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Bringing Together Modalities for Enhanced Mental Health Outcomes
Oriented for licensed mental health practitioners and individuals with a licensable mental health degree, our Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Mental Health Specialization program prepares you to apply supplementary approaches to existing regimens for individuals with mental health challenges.
Within the integrative mental health doctorate curriculum, you will study contemporary neuroscience, psychology, mind-body-spirit applications in psychotherapy, body-oriented approaches to psychotherapy, the contemporary neuroscience of eating disorders, sleep disorders, major depressive disorders, schizophrenia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, hormones and sex, the contemporary neuroscience of consciousness, therapist-client relationships, trauma and addictions, and more. Through this program, you will explore the core evidence-based complementary therapies, mind-body science courses, and integrative approaches to psychotherapy to augment existing therapy practices.
Integrative Mental Health Specialization Job Outcomes
Upon graduation, you will have an enhanced skill set and deepened perspective to enhance your current practice or, with the appropriate licensure, expand into other roles and settings, including:
- Education
- Coaching
- Consulting
- Private practice
- Integrative medicine and wellness centers
- Medical centers
- Hospitals
- Medical spas
- Corporate wellness programs
- Research
- Clinics
Other Mind-Body Medicine Programs
Interested in another specialization in Mind-Body Medicine? We offer multiple doctoral programs that may align more closely with your goals.
- Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Applied Psychophysiology Specialization
- Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Contemplative End-of-Life Care Specialization
- Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative and Functional Nutrition Specialization
- Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Wellness Coaching Specialization
- Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Mindful Leadership Specialization
*Credits earned may vary based on specialization courses chosen
Program Components
Admission requirements
At a minimum, you must have received, or anticipate receiving prior to the start of your Saybrook doctoral degree program, a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university before applying for a doctoral degree at Saybrook. Applicants for the Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Mental Health Specialization degree must submit the following documents:
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a master’s degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better
- Professional resume or CV
- Personal statement
- Writing sample (if the department chair determines the personal statement contains grammatical mistakes, spelling errors, or poorly organized text)
New students must provide official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level anatomy and/or physiology course in the past 10 years, with a minimum grade of B. Without this introductory science prerequisite course, you will need to add IFN 5704 Anatomy and Physiology as an elective within your first year. Alternatively, you may complete the basic anatomy and physiology course from Saybrook’s academic partner, StraighterLine.
Invest in Your Future
Saybrook University remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Cost
Saybrook wants you to have the information you need to make an informed decision about your academic and career aspirations. Our cost calculator provides an estimated cost of attending Saybrook to earn your Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Mental Health Specialization degree.
Career Outcomes
Saybrook University prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Saybrook University is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions specialist.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics annual data update
Sample courses
Contemporary Neuroscience-Psychology and the Brain
This three-credit course investigates the brain and nervous system with special emphasis on clinical examples and mind-body interactions. Beginning with the basic function of nerve cells (neurophysiology), you will be introduced to the process of cellular communication (the synapse and clinical neurochemistry), the structure of the nervous system (neuroanatomy), and the most current neuroimaging techniques. You will also explore the neuroscience of the senses, emotion, arousal, and stress.
Mind-Body-Spirit Applications in Psychotherapy
In this three-credit course, you will examine integrative approaches to psychotherapy. Topics to be explored include the historical, biopsychosocial-spiritual, cultural, and global contexts to promoting positive mental health outcomes; therapist-client relationship; non-ordinary states of consciousness; trauma and addictions; and the obstacles and ethical considerations in applying these approaches. You will also have an opportunity to present a case study through a videoconference presentation.
Body-Oriented Approaches to Psychotherapy
Body-oriented psychotherapy uses the pathway of connection with the body to approach psychological issues. This three-credit course provides you with a basic skill set to bring a somatic focus to your therapy sessions along with introductory knowledge of several body-oriented psychotherapy modalities. You will explore experiential exercises from some of the techniques with each other and with a volunteer, as well as study the history and theories underlying these practices and the research supporting these mind-body approaches to healing and well-being.
Catalog
Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Mental Health Specialization program.
FAQs
What is integrative mental health?
Integrative mental health incorporates a whole-person approach to treating those with acute and chronic mental health disorders. Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine: Integrative Mental Health Specialization doctoral program includes interdisciplinary coursework in such fields as clinical psychopharmacology, neuroscience, psychotherapy, spirituality, and more.
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University Learning Experience
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine degree program must attend any Community or Virtual Learning Experience required for the courses in which they choose to enroll. Refer to the course descriptions for requirements. All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a degree program orientation, are held online during the week ahead of the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged. New MBM students also participate in the Mind-Body-Spirit Integration (MBSI) Seminar. The MBSI consists of two full days of experiential learning (virtual or community learning experiences), and four, four-hour virtual sessions on consecutive Saturdays. Refer to the course description for requirements.
Mind-Body Medicine Faculty
Saybrook’s Mind-Body Medicine faculty are practitioner-scholars dedicated to advancing their field through continued practice and comprehensive instruction. Meet some of our faculty members below.
Full professor, Mind-Body Medicine
- Recipient, President's Award for Faculty Innovation
- Clinical member, United States Association for Body Psychotherapy
- Member, American Psychological Association, Association for Transpersonal Psychology, and Association for Humanistic Psychology
UNBOUND: Mind-Body Medicine
Guided confidently through our outcomes-based, person-centered approach, you will navigate the intersection of mental, emotional, and physical health to help care for those in need.
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