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4 Types Of Counseling And The Jobs To Pursue With an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

29 January 2024
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With many different types of counseling, students have plenty of options when it comes to clinical mental health counseling jobs after graduating with a master’s degree and passing licensure exams. If you’re unsure about which path is right for you, we’ve broken down four of the different fields of counseling and their respective jobs with salary data to help you decide what you’d like to pursue.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

Rehabilitation counseling is a specialized field dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to lead fulfilling and productive lives by maximizing their functional abilities. Whether the disability is mental, developmental, or emotional, the primary objective of rehabilitation counseling is to facilitate the client’s achievement of an optimal level of functioning within their unique circumstances.

If you pursue clinical rehab counseling, you could work with clientele ranging from children to seniors in a rehabilitation center, hospital, or senior citizen center. Each of these environments presents unique challenges and opportunities for professionals in this field. Professionals in this field collaborate with families, employers, and other stakeholders to create an environment that fosters the optimal functioning of individuals with disabilities.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor Salary

The average rehabilitation counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $39,990 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.* The employment rate is projected to grow at about an average rate for rehab counselors.

*Data gathered in 2022.

PTSD and Military Counseling

Military counselors play a crucial role in supporting active service members and veterans as they navigate the complex challenges associated with military service. This specialized field within trauma counseling is dedicated to addressing the unique mental health needs of individuals who have served in the armed forces. The scope of military counseling encompasses a broad range of issues, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the daily stressors inherent to military duty.

One of the key focuses of military counseling is to provide targeted interventions for mental, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Counselors in this field are trained to understand the intricacies of military life, such as combat exposure, deployment-related stress, and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian society. In addition to individual therapy, military counselors may also facilitate group therapy sessions, creating a supportive community where service members and veterans can share their experiences and learn from one another. These group settings provide a unique opportunity for individuals to connect with peers who have faced similar challenges, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding.

Military Counselor Salary

The average military life counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $49,286 annually according to the ZipRecruiter.* Depending on where professionals practice, the salary ranges from $26,000-$73,000.

*Data gathered in 2023.

Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance abuse counselors work with individuals who suffer from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Counselors in this field will help to identify problem behaviors that could be contributing to their addiction as well as create a proactive plan for coping with stress. Counselors work closely with clients to establish strategies and tools that empower them to navigate life’s stressors without resorting to substance use. This type of counseling may involve teaching effective stress management techniques, building healthy coping mechanisms, and developing a support network that encourages positive lifestyle changes. 

Substance abuse counselors not only work with the individual seeking treatment but also with their family. By educating families about addiction, facilitating open communication, and providing guidance on how to support their loved ones, substance abuse counselors contribute to the creation of a holistic and sustainable recovery environment. Group therapy is also a component of substance abuse counseling. Being in a group of people struggling with the same addictions can help clients in the healing process and also encourage camaraderie in cheering each other on during recovery. Substance abuse counselors might work in a rehabilitation center or hospital setting.

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary

The average substance abuse counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $49,710 annually according to  The Bureau of Labor Statistics.* The employment rate is projected to grow within the substance abuse counseling field by 18% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average.

*Data gathered in 2022.

Family Counseling

Marriage and family counselors play a crucial role in supporting couples and families as they navigate various challenges such as anxiety, depression, marital discord, and parent-child relationship issues. These professionals are trained to address the complexities of interpersonal dynamics within familial and spousal relationships. Counselors in this field could work in a private practice, hospital, or nonprofit organization. 

One of the primary focuses of marriage and family counselors is providing assistance during times of emotional distress within relationships. This could involve helping couples overcome communication barriers, manage conflicts, and navigate transitions such as parenthood or changes in family structure. To best help families, professionals must be experts on relationships and what makes a healthy relationship work, whether it be between partners or between parent and child.

Marriage and Family Counselor Salary

The average marriage and family counselor’s salary in the U.S. is $79,666  annually according to ZipRecruiter.* 

*Data gathered in 2023.

If you’re looking to pursue a career in counseling, an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling can help you along that path to success. At Saybrook University, you can continue your education journey with a completion time of three years. Saybrook’s hybrid online M.A. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Breaking Barriers in Nutrition Research: Dr. Amylee Amos Champions Accountability, Accessibility, and Planetary Health

19 January 2024
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AMYLEE AMOS, PH.D., 2023, INTEGRATIVE AND FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION

Amylee Amos, Ph.D., a dedicated registered dietitian nutritionist, pursued a Ph.D. at Saybrook University to immerse herself in research while balancing motherhood and a clinical practice.

“As a mom of two little kids, I really needed the flexibility of a fully online program,” Dr. Amos explains. “I also work in my own clinical practice and appreciate that Saybrook is set up in such a way that I was able to continue working while I was a student.”

Dr. Amos’ work combats nutrition misinformation, challenges the health care system, holds the food industry accountable, and reconciles public health with planetary health. Dr. Amos sheds light on the food industry’s tendency to shift blame onto consumers. She also is critical of rhetoric in medicine that blames individuals with chronic diseases.

“In functional medicine we often talk about the power of lifestyle and nutrition to influence disease risk. While this message is powerful and accurate, it can sometimes unintentionally place blame on the individual. This rhetoric isn’t fair because the food industry employs scientists to create hyperpalatable, calorie-dense foods that are designed to be addictive. I want to play a part in holding the food industry accountable for their tactics.”

