Humanistic & Transpersonal Psychology

The theoretical frame of reference of this concentration is focused on humanistic, existential, phenomenological, and transpersonal psychology, and a psychology of medicine from the perspective of mind, body, and spirit. From a clinical standpoint, applications of this intellectual framework apply to normal people engaged in a lifelong journey toward self-knowledge as well as to individuals in psychosocial or spiritual distress. The course of instruction is designed to direct student’s attention toward the growth-oriented dimension of personality and to the role of higher states of consciousness in achieving psychological balance, as well as transformation. Augmenting the usual offerings, which focus on behavior and cognition in psychology, we present dynamic theories that define personality as a total gestalt, in the context of a spectrum of states of consciousness beyond what are traditionally considered to be the psychopathic and the normal.

 

These states reach into the realm of self-actualization and the transcendent. Clinically, such a spectrum may be applied to an investigation of diverse fields that include indigenous healing, multicultural experiences, the emerging field of positive aging, particularly during the second half of life, refugee and resettlement issues, alternative family systems, workplace psychology, psychological services in police and crisis work, sports psychology, psychotherapy and the arts, spiritual counseling, and grief and bereavement. An emphasis on fostering humanistic and transpersonal principles in treatment and research is encouraged, because we believe they are an essential aspect of establishing a health care system that serves the highest and best interests of humanity.

 

The concentration is designed for professionals on various career paths in psychology, counseling, health, and related helping fields. Recent graduates have used their training in the independent practice of psychotherapy; serving in community health and mental health clinics; creating an innovative educational/psychological model for adolescents; teaching at the college level; consulting to health and mental health delivery systems; training group leaders for work with victims and perpetrators, developing integrative medical therapy; and applying clinical psychology to the study of policy makers.