Law and Ethics

Ethical and legal issues in behavioral research with human subjects, counseling and psychotherapy, and psychological testing will be discussed. Issues pertaining to both the ethical and legal liabilities and responsibilities issues in research with human subjects and provision of clinical services are covered. Legal aspects of professional competence, licensing, confidentiality, informed consent, recruitment of subjects for research and advertising of services will be reviewed.

Consciousness Studies

This course draws upon investigations and models concerning the nature, types and levels of consciousness, drawn from religion, yoga, mysticism, spirituality, shamanism, Jungian psychology, and parapsychology. It also explores the nature of transcendent consciousness, or super consciousness from spiritual traditions, as well as the practices used in the various traditions to attain these states.

Psychotherapy Approach & Strategies

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the field of psychotherapy by exploring the theories, techniques, applications, and samples of case studies of major approaches to psychotherapy. A wide range of therapeutic modalities will be covered in class: psychoanalysis, Jungian and Adlerian therapies, person-centered and rational emotive behavior therapies, behavior and cognitive therapies, gestalt and existential psychotherapies, constructivist approaches, family and integrative therapies, and various other psychotherapies. In addition to that, analysis, comparison and critique of different psychotherapeutic approaches and modalities and their critical examination from a variety of perspectives will be offered to students.

Study of East & West: Metaphysics and Healing

This course focuses on the metaphysical beliefs and healing practices of Eastern religious traditions and their application in Western psychotherapy and holistic health. An integration of Eastern and Western philosophy in practice provides a blend of spirituality and depth psychology allowing for integrative healing and metaphysical learning. East-West theory is also a key foundation of Ken Wilbur’s Integral Psychology, included in the learning materials and assignments as well as discussions on gender differences in interpretation of spirituality and healing. Meditation and spiritual practice utilizing Eastern, Western and Middle-Eastern breathing techniques will provide an experiential learning element throughout the course.

Aging

This course will offer an examination of psychological, socio-economic, and political aspects of aging, long-term care, and bereavement. The multidisciplinary perspective adopted within the framework of the course will focus on a wide spectrum of social gerontology issues:

-concepts of active aging and resiliency;

-shifts in the economic context in which we age;

-social, health, and long-term care policies and programs;

-research findings and critiques on extending both years and quality of life;

-evidence-based findings on health and long-term care;

-recent developments in the areas of preventing, diagnosing, and treating depression and dementias;

-research on the benefits of health promotion and spirituality in achieving and maintaining active aging;

-evolution of newer models of community-based long-term care;

-psychological examination of the issues of death, dying, bereavement, and widowhood;

-culturally competent methods to understand and meet the needs of the diverse older population;

-and other relevant issues.

Taking into account latest research findings, the course will offer greater depth to critical issues of aging, attending to differences by age and cohort, gender, ethnic minority status, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.