Dr. Amos believes that functional medicine can support people where the conventional health care system falls short, primarily because the latter relies on “disease care” rather than “health care” and fails, in her view, to keep people healthy. She explains that accessibility to functional medicine is also key, but access is often cost-prohibitive to the average person because most functional medicine practitioners do not take insurance.

With this in mind, Dr. Amos posits that one untapped resource is group nutrition classes that incorporate digital media and are thusly more accessible. “I had the opportunity to conduct a pilot study using this formula with individuals with mild cognitive impairment, and we saw great results,” Dr. Amos says. “I would like to continue conducting these types of studies using different populations and eventually get to the point where the data, if favorable, can be used to offer subsidized programs.

Dr. Amos runs her own company called Amos Institute, which offers online nutrition courses, provides concierge nutrition services, and conducts nutrition research. The root of all her work is her care for people and advocating for their health and Saybrook’s educational approach and flexibility only helped to support her in her endeavours, particularly since she had two children while completing her Ph.D.

“I have incorporated the humanistic message of Saybrook into my research and clinical practice,” she says. “I am so grateful that I was at a university that allowed me to have such a flexible schedule. As much as I love my work and my research, there is nothing in the world that I love more than being my daughters’ mom.”

How Mindfulness Practices Can Help You Through Master’s Schooling

27 December 2023
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Master’s schooling can be both a rewarding and challenging journey. From demanding coursework to maintaining a work-life balance, students often find themselves searching for ways to manage stress and improve focus. This is where the art of mindfulness comes into play. Mindfulness for students is not just a buzzword but an essential tool and growing practice that can drastically transform your college experience.

Understanding Mindfulness

In today’s fast-paced digital world, grounding ourselves has never been more crucial. Mindfulness for college students is a pathway to such grounding. It’s about fully engaging with your current task without getting distracted by past regrets or future worries. Over the past decade, the value of mindfulness has been recognized, with many top universities even incorporating mindfulness courses and meditation rooms into their campuses.

The Power of Meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice rooted in various cultures and has gained global acclaim for its profound and proven impacts on mental and emotional well-being. When it comes to mindfulness for students, meditation offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance the learning process:

  • Enhanced Concentration and Focus: Dive deep into a subject without your mind wandering. This is one of the primary meditation benefits for students. The practice allows them to concentrate better, leading to more profound insights and understanding.
  • Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Master’s programs can be intense. Through meditation, students can find calm amid the storm, reducing overwhelming feelings.
  • Improved Memory Retention and Recall: The benefits of meditation for students also extend to memory. By calming the mind, students can process and store information more efficiently.

Mindfulness Practices for Students

Embracing mindfulness isn’t limited to sitting silently with closed eyes. There’s a vast array of mindfulness activities for college students that can be integrated seamlessly into their daily routines:

  • Guided Meditation Sessions: Use apps and websites that provide prerecorded or live meditation sessions that can even be tailored to various needs such as dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression.
  • Breath-focused Exercises: A cornerstone of mindfulness, focusing on one’s breath, even for a few minutes, can ground students, bringing clarity in tense situations. A common practice is counting each inhale and exhale and allowing yourself to return to your count when your mind starts to wander.
  • Daily Gratitude Journaling: This simple yet powerful practice of writing down things you’re grateful for can shift focus from challenges to blessings, fostering a positive mindset. Many people report feeling happier after implementing this practice as it allows them to look through the things they are often most grateful for.

For successful implementation of these mindfulness strategies for students, consistency and easing integration into your daily life are crucial:

  • Set a Specific Time: Dedicate a few minutes daily, be it morning or evening, for mindfulness practice. Daily mindfulness practices are easier to continue when you assign them to part of your daily routine.
  • Use Digital Aids: Leverage apps or online resources to guide you through sessions. There are several popular apps such as Headspace, Calm, and Waking Up.
  • Mindfulness in Daily Tasks: Turn mundane activities, like eating or walking, into mindful moments. It’s all about being present. Some simple practices include eating dinner without watching TV or checking your phone and taking walks where you only listen to the sounds of what is going on around you.

Benefits of Integrating Mindfulness Into Daily Routine

Incorporating these practices of mindfulness for students into your daily routine can lead to:

  • Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Mindfulness fosters self-awareness, allowing students to better understand and regulate their emotions. When you’re able to better deal with and identify your emotions you will be able to better understand other people’s emotions and make better decisions.
  • Better Conflict Resolution: Being present means being a better listener, leading to healthier interpersonal relationships. When your relationships are healthy, you will feel less anxious and happier about your life.
  • Greater Resilience: Academic challenges are inevitable. With mindfulness, students can navigate these hurdles with grace and poise. Students who can perform well under pressure tend to do better in their classes.

The Path Forward With Mindfulness

The academic world can be daunting. But tools like mindfulness—specially, tailored mindfulness practices for students—can make the journey smoother and more fulfilling. By investing a few minutes daily, students can enhance their academic performance and their overall well-being.

Ready to embrace the transformative power of mindfulness during your academic journey? Saybrook offers a range of resources, courses, and programs dedicated to mindfulness practices. Our degree program in mind-body medicine offers an opportunity to earn your master’s in mind-body medicine, several Ph.D. programs in mind-body medicine, as well as certificate programs for those looking to expand their skill sets in mind-body medicine. Click here to learn more and apply to one of our specialized programs. 

In the meantime, we have created a YouTube channel dedicated to providing you with guided meditations and mindfulness practices so you can begin your mindfulness journey today. Check out our three-part series where we go over crafting your vision for graduate success, empowerment through time management, and mind-body practices for self-care.

