Studying Consciousness, Spirituality, & Integrative Health Modalities
The School of Psychology & Interdisciplinary Inquiry offers both masters and doctoral students an option to declare a Specialization in Consciousness, Spirituality, and Integrative Health (CSIH). You may select many paths through this Specialization based upon your interests. While a Specialization is not required to earn your degree, it will be listed on your transcript if you complete the requirements.
The CSIH Specialization takes an integrated (mind, body, and spirit) approach to understanding individual, cultural, and transcultural perspectives to wellness. The integrated study of consciousness, spirituality, and health offers ways of understanding people’s inner worlds as accessed through such methods as depth psychology, self-regulation, inner healing, mental imaging, the arts, dream work, and contemplative practice.
The study of consciousness as it relates to people’s outer world is approached through methods ranging from psychophysiology and other empirical investigations, ethnography, and historiography to explorations of work and community life, interpersonal relationships, spiritual beliefs, and social action. Given the diverse array of course offerings, students are able to create a Specialization path that suits their particular interests and career goals.
This Specialization allows students to focus on the study of complementary approaches to healing that have not been regarded as standard within mainstream medical and psychological care. Additional alternative health practices relevant to psychological and physical health that are studied include meditation, nutrition, energy medicine (therapeutic touch, healing touch, and energy channeling), and many others. Mind/body therapies like these are being integrated rapidly into health care settings, from imagery, hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, mindfulness, and health coaching, to expressive therapies such as music, dance, art, and indigenous ceremonies. Students may also explore spirituality, including its role in physical and psychological health, personal relationships, organizational functioning, and communities.
Although not intended as preparation for licensure, studies in this Specialization can be applied to the work of psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals. Studies can also be applied to peace work, pastoral care, spiritual counseling, conflict resolution, education, consulting, and organizational work.
CSIH Faculty:
Robert Schmitt, Ph.D. (Co-Director)
Eric Willmarth, Ph.D. (Co-Director)
Julie Beischel, Ph.D.
Abbe Blum, Ph.D.
Leslie Allan Combs, Ph.D.
Marie DiCowden, Ph.D.
Patrick Faggianelli, Ph.D.
Richard Horevitz, Ph.D.
Jurgen Kremer, Ph.D.
Stanley Krippner, Ph.D.
Jacquie Lewis, Ph.D.
Ann Masai, Ph.D.
Ruth Richards, Ph.D., M.D.
Donald Rothberg, Ph.D.
Marina Smirnova, Ph.D.
Allyson Washburn, Ph.D.
Ian Wickramasekera II, Psy.D.
To find out whether the Consciousness, Spirituality, & Integrative Health Specialization is right for you, please email admissions@saybrook.edu or call 800.825.4480.
