the philosophical concepts of holism. By exploring consciousness, the nature and structure of paradigms and paradigm shifts in psychological thinking, students will gain the theoretical foundation necessary to integrate transpersonal and somatic theories. Students will consider implications of living systems theory and the philosophy of holism as they relate to the field of counseling psychology.
Year 1 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5102 Group Process B
2
Using traditional, transpersonal, and somatic counseling techniques, students examine and work with their own and others’ feelings, motivations, and patterns of behavior. Through class participation, students learn group theory and group facilitation skills. Must be taken in three consecutive quarters during the first year of graduate study.
HSJ 5106 Therapeutic Communication B
3
This course will allow students to continue to practice skills and principles learned in the first quarter. The major defense mechanisms will be examined and strategies explored to deepen therapeutic process and classroom participation. Training in recognizing transference and countertransference issues and making effective therapeutic interventions. Assessment of communication patterns in dysfunctional, functional, and optimal individual and couple, family, and educational systems are explored.
HSJ 5120 Individual Development & Family Life Cycle A
3
A review of the stages of individual development and the works of traditional theorists including Freud, Mahler, and Piaget as well as those of contemporary somatic theorists. Introduction to the concept of family life cycle.
Year 1 - Spring
Units
HSJ 5103 Group Process C
2
Using traditional, transpersonal, and somatic counseling techniques, students examine and work with their own and others’ feelings, motivations, and patterns of behavior. Through class participation, students learn group theory and group facilitation skills. Must be taken in three consecutive quarters during the first year of graduate study.
HSJ 5121 Individual Development & Family Life Cycle B
3
Focuses on family life cycle and the ways in which it is influenced by, and is independent of, the developmental experiences of family members in their families of origin. Major theories of healthy and dysfunctional family development are covered including the somatic theories, relating events in the family life cycle to each member’s health.
HSJ 5235 Ethics and the Law
3
Students become familiar with the existing legal and ethical issues facing therapists. Students will make an in-depth study of the power of dynamics in the therapeutic relationship. California laws for psychotherapists are studied.
Year 1 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5115 Fundamentals of Transpersonal Counseling
2
Covers basic postulates of transpersonal psychology. Surveys Jungian psychology, transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy, psychosynthesis, imagery/movement psychology, and myth, art, and ritual in counseling.
HSJ 5126 Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling
3
Provides an overview of the field of cross-cultural issues related to counseling. Special emphasis is placed on fostering an understanding of cross-cultural dynamics in counseling through an examination of the historical, political, and sociocultural issues that impact the lives of ethnic minority clients.
HSJ 5205 Body-Oriented Psychotherapies
2
Students examine psychological attitudes and learn how these attitudes are embodied in a particular physical structure. The relationships between Freudian, Jungian, and somatic approaches such as Reichian therapy or bioenergetics are covered.
Year 1 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5102 Group Process B
2
Using traditional, transpersonal, and somatic counseling techniques, students examine and work with their own and others’ feelings, motivations, and patterns of behavior. Through class participation, students learn group theory and group facilitation skills. Must be taken in three consecutive quarters during the first year of graduate study.
HSJ 5106 Therapeutic Communication B
3
This course will allow students to continue to practice skills and principles learned in the first quarter. The major defense mechanisms will be examined and strategies explored to deepen therapeutic process and classroom participation. Training in recognizing transference and countertransference issues and making effective therapeutic interventions. Assessment of communication patterns in dysfunctional, functional, and optimal individual and couple, family, and educational systems are explored.
HSJ 5120 Individual Development & Family Life Cycle A
3
A review of the stages of individual development and the works of traditional theorists including Freud, Mahler, and Piaget as well as those of contemporary somatic theorists. Introduction to the concept of family life cycle.
Year 1 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5115 Fundamentals of Transpersonal Counseling
2
Covers basic postulates of transpersonal psychology. Surveys Jungian psychology, transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy, psychosynthesis, imagery/movement psychology, and myth, art, and ritual in counseling.
HSJ 5126 Cross-Cultural Issues in Counseling
3
Provides an overview of the field of cross-cultural issues related to counseling. Special emphasis is placed on fostering an understanding of cross-cultural dynamics in counseling through an examination of the historical, political, and sociocultural issues that impact the lives of ethnic minority clients.
HSJ 5205 Body-Oriented Psychotherapies
2
Students examine psychological attitudes and learn how these attitudes are embodied in a particular physical structure. The relationships between Freudian, Jungian, and somatic approaches such as Reichian therapy or bioenergetics are covered.
Year 2 - Fall
Units
HSJ 5201 Diagnosis, Assessment & Therapeutic Strategy A
3
An examination of traditional and somatic diagnostic systems including the DSM-IV-TR and somatic typologies. Assessment methods and therapeutic strategies appropriate to different diagnostic categories are covered.
HSJ 5215 Marriage & Family Counseling A
3
Introduction to the principles and methods of marriage and family counseling including family systems theories, methods for assessment of family interaction patterns, and intervention strategies appropriate to different types of family dysfunction. The relationship between family systems and principles of holism are discussed.