Dr. Margo Maine: Revolutionizing recovery

5 December 2023
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Margo Maine, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist specializing in eating disorders and related issues, has made significant contributions to the field over her 40-year career. As a pioneer in the field, she has written extensively on topics related to eating disorders and body image, challenging cultural messages, and advocating for prevention and treatment.

Dr. Maine’s journey as a psychologist began during her time pursuing her Ph.D. at Saybrook University. “I was really drawn to the existential and humanistic approach to things,” she says. She found Saybrook aligned with her holistic perspective on psychology. While little was known about eating disorders at the time of her studies, the faculty’s broad lens on mental health matters helped shape her understanding of the field.

During her studies at Saybrook, Dr. Maine was already working with individuals who had eating disorders. She recognized the need for research that focused on the lived experiences of those recovering from anorexia, as most existing studies only collected demographic data. Inspired by an  , she embarked on a groundbreaking dissertation conducting in-depth interviews with women who had recovered from anorexia. Dr. Maine recalled, “For him to say, ‘You should pick something you like and that you have some passion about’ … My eyes just opened up. I don’t think they’ve closed since.” This research was among the first of its kind to give a voice to patients and shed light on their experiences.

For Dr. Maine, Saybrook University provided the platform to develop her expertise in the field of eating disorders. The program’s emphasis on independent study allowed her to continue working while pursuing her doctoral degree. Her experience at Saybrook also honed her writing skills, a talent she had always possessed but sought to refine. Dr. Maine reflected, “Because Saybrook did so much of our evaluation based on our writing, it was a really good fit for me.” The school’s focus on writing challenged her to improve her craft, ultimately leading her to become a successful author of eight books, including the recently published “Hair Tells a Story: Hers, Yours, and Ours.”

Throughout her career, Dr. Maine has been involved in the founding of several organizations and initiatives dedicated to eating disorder prevention and treatment. She is a founder of and former adviser to the National Eating Disorders Association, a founder and fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders, and a former board member of the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action.

Dr. Maine’s contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, the Lori Irving Award for Excellence in Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention in 2007, the Don and Melissa Nielsen Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, and the NEDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. She is also a 2016 honoree of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

Currently, Dr. Maine maintains a private practice, Maine & Weinstein Specialty Group, in West Hartford, Connecticut. She continues to lecture nationally and internationally on eating disorders and works tirelessly to advocate for the field, challenge cultural norms, and promote body positivity.

Dr. Maine’s journey from her time at Saybrook University to her impactful career in the field of eating disorders is a testament to her dedication, pioneering spirit, and commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by eating disorders. Her work has not only helped shape the field but has also given a voice to those who have struggled with these disorders, paving the way for greater understanding and improved treatment options.

After decades working as a psychologist, Dr. Maine still feels a profound sense of fulfillment from her work. She remains committed to helping patients one-on-one in private practice. Dr. Maine explains, “To help people get their lives back is really just an amazing process. For people to trust you and be vulnerable with you is such an important and intimate journey.” Despite all her expertise, Dr. Maine insists that there is always more to learn.

Career Paths in Mind-Body Medicine

8 November 2023
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Mind-body medicine is an evidence-based approach to wellness and healthcare that integrates physical health with mental health. This healthcare practice focuses on the connection between mind and body and how one can influence and change the state of the other. Looking at a person’s wellness in this approach offers a holistic view of a patient’s well-being. With this ever-growing field of medicine, there are many career options within mind-body medicine to explore. The Saybrook online M.S. and Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine teaches prospective healthcare professionals how to integrate the philosophy, science, and techniques of mind-body medicine into their careers.

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Health and Wellness Coach

This career path is often started independently in a private practice or as a consultant, so it is the right path for someone who wants to be their own boss. A health and wellness coach works with individuals to utilize mind-body practices to advise on their health and well-being. This role involves creating personalized wellness plans for all aspects of the mind and body, including a fitness regimen, meditation techniques, a nutrition plan, stress and sleep management, etc.

Health and wellness coaches can also work as consultants, which might involve consulting in various settings, one of which would be a corporate capacity. A corporate wellness consultant works with companies to help provide health and wellness guidelines for employees in the workplace. 

Mindfulness Instructor

A common career path that leads to working in integrative medicine and wellness centers is a mindfulness instructor. Mindfulness is a mind-body practice in which a person concentrates and focuses on their current thoughts, feelings, or environment to increase awareness of stressors/patterns. Mindfulness is a technique often used to combat stress and anxiety, but could also be used for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and depression. 

A mindfulness instructor works to create classes and leads in mindfulness and meditation sessions, teaching clients how to bring their thoughts and feelings to the forefront of their minds. Whether the mindfulness classes are individual or group, a mindfulness instructor must assess progress amongst clients to adjust teachings accordingly.

Holistic Health Educator

A holistic health educator is a great career path for someone wanting to work in a hospital setting. The role involves working with individual patients on their overall health and wellness, which includes promoting better lifestyle choices through nutrition, fitness, spirituality, mindfulness, and fostering healthy relationships. Different from most healthcare workers in a hospital, a holistic health educator doesn’t treat a single ailment but rather uses mind-body medicine techniques to promote overall wellness. 

Holistic health educators could also work in a teaching capacity at a hospital to other healthcare providers. In this role, educators will hold lessons with the healthcare workers at a hospital to impart knowledge and techniques on mind-body medicine so they can incorporate them into their treatment plans.

