J o h n F K e n n e d y U n i v e r s i t y

Holistic Studies SpecializationThe Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specializationin Holistic Studies prepares students for careers aspsychotherapists, with a special emphasis on transpersonaland somatic approaches to psychotherapy. This program isoffered at our Campbell campus only.This degree program offers a strong foundation in basic counselingtheory and practice. The program combines theoreticaland experiential learning modalities and emphasizes personalgrowth and development. Students engage in self-reflectionthroughout the program, particularly in understanding therole of the family system in shaping their attitudes, beliefs,behaviors, and way of relating with others. Core courseworkallows students an opportunity to develop awareness of theirown process while developing counseling, interpersonal, andcommunication skills. Students also explore the integrationof body, mind, emotions, and spirit in their work, throughcourses in body-oriented psychotherapies, transpersonalcounseling, and Jungian psychology.Transpersonal therapists address many of the same clientissues and utilize many of the same methods as moretraditionally oriented therapists. However, transpersonaltherapists also incorporate into their work an emphasis on thetherapist’s quality of presence and authenticity, an opennessto non-ordinary states of consciousness, and a trust in theclient’s innate health and inner guiding wisdom. They mayalso utilize some form of meditation, yoga, breath awareness,or imagery methods. The coursework in transpersonalpsychology deepens students’ knowledge of the role ofmeditation, dreams, archetypes, myth, and ritual in fosteringpsychological and spiritual well-being.Somatic psychology courses investigate the ways emotions,attitudes, and beliefs become embodied in one’s physicalstructure, posture, expression, or voice. Movement seminarsexplore the reciprocal relationship between movement andthe psyche. Students learn to utilize movement and bodymeditation techniques, to work through emotional andenergetic blocks, and to cultivate body-mind-spirit integration.Students are encouraged to pursue both spiritual practicesand somatic disciplines as a foundation for their work withothers.Performance Review and EvaluationFollowing admission there is an ongoing evaluation ofstudents’ academic performance and readiness to continue inthe program. When an evaluation indicates that a student’sperformance falls below the standards of the counselingpsychology program, a student may be required to takeadditional coursework, complete additional supervised fieldexperience, undertake personal growth work, take a leave ofabsence, or withdraw from the program.After one year in the program and completion of thecourses listed below, students are given a year-end progressreview. This year-end review is a supportive team processinvolving the review of written faculty feedback andevaluation, overall grade standing, and an assessment of theindividual’s overall readiness to proceed with the CounselingPsychology program. All students entering the Master of Artsin Counseling Psychology with a specialization in holisticstudies are required to demonstrate their ability to write awell-developed, coherent essay. Students who cannot writea well-developed, coherent essay will be required to take anon-credit writing workshop.124 SCHOOL OF HOLISTIC STUDIESJOHN F. KENNEDY UNIVERSITY