11824_JFKU_Catalog Front Cover.indd - John F. Kennedy University

College of Graduate and Professional StudiesMaster of arts in Counseling Psychology – holisticSpecializations in expressive arts, holistic Studies,integral Psychotherapy, Somatic Psychology, andTranspersonal Psychologye Counseling Psychology - Holistic program offers a Master ofArts (MA) degree in Counseling Psychology - Holistic with fivespecializations: Expressive Arts and Holistic Studies (an integrationof somatic and transpersonal), offered at the San Jose campus,Integral Psychotherapy, Somatic Psychology and TranspersonalPsychology offered at the Pleasant Hill campus. Built on thetraditions of modern psychology, the foundation of thespecializations adds a holistic perspective that integrates body,mind, spirit, and culture into the curriculum.e MA degree in Counseling Psychology offered in this programis designed for students who are interested in workingpsychotherapeutically with individuals, couples, families, andgroups. Students receive a strong foundation in basic counselingtheory and practice while meeting the educational requirementsfor the CA MFT license. With some additional coursework,students can also meet the requirements of the California LicensedProfessional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license. Both licenses allowclinical work in private practice settings and county and communitybased agencies.e curriculum encompasses core courses in holistic studies, basiccounseling skills, diagnosis and assessment, marriage and familycounseling courses, and courses in the student’s chosenspecialization. e three-year program is divided into three areasof emphasis. year one focuses on basic counseling psychologytheory and the acquisition of personal therapy skills such asreceptivity, presence, tracking, and therapeutic communication.year two emphasizes the development of core clinical skills in thearea of assessment and treatment, marriage and familyinterventions, and training in the specializations. In the third yearstudents work in their supervised field placement and all coursesare focused on work with clients.Central to the program is the perspective that holistic learningoccurs both cognitively and experientially. Only through knowingoneself can the therapist obtain the clarity, compassion, and wisdomnecessary to help others. e curriculum therefore placessignificant emphasis upon the student’s self-exploration andpersonal growth combined with critical thinking and theacquisition of clinical skills. Graduates of the program knowthemselves well as skilled and capable professionals. eycompetently use the counseling skills of empathic listening, clearand direct communicating presence, and self-reflection. Graduatesunderstand and know professional theories of individual and familydevelopment and therapy, as well as develop basic professional skillsin clinical diagnosis and assessment. Students of the program alsolearn the importance of attunement to issues relating to diversity,ethnicity, and multiculturalism in providing professional services.ey know the laws of the State of California as they pertain to theprofession of counseling psychology and are practiced in makingethical choices and decisions.Field PlacementStudents in the MA in Counseling Psychology - Holistic degreeprogram gain therapeutic experience and develop clinical skillsthrough required 12 units of field placement. Students completetheir field placement at the University’s Center for HolisticCounseling in Oakland, Community Counseling Center inSunnyvale, or at another approved community-based site.e 12 units (four consecutive quarters) of supervised fieldplacement are integral to students’ clinical training. Students aretrained to conduct screening interviews, crisis intervention,assessment, referral, and community outreach. Students have ampleopportunity to share their clinical experience with other traineesand to receive feedback on their work from skilled practitioners.Working with the guidance of experienced, licensed therapists,trainees are assisted in developing therapeutic skills through avariety of means, including individual and group supervision,training sessions, individual and family case seminars, directobservation through one-way mirrors, and use of audio and video.Students may sometimes be required or have the option to take afifth quarter of field placement.Supplemental field placement is for students who wish to gainclinical experience in addition to their required 12 units of fieldpracticum and wish to count those hours of experience towardsBBS licensure. In order to be eligible a student must complete atleast 18 quarter units of graduate coursework in the counselingprogram. ose 18 units must include erapeutic CommunicationA–B (HSJ 5105–06, SPC 5323–24, or TPC 5213–14), GroupProcess A–C (HSJ 5101–03, SPC 5004–06, or TPC 5004–06), andEthics and the Law (HSJ 5235, HPC 5235, SPC 5631, or TPC 5235).After receiving permission from the field placement coordinatorand the program chair or director, a student must register for theone-unit supplemental fieldwork course for each quarter.individual Psychotherapye program considers it essential that a practicing therapistunderstand the therapy process on a first-hand and personal basis.All students in the counseling psychology program are required tocomplete at least 48 hours of weekly individual psychotherapy witha licensed therapist. In some cases students may be required tocomplete more than 48 hour minimum requirement. Studentsreceive no academic credit for this and must make financialarrangements directly with the therapist. Students must start theirpsychotherapy on or before the beginning of the second year in theprogram.Individual therapy gives students the opportunity to work onpersonal concerns and issues that may affect their work with clients.e therapist acts as an exemplar: students studying to becometherapists have an opportunity to extend their expertise by directsupervision from an experienced professional. ese hours can beapplied toward MFT licensing requirements if done with a fullylicensed practitioner.Spiritual/Somatic/arts Practice requirementIn keeping with the program’s recognition that dailyspiritual/somatic/arts practice is fundamental to growth inconsciousness, students in the program are required to practice adiscipline. Sitting meditation, somatic disciplines such as tai chi,yoga, aikido, or movement, arts based practices or the practice ofother comparable disciplines are all acceptable possibilities.Students determine which discipline best serves their needs and areCollege of Graduate andProfessional StudiesJOHN F. KENNEDy UNIvERSITy College of Graduate and Professional Studies 93