Medical Spa Therapist

A spa therapist in a medical spa, also known as a med spa, performs any nonmedical procedures within a med spa such as massages, facials, and other skin treatments. The spa therapist works with clients through a consultation to create a personalized treatment and assists the licensed physician in any medical procedures like laser skin treatments, and Botox. 

This is a specialized field within mind-body medicine that will likely require certifications to pursue, depending on which state you are going to practice. Check with the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards to see what requirements are needed in your state.

Athletic Mindset Trainer

An athletic mindset trainer or coach is someone who works closely with athletes to train their mindset and build up confidence. Many athletes experience mental blocks, causing their athletic performance to suffer. A practical example of this was when Simone Biles had a bad case of the Twisties in the 2021 Olympics and had to back out of the competition. With so much pressure and stress on athletes, it’s extremely important to utilize mind-body techniques to avoid potential injury and performance issues.

University Instructor

If practical work isn’t the mind-body medicine career path for you, teaching others theory and practical knowledge could be a rewarding career for you. Working in a university setting, a mind-body medicine instructor is responsible for creating lesson plans, real-life practicum, student evaluation, and keeping up with new research and theories within the mind-body medicine field.

Often, to become an MBM university professor, you must pursue a Ph.D. in mind-body medicine or a related field to secure employment.

Pursue a Degree in Mind-body Medicine Today

The start of a career in mind-body medicine begins with pursuing a degree in the field. At Saybrook University, we offer an M.S. in Mind-body Medicine and a Ph.D. Mind-Body Medicine. We also offer mind-body medicine certificate programs for any working professionals who are looking to expand their knowledge base and experience. With many different educational paths to choose from and a flexible environment of either in-person or online classes, it’s easier than ever to start your mind-body medicine career journey.

Dr. Alexander ‘Alec’ Spradling: Maximizing mental fitness

31 October 2023
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Alexander “Alec” Spradling, Ph.D., has had a diverse career path, but he found his true calling as a professional coach who works with those who want to realize their potential through active skill development and positive behavior change. Dr. Spradling chose to attend Saybrook University because of its intellectually rigorous Human Science program. Reflecting on his time at Saybrook, he says, “What remains is what I learned from my teachers and the academic environment about the love of learning and the importance of intellectual freedom.”

Prior to completing his studies at Saybrook in 1990, Dr. Spradling explored various careers, including a short stint as a professional photographer. However, it is his current role as a life and executive coach that he finds most fulfilling. He has worked closely with individuals and managers in organizations such as Google, Coupa, and Facebook, coaching his clientele in personal empowerment to improve their mindsets and overall work-life balance, and manage their careers with greater engagement, focus, and productivity.

Dr. Spradling focuses his work on areas such as mental fitness, communication, leadership, and organizational behavior. In his coaching sessions and workshops, he uses proven techniques based on neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy to provide guidance and insights to help his clients set objectives and regulate their emotions regarding their work, all while adapting to their specific needs. Dr. Spradling emphasizes the importance of refining his skills. He says, “My focus is on continuing to work as long as I can while continuing to hone my craft and enjoy every moment I practice.”

Besides conducting coaching sessions in multiple languages, Dr. Spradling’s unique background has given him greater insights into cultural nuances and business practices throughout the world. Having lived in several countries, Dr. Spradling also has personal experience of what it feels like to be a “stranger in a strange land.” Dr. Spradling’s multicultural background has had a significant impact on his working life. He finds comfort working with people from different cultures and believes that speaking multiple languages helps him to connect with and gain the trust of individuals who can relate to his background.

When asked about his greatest professional achievement, Dr. Spradling emphasizes the ability to bring his whole self to coaching. He feels that he can use everything he has experienced and learned in his life to help others achieve their coaching goals, such as transitioning to higher levels within their business and withstanding industry turbulence. On a personal level, Dr. Spradling values the kind of person he has become, stating that it is essential to him because, “at the end of this journey, I suspect it is the only thing that matters.”

Applying what he learned at Saybrook in his work as a coach, Dr. Spradling highlights the importance of values such as intellectual freedom and rigor when it comes to decision-making. He believes these values are needed today more than ever and uses them with himself and in helping his clients. He emphasizes the importance of managing one’s mind “so that your thoughts and emotions don’t cloud too much your perception of reality. If you can do that well enough, you won’t need to worry much about being positive.”

Dr. Spradling also has written extensively on leadership, accountability, and organizational behavior. His writing highlights his expertise on these topics and proposes solutions to common problems and practices that frequently affect individuals and organizations.

Dr. Spradling’s journey from Saybrook University graduate to professional coach showcases his commitment to lifelong learning, multicultural understanding, and a positive mindset. Through his coaching practice, he continues to make a positive impact on the lives of others while embracing the values instilled in him during his time at Saybrook.

Drug Decriminalization: Brave New World or Grave New Worry?

30 October 2023
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How will decriminalization and legalization change our views of once-illegal drugs, and how will we use them to soothe what ails us?

After 50 years and a trillion dollars spent, the war on drugs is over. And the drugs won. The question now is what society will look like under a more permissive enforcement policy. Will the legalization or decriminalization of these once-criminalized substances lead to a reduction in the use of hard drugs and alcohol? Will we come to view recreational use of these drugs as therapeutic? And perhaps most importantly, what role can mind-altering drugs play in nurturing the human organism, and when should they be avoided?