HSJ 5230 Sexuality
2
The sexual response cycle, male and female sexuality, and sexual development and dysfunction are discussed from physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and somatic perspectives. Explores therapeutic approaches as they apply to individuals, couples, and families.
Year 2 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5202 Diagnosis, Assessment & Therapeutic Strategy B
3
An examination of traditional and somatic diagnostic systems including the DSM-IV-TR and somatic typologies. Assessment methods and therapeutic strategies appropriate to different diagnostic categories are covered.
HSJ 5216 Marriage & Family Counseling B
3
Application of principles and methods of marriage and family counseling and marriage and family systems theory to specific family problems such as terminal illness, psychosomatic disorders, and addictive behavior.
HSJ 5620 Approaches to Trauma
2
This course provides an overview of the history of the concept of trauma and trauma treatment and a basic understanding of the psychobiology and neurobiology of trauma and PTSD. Conceptual distinctions will be made between developmental wounding, developmental trauma, and shock trauma. Current diagnoses overly linked to trauma (PTSD, Acute Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD and Developmental Trauma Disorder) will be discussed. The topics covered include phase-oriented treatment, dissociation models, countertransference, and building somatic and relational resources. The discussion and training will include application of somatic trauma approaches to help stabilize situations involving personal trauma, disasters, and violence.
Year 2 - Spring
Units
HSJ 5210 Child Therapy
3
Examines the psychological issues of childhood from traditional and somatic perspectives. Reviews a variety of therapeutic methods for working with children and addresses the child’s expression of energy, physical motility, and health.
HSJ 5220 Jungian Psychology
3
Prerequisite: HSJ 5115 (3 units) Presents basic Jungian concepts, models of the psyche and processes. The contributions of Jung and Jungian-oriented therapists to the field of transpersonal and somatic psychology will be explored. Includes the nature of archetypes, myth, ritual, dreams, and how to work with clients using these resources as well as how these elements are present in our own lives and culture.
HSJ 5520 Psychopharmacology
3
This course offers an introduction and general overview of the field of psychopharmacology as it relates to the practice of psychotherapy. Current medications, research in psychopharmacology, and psychoneurology will be covered. In addition alternative medicine, natural remedies, and cultural issues from a holistic perspective will be covered as will the relationship between the psychotherapist and physician in medication management.
Year 2 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5130 Movement Seminar
3
Prerequisite: HSJ 5100 (3 units) A holistic approach to working with movement in educational and therapeutic settings. Students explore movement development and articulation, re-patterning, and expression and integration. At the end of the course, students will have an understanding of movement in relation to themselves as well as experience in exploring movement with others.
HSJ 5225 Basic Addiction Studies
3
Basic information about alcoholism and chemical dependency including definitions, impact upon the users and their environments, medical aspects, current theories of the etiology of substance abuse, major treatment approaches, and community resources. Topics are covered from a systems perspective and include spiritual and nutritional issues in chemical dependency.
HSJ 5243 Community Mental Health
3
This course prepares students for challenges and opportunities, taking a holistic approach to working in community mental health settings. Topics include: the history of institutionalization and the community mental health movement; navigating the complex public health and social services systems; working with clients diagnosed with serious mental disorders; useful therapeutic models and effective practices; principles of recovery; strength-based assessment and resilience; fundamentals of case management; coordination of care and family and community involvement.
Year 2 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5202 Diagnosis, Assessment & Therapeutic Strategy B
3
An examination of traditional and somatic diagnostic systems including the DSM-IV-TR and somatic typologies. Assessment methods and therapeutic strategies appropriate to different diagnostic categories are covered.
HSJ 5216 Marriage & Family Counseling B
3
Application of principles and methods of marriage and family counseling and marriage and family systems theory to specific family problems such as terminal illness, psychosomatic disorders, and addictive behavior.
HSJ 5620 Approaches to Trauma
2
This course provides an overview of the history of the concept of trauma and trauma treatment and a basic understanding of the psychobiology and neurobiology of trauma and PTSD. Conceptual distinctions will be made between developmental wounding, developmental trauma, and shock trauma. Current diagnoses overly linked to trauma (PTSD, Acute Stress Disorder, Complex PTSD and Developmental Trauma Disorder) will be discussed. The topics covered include phase-oriented treatment, dissociation models, countertransference, and building somatic and relational resources. The discussion and training will include application of somatic trauma approaches to help stabilize situations involving personal trauma, disasters, and violence.
Year 2 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5130 Movement Seminar
3
Prerequisite: HSJ 5100 (3 units) A holistic approach to working with movement in educational and therapeutic settings. Students explore movement development and articulation, re-patterning, and expression and integration. At the end of the course, students will have an understanding of movement in relation to themselves as well as experience in exploring movement with others.
HSJ 5225 Basic Addiction Studies
3
Basic information about alcoholism and chemical dependency including definitions, impact upon the users and their environments, medical aspects, current theories of the etiology of substance abuse, major treatment approaches, and community resources. Topics are covered from a systems perspective and include spiritual and nutritional issues in chemical dependency.