In 1971, after former President Richard Nixon declared drug abuse to be public enemy No. 1 and launched the war on drugs, the use of drugs that had either been legal just a few years earlier or had been widely used for generations suddenly brought stiff penalties for use and even stricter penalties for their sale. This new regime of zero tolerance also ended decades-long research into the effectiveness of some of the banned substances in treating depression, addiction, and other disorders.

While the laws drove users and some researchers into the shadows, they did little to curtail casual usage or the curiosity of those who believe in the curative power of certain criminalized substances. Widely used party drugs psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”), MDMA (also called molly or ecstasy), and ketamine (Special K) are now broadly used in clinical settings to treat depression, addiction, and PTSD.

“Many people view drug use through a moral lens by seeing all drug use as a corrupt behavior,” says Kelly Serafini, Ph.D., professor of clinical psychology at Saybook University who specializes in addiction. “The use of addictive drugs, and the efficacy of medications to treat addiction, is a very complex and nuanced conversation. With these emergent questions about the use of drugs to treat addiction, it’s important to examine the evidence base, the known risks, and the anticipated benefits.”

While the legal landscape is shifting and our understanding of the uses and harms of these substances is evolving, it is worth taking a look at how drugs once seen as playthings of the counterculture are entering mainstream society.

Cannabis

Driven in part by the wide use of cannabis among the nation’s youth in the 1960s, the Nixon administration came down hard on marijuana, classifying it as a Schedule 1 narcotic (in the same category as cocaine and heroin) under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). However, the public at large has not viewed cannabis as the menace to society the law suggests. Even Nixon’s former White House counsel John Ehrlichman was later quoted as saying, “Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), marijuana “has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.” At the same time, it is legal for recreational use in 23 states, with these states reaping billions in tax revenue annually. Marijuana is also the most widely used of those drugs that have been legalized. Surveys vary but in general suggest that half of all adults in the country have at least tried marijuana.

Medical benefits of cannabis are said to include alleviating the symptoms of chemotherapy, managing chronic pain, and treating sleep disorders. However, Dr. Serafini warns that cannabis purchased on the street or even in a legal dispensary where products are intended to get the user high may pose some risk of addiction. Most of the products with medicinal properties are derivatives without the psychoactive effects, including cannabidiol (CBD). “There are some research studies supporting the use of CBD with several medical conditions,” Dr. Serafini says. “But that doesn’t mean that all cannabis use is medicinal. In my work with adolescents, many have told me, ‘marijuana’s medicine.’ But just because cannabis has some therapeutic components doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Smoking has many harmful effects, and we know that THC can have negative health effects too.

Psilocybin

Derived from “magic mushrooms,” psilocybin has been used in research for more than 70 years, including limited studies that survived the near-total shutdown of psychedelic studies following the CSA. As detailed in a previous article for UNBOUND, researchers discovered in the late 1940s and early 1950s that psychedelics were effective in treatment of addiction and depression.

Fifty years after most of these efforts were shut down, psychedelics (principally psilocybin) have regained a foothold in medical research, typically dispensed in a clinical setting with one or two clinicians present. In addition to depression and addiction, psychedelics can also be effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorders and are being used more frequently in end-of-life care.

Courses of treatment are short, sometimes just one session. However, there is a movement outside of medical settings, based on theories advanced in the 1960s, to use small doses at regular intervals. Called “microdosing,” the practice generally involves using 10% of a full dose once every three days.

Dr. Serafini stated that changes to existing laws now allows for more scientific investigations. It will be necessary to have randomized, controlled trials to more fully evaluate efficacy of these treatments. “I think it’s important to have well-developed scientific studies to answer many of the questions we have about these new treatments,” she says but adds, “I personally don’t think there’s a “miracle drug” for addiction, but I do believe that there are medicines that can help.”

Cynthia Kerson, Ph.D., associate professor of applied psychophysiology, whose academic focus and practice have been in biofeedback, believes the jury is still out on psilocybin and mircodosing. However, at a recent conference, she attended a presentation on the topic by a neurosurgeon who described the benefit of the practice. Dr. Kerson believes there needs to be research in the area of microdosing with complementary psychophysiological training. “If it breaks negative patterns, great,” Dr. Kerson says. “You’re not going to microdose for the rest of your life, but for the rest of your life you will know the skill of self-regulation.”

Ketamine

Though widely used as a party drug, ketamine was originally developed as an anesthetic. The fact that it already has a medical application helped to speed its off-label use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In 2019, a ketamine nasal spray was approved for prescription use, but it must be administered in a clinic by a practitioner. Treatments average $600 each and are not covered by insurance. A typical course of treatment is six sessions, which means nearly $4,000 out of pocket. The cost raises questions about the financial burden on those requiring treatment but also questions of equity for those who cannot afford the treatment. It also incentivizes nonprescriptive use.

“I have some colleagues that work in ketamine clinics, and they really think about it as the ketamine helps the client get into a space to receive the psychotherapy more effectively,” Dr. Serafini says. “Psychotherapy is still a really huge component of the therapeutic process, and the ketamine is seen as an adjunct in helping to facilitate that outcome.”

MDMA

Classified as an empathogen because of how it stimulates dopamine and serotonin, MDMA gained wide usage as a club drug in the 1980s. In recent years, it has been designated as a breakthrough therapy in the treatment of PTSD, and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is currently running phase 3 clinical trials.

“One reason why I like psychotherapy in particular is that what we know from any medication is that, usually, when you stop the treatment, you also stop receiving the effects, and symptoms can reoccur,” Dr. Serafini says, “whereas with psychotherapy, we see a “sleeper effect.” so This means that we have research to support that people who finish a course of psychotherapy continue to improve even after they finish their course of psychotherapy. That’s because they’ve developed greater awareness of their triggers, they’ve learned new coping skills, and they have learned what works for them.”

The quest for healthier minds

This year, Saybrook University is launching a nationwide effort to stress the advantage of integrative health care. The core principle behind this initiative is that efforts that treat the body and mind together are most effective, and clinicians in a broad range of specializations should be open to new ways of thinking and collaboration.

“We have so many modalities in biofeedback,” Dr. Kerson says. “We have muscle reeducation, heart rate variability, skin conductance, brainwave biofeedback, and brain stimulation. We have all these different tools, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t bring them in. I mean, we use psychotherapy—why not use microdosing or cognitive behavioral therapy along with biofeedback?”

Dr. Serafini believes an integrative approach is a boon to treating addiction. “Traditionally, our healthcare system treated addiction and mental health separately,” she says, but an integrative approach would allow the addiction and mental health experts to inform each other.

To learn more about the programs at Saybrook University, fill out the form below.

5 Career Paths for Those With an M.S. In Sport Performance Psychology

8 September 2023
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A degree in sport performance psychology can be the start of a wide variety of sport psychology careers. By utilizing the tenets of mind-body science, a graduate with an M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology has the qualifications to optimize the performance of their future clients with research and science. An M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology can assist you in pursuing or enhancing your career along these five paths:

  • Head Coach
  • Personal Trainer
  • Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)
  • Academia
  • Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)

What Is a Sport Performance Psychology Degree?

A sport performance psychology degree is an education program built on maximizing an athlete’s competitive execution by enhancing their mind and body. The M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology prepares students to analyze a patient’s performance and health levels and then scientifically optimize them based on their knowledge and skills.

Utilizing traditional mind-body sciences combined with psychophysiology, Saybrook graduates have a deep understanding of how the brain and body work together, and how that can influence overall sports performance. This is an ideal field of study for someone looking to work with athletes, artists, military personnel, and performers.

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Head Coach

A head coach of any sports team is responsible for planning and managing team development during competitions, providing feedback to players on their performance, recruiting other team members if needed, maintaining equipment, and reserving practice space, all while enforcing good sportsmanship.

Head coaches can work with youth, collegiate, or professional athletes at various levels. The years of experience and education required are determined by the age and competition level of the team. Most employers require head coaches to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Some sports, such as soccer, require multiple-level licensing as well as certifications in CPR and first aid. Some programs may require coaches to further their sports education, e.g., obtaining a football certification.

How Much Does a Head Coach Make?

The national average salary for a head coach is $44,890, according to USN.

*Data gathered in 2023.

Personal Trainer

As an expert in personal wellness and exercise, a personal trainer works with clients, either during individual sessions or during semi-private group sessions, to help them achieve their fitness goals. These fitness goals can range from bodybuilding to having a desired body mass index (BMI). A good personal trainer develops a relationship with clients and works together with them to flesh out realistic fitness goals, making sure clients are both happy with their results and are seeing an improvement in their health.

Personal trainers may have the freedom to work in a wide variety of settings, such as local or regional gyms, personal studios, fitness centers, or even at the client’s home. Besides helping their clients to perfect their form and push them to work their hardest (within reason), personal trainers will also help their clients focus on more long-term goals, such as setting up a diet that works with their desired lifestyle and creating a workout schedule that can show their desired results.

How Much Does a Personal Trainer Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fitness trainers make an average of $46,480 a year. The job outlook for personal trainers is expected to grow by 14% by 2033, which is much faster than the average job growth rate.

*Data gathered in 2023.

Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)

Someone with certification as a Performance Enhancement Specialist becomes an expert in athletic training, having knowledge of performance exercise techniques. As a specialized coach, a PES goes beyond the standard workout regimens, diving deeper into athletic performance testing and training to bring your clients to the next level of performance.

Not only will you focus on the physical aspect of performance, but you will also work closely with your clients to work on their diet and even the psychological aspects of their motivation. A performance enhancement specialist uses knowledge from sport psychology to help clients overcome personal struggles that go beyond the gym, so they can work to be the best version of themselves.

How Much Does a Performance Enhancement Specialist Make?

The national average salary is $68,249, according to ZipRecruiter.

*Data gathered in 2025.

Sport and Performance Psychology Academia

A career in sports and psychology doesn’t always mean you have to work in a gym or with clients on the track. Getting a degree in sport performance psychology can be the start of a long and successful career in academia. With this degree as a stepping stone to graduate school, you can work in a variety of fields, helping to expand and teach the next generation of professional athletic trainers who are pushing the boundaries of professional athleticism.

As a professor in sport performance psychology, you have the opportunity to receive grants and funding to help push your own passions and interests in the field of sports performance by conducting independent research that could potentially help to advance the field and change the way professional athletes train and look at performance.

How Much Does a Professor Make?

The national average salary for a university professor is $84,380, according to the BLS.* According to the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, the median compensation for mental performance work in academia was $105,000 a year.**
*Data gathered in 2023.
**Data gathered in 2020.

Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)

With a master’s degree or doctorate in sports psychology and national-level certification from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) helps clients focus on their personal and professional goals.