HSJ 5243 Community Mental Health
3
This course prepares students for challenges and opportunities, taking a holistic approach to working in community mental health settings. Topics include: the history of institutionalization and the community mental health movement; navigating the complex public health and social services systems; working with clients diagnosed with serious mental disorders; useful therapeutic models and effective practices; principles of recovery; strength-based assessment and resilience; fundamentals of case management; coordination of care and family and community involvement.
Year 3 - Fall
Units
HSJ 5301 Supervised Field Practicum A
3
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5330 Clinical Skills: Partner & Spousal Abuse, Elder Care
2
This course looks at the whole family system and the impact of violence and abuse upon it. Trauma issues and their impact on each family member will be discussed, as well as the physiological effect of trauma on the brain. Topics include identification and treatment of abusers; victims and the children and teens living with them; attachment and physiological issues that keep couples together; identification, treatment, and reporting issues of elder and child abuse; cultural, religious, and GLBT issues and abuse; and countertransference issues. In addition, mental health issues in aging and long-term care will be addressed. Therapeutic strategies will be presented to enhance collaboration between families and care providers and maximize quality of life for the elder client.
HSJ 5530 Psychological Testing
3
This survey course is designed to help students understand the basic concepts and applications of psychological testing and the psychometric properties of psychological tests. This course will emphasize the appropriate applications and limitations of many of the current psychological tests—especially with regard to their use with people of non-dominant cultures. Issues of validity and ethics will be reviewed in this regard.
Year 3 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5302 Supervised Field Practicum B
2
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5350 Final Integrative Project A
1
This course examines the philosophical, personal, and professional issues raised in the course of graduate study in counseling psychology. Students develop an outline for an integrative paper that includes their understanding of holistic studies, transpersonal and somatic psychology, and their own personal growth work. This is the first in a two-course sequence.
HSJ 5315 Case Seminar: Individual
3
This course focuses on clinical case presentation for students in field placement. Case presentations from the student's current placement serve as a starting point for lecture, clinical discussion, exploration of diversity issues, role-play, and self-exploration within a transpersonal and somatic psychology perspective. This class supports students in acquiring professional competence in the important clinical skill of case presenting.
Year 3 - Spring
Units
HSJ 5303 Supervised Field Practicum C
2
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5313 Advanced Clinical Skills : Being the Psychotherapist
2
This course, designed for third-year students in field practicum, explores the professional use of clinical interventions from somatic, transpersonal, and holistic perspectives. Case material from the trainee’s current MFT placement will serve as the starting point for discussion, role-play, dyad work, and lecture. This course is taken concurrently with the student’s third quarter of field practicum.
HSJ 535X Final Integrative Project Ex
0.5
This is the second in a two-course sequence. Students complete their integrative paper and give an oral presentation on their topic. Students take this course when ready to complete their paper.
Year 3 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5304 Supervised Field Practicum D
2
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5351 Final Integrative Project B
1.5
This is the second in a two-course sequence. Students complete their integrative paper and give an oral presentation on their topic. Students take this course when ready to complete their paper.
HSJ 5100 Holistic Seminar
1
This course gives students in-depth exposure to various modalities of somatic and transpersonal counseling and provides practice in the application of clinical and educational skills to the psychotherapy of individuals, groups and families. Seminars will be offered on a variety of modalities, including, but not limited to, Hakomi, Feldenkrais, and meditation. Students will take two courses during their first year of study. This course must be taken for a total of four units.
HSJ 5400 Field Practicum Checkout
0
Year 3 - Winter
Units
HSJ 5302 Supervised Field Practicum B
2
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5350 Final Integrative Project A
1
This course examines the philosophical, personal, and professional issues raised in the course of graduate study in counseling psychology. Students develop an outline for an integrative paper that includes their understanding of holistic studies, transpersonal and somatic psychology, and their own personal growth work. This is the first in a two-course sequence.
HSJ 5315 Case Seminar: Individual
3
This course focuses on clinical case presentation for students in field placement. Case presentations from the student's current placement serve as a starting point for lecture, clinical discussion, exploration of diversity issues, role-play, and self-exploration within a transpersonal and somatic psychology perspective. This class supports students in acquiring professional competence in the important clinical skill of case presenting.
Year 3 - Summer
Units
HSJ 5304 Supervised Field Practicum D
2
Supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy in approved settings. Students gain first-hand knowledge and experience working with clients and receive weekly supervision by qualified, licensed therapists. Supervised field practicum spans four academic quarters. Permission required to register.
HSJ 5351 Final Integrative Project B
1.5
This is the second in a two-course sequence. Students complete their integrative paper and give an oral presentation on their topic. Students take this course when ready to complete their paper.
HSJ 5100 Holistic Seminar
1
This course gives students in-depth exposure to various modalities of somatic and transpersonal counseling and provides practice in the application of clinical and educational skills to the psychotherapy of individuals, groups and families. Seminars will be offered on a variety of modalities, including, but not limited to, Hakomi, Feldenkrais, and meditation. Students will take two courses during their first year of study. This course must be taken for a total of four units.
HSJ 5400 Field Practicum Checkout
0