CMPCs work with athletes and other professional performers to overcome personal struggles that they feel are getting in the way of their performance. This can range from psychological barriers (such as performance anxiety, mental exhaustion, or depression) to more physical issues (recovering from an injury or a desired increase in mobility). Using the skills acquired during their studies at Saybrook, a CMPC’s career in sports psychology can be both rewarding and challenging.

How Much Does a Certified Mental Performance Consultant Make?

According to the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, the median income for CMPCs is $85,000 a year.
*Data gathered in 2020.

Pursuing a Sport Performance Psychology Job

As a school that focuses on the nuanced complexities of human beings, Saybrook has celebrated more than 50 years of success, creating a positive impact in the lives of both our students and their future patients. Developing a range of skills from biofeedback to athletic counseling, a graduate of Saybrook’s M.S. in Sport Performance Psychology is prepared for a range of comprehensive careers in and out of sports psychology. Do you want to help change people’s lives through science? Learn more today.

Graduates may also be interested in pursuing a doctorate in Applied Psychophysiology, Mind-Body Medicine, Integrative and Functional Nutrition, or similar programs.

Career Path
Head Coach
Personal Trainer
PESAcademiaCMPC
Minimum Degree NeededBachelor’s or Master’sMaster’s degreeMaster’s degreeMaster’s or Ph.D.Master’s degree
Licensure or Certification NeededMay need certification or licensingCertification may be necessaryN/AN/ACertification
Average Salary$44,890*$46,480*$68,249**$105,000***$85,000***

*Data gathered in 2023.

**Data gathered in 2025.

***Data gathered in 2020.

Saybrook Kicks off Nationwide Campaign to Address the Mental Health Crisis

17 August 2023
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A symposium devoted to addressing the need for self-care among mental health professionals and the value of integrative health care seeks to provide solutions to a crisis.

As the U.S. faces a mental health crisis and a lack of trained professionals to deal with it, Saybrook University will undertake an initiative over the next two years called Integrative Mental Health for All. As part of the initiative, Saybrook President Nathan Long, Ed.D., faculty, alumni, and students will travel the country, to examine the state of mental health and integrative health. The goal is to identify opportunities and challenges and develop strategies for action to address the crisis.

This nationwide effort, called the President’s Symposium on Integrative Mental Health, kicked off online on May 19, 2023, with a discussion of the growing demand for mental health services in the U.S., the need to train more professionals to close the gap, and why an integrative mental health model is the best prescription for treating the mind and body.

The event opened with a welcome from Charlotte Hamilton, Ph.D., dean of the College of Social Sciences, and Donald Moss, Ph.D., dean of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences, and a mindfulness meditation presented by Luann Fortune, Ph.D., and Dr. Moss. The seminar then featured three conversations addressing the most urgent issues currently facing educators and practitioners.

Self-care for caregivers

The first panel, Addressing Burnout and Secondary Trauma, was presented by Stephen Brown, Ed.D., associate professor of behavioral sciences at California Baptist University, and Trent Nguyen, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Integrative Social Work at Saybrook University. Dr. Nguyen began by noting the instructions airplane passengers receive before takeoff to—in the event of an emergency—secure their own oxygen masks before assisting their children. While seemingly counterintuitive, Dr. Nguyen explains that this message is necessary to ensure that the parent remains fully capable to provide care for the child. In a similar way, social workers tackling difficult cases cannot be effective unless they are prioritizing their own mental health.

To illustrate this point, Dr. Brown brought up secondary traumatic stress disorder, which can be caused by indirect exposure to trauma through firsthand accounts. The effects can mimic post-traumatic stress disorder. Accompanying concerns are compassion fatigue, in which health care responders become overwhelmed with the number of people in need they encounter over a prolonged period of time, and vicarious trauma, in which mental health professionals and other care providers assume the emotional burdens of clients who have experienced sexual assault, physical abuse, and child neglect.

“When I was in graduate school, we did not talk about taking care of ourselves,” Dr. Brown says. “The focus was always on the client. When I started feeling a lack of energy and motivation, I didn’t know what was wrong.” The challenges for younger social workers are made more acute by the fact that they are often assigned the toughest cases.

Fortunately, much has improved over the last few decades, Dr. Brown says, noting that every facility he works in now has a meditation room. To insulate themselves against the stresses of profession, he urges social workers to “pay attention to the physical mode where nutrition and exercise are key as well as the mental aspect and the spiritual side.”

Stay active and well

The second panel, Supporting Wellness in Social Justice in Activism Work, was presented by Joel Federman, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Transformative Social Change, and Theopia Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Clinical Psychology. Dr. Federman stressed the importance of supporting wellness and social justice to stay grounded and emotionally healthy to carry on the work of social activism in a challenging time. “It’s very difficult to be a human being let alone an activist for social justice when stress is literally in the air all around us,” Dr. Federman says.

The liberatory approach Dr. Federman espouses was popularized by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire and is grounded on three core principles: the learning process is nonideological; teachers learn and work alongside their students, not in front of them; and the core belief is that a better world is possible.

Dr. Jackson focused her presentation on individual and collective hearing through the power of ritual. Collective healing refers to seeing the well-being and health of community members as a shared responsibility with the objective of collective empowerment. In other words, she says, “We are not helping someone else as much as we are being helped.”

As an exercise in visualization, Dr. Jackson invited attendees to think about what collective healing, collective care, and collective wellness would look like in their work. “I would submit to you that collective care, collective healing includes self,” because, she says, “We are each other’s best medicine.”

A nationwide effort is needed

The third and final panel of the day served as the kickoff for the national tour of the President’s Council on Integrative Mental Health Panel, moderated by Dr. Moss and Dr. Long and featuring guest Kimberly N. Frazier, Ph.D., president of the American Counseling Association, and C.J. Davis, Psy.D., president and CEO of Burrell Behavioral Health.

Dr. Davis calls the mental health crisis the second curve of the pandemic. “Normally about 15% of people will experience a concerning psychiatric symptom,” he says. “If you look at the data today, it’s anywhere between 40 and 50, which essentially means one out of every two individuals in America are experiencing a distressing, self-reported psychiatric symptom, and that is really impacting the demand for services.”

Dr. Moss cited the surgeon general’s statistics that during the pandemic there was a 50% increase in emergency room visits for suicide attempts by teenage girls and a doubling of anxiety and depression for teens of both genders. This increase has not been met with an increase in care. “A recent APA [American Psychological Association] study showed that 60% of psychologists have no openings for new clients,” Dr. Moss says. “I talked to a Saybook graduate who opened a practice a week ago and already has a three-month waiting list.”

Dr. Frazier pointed out that the crisis is particularly acute in communities of color. “We don’t have enough people who are trained to meet Black and brown communities where there is a stigma associated with just seeking out mental health services,” she says. “People don’t know what to look for in terms of triggers—the behaviors that go on before something blows up into a big issue.”

What’s next for integrative care?

The members of the panel agreed that integrative approaches to health care were successful. But part of the problem, Dr. Frasier believes, is that integrative models are not taught enough in the health care education system. “What needs to happen is that we graduate people who are thinking from that perspective already,” she says.

Going forward, much of the conversation will center on the importance of self-care for mental health care providers, that models for integrative health should include providers of psychological and medical services co-located or partnered in virtual models, and, importantly, that these services be accessible to all.

To learn more about programs at Saybrook University, fill out the form below.

Sport Performance Psychology: Training the Body and Mind for Maximum Performance

15 August 2023
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The new Sport Performance Psychology program at Saybrook University will train those who train athletes to perform at their peak.

A new program at Saybook University, the Master of Science in Sport Performance Psychology, will teach the next generation of coaches and sport performance trainers to guide their athletes to perform at their best by emphasizing psychophysiology, which maps the intersection between the mind and physical response.

Why does one figure skater land a triple axel to win an Olympic medal while another fails under the pressure of having a billion eyes upon them? How does a below-average hitter go on a hot streak at the right moment to be named World Series MVP? Determining the fine line between executing a clutch performance and “choking” has long been a preoccupation of athletes, coaches, and sport psychologists. There are few human traits more prized or elusive than the ability to excel over equally gifted competitors, and those who can train athletes to deliver consistently excellent performances are in high demand.

Saybrook’s Sport Performance Psychology program will also offer insights to those in a wider range of professions, including members of the military and the performing arts, to maximize their talents. “This program is a natural outgrowth of the optimal performance specializations that are part of the Saybrook philosophy, just a little more focused on the optimal functioning related to competition and sports,” says Eric Willmarth, Ph.D., chair of Saybrook’s Department of Psychophysiology and head of the new program. ”It’s the opposite of treating pathology where most of psychology is focused. And looking at the other side of things is taking people who are above normal already and trying to improve their capabilities as much as possible.”

A brief history of performance optimization in sports

In the 1960s, a wave of technological advances led to a revolution in measuring human responses and performance. At the same time, the stigma of consulting with psychologists about mental barriers to peak performance waned. With biofeedback technology, experts in athletic performance gained the ability to track in real time the relationship between the brain and physical response. These experts therefore could demonstrate to an athlete how changes in thinking and behavior affected the athlete’s performance.

“The equipment emerged that allowed us to study the mind-body connections better,” says Don Moss, Ph.D., dean of the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences. “The physiological measurements are very valuable to a sport psychologist, and yet most of the academic programs cover the psychological concepts but don’t cover the basic psychophysiology. That’s where our program offers something valuable that’s not available elsewhere.”

Why the Sport Performance Psychology program is the right fit for coaches and trainers

While the focus of the curriculum is on improving the performance of already high-performing individuals, the program itself is for coaches and trainers, i.e., the people who train the athletes. By the nature of their profession, people in these roles are good at relating the technical details of how to excel physically, whether they are training tennis players or opera singers. However, they generally are not trained in psychology for sports or even the biofeedback that can be so essential to gauge what might be holding an athlete back from a psychophysiological standpoint.

The Sport Performance Psychology program’s principles apply to anyone’s health

Dr. Moss hopes that students in the program will apply the principles they have learned to their own health and well-being. “We constantly remind our students to practice the skills themselves and integrate them into their own life,” he says. “We find that if the trainer is able to relax their physiology, reduce their stress response, use imagery to enhance their performance, they will also use it more effectively with those that they train, whether they’re high-school athletes or college athletes or pros.”

Dr. Willmarth expects early interest in the Master of Science in Sport Performance Psychology program from three groups: high-school coaches; members of the military who focus more and more on human performance; and those who are beginning a career in sport performance training and seeking a knowledge base and credentials to get started.

Dr. Moss agrees and thinks the appeal may be even broader. “This is a fun degree,” he says. “When you think about it, our graduates will help people run quicker, jump higher, and swim faster. That’s exciting.”

To learn more about Sport Performance Psychology or any other program at Saybrook University, fill out the